THE PHANTOM ZONE
THE PHANTOM ZONE
Everything known about DC's prison dimension for Superman's worst enemies. Comics, Smallville, the Arrowverse, Man of Steel and the DC Universe, all in one place.
TOP TAKEAWAYS53%of the antimatter article's 59 themes match clearly (31 themes). 61% with partial matches.
PrisonThe Zone is a prison in every version.
Pocket worldA hidden dimension in subspace, between the light and dark Multiverse.
Time stopsNo aging inside. Kara spent 24 years there and did not age.
No bodyPrisoners lose their bodies and become phantoms or wraiths.
PossessionWraiths take hosts. The host gains their powers.
Family keysOnly House of El blood opens the exits.
8 newMatches that neither the Shadow Beings nor Elementals article had.
83Themes across 5 versions: comics, Smallville, Arrowverse, Man of Steel and DC Universe.
Tap any picture to enlarge it.
SECTION 1 - WHAT THE ZONE ISWhat it is, where it came from, who rules it, and what it is like inside.PART 1 - WHAT IT IS
ComicsAn interdimensional realm outside normal space and time. It is timeless. It is a vast expanse of near-nothingness. It is the permeable membrane between the light side of the DC Multiverse and the Dark Multiverse. It is also the projection of a living mind that belongs to a god-like being called Aethyr.
ComicsDescribed as "another dimension," the ultimate purgatory of punishment and exile. A timeless sensory deprivation tank that, in time, will drive any prisoner mad.
SmallvilleA timeless prison dimension reached through a wormhole. Jor-El created it. Before Krypton was destroyed, he sent many of the worst criminals from 28 galaxies there. Many were mass murderers. Chloe's name for it: an alien Alcatraz.
ArrowverseA pocket dimension that works as an interdimensional prison. A region of space where time stands still and extremely little escapes.
Man of Steel / DCEUA plane of existence in subspace. Kryptonians use it as a prison for the most evil, malevolent and corrupted beings. It can only be reached with the Phantom Zone projector, designed by Thinker Guild scientist Jor-El.
DC UniverseA pocket dimension in subspace. Used by the Kryptonians, the Vanguard and the Guardians of the Universe to imprison criminals. Reached through a projector.
Comic art: prisoners swirl in a vortex above Aethyr's giant face.PART 2 - WHERE IT CAME FROM
In the real world
In the story
Stills
A portal to the Phantom Zone opens in space, with a bright blast on the right.
First seen in Adventure Comics #283 in 1961. Created by Robert Bernstein and George Papp.
ComicsBefore the ZoneKrypton's prison system sentenced criminals to suspended animation.
ComicsJor-El's discoveryJor-El discovered the Zone and offered it as a more humane prison. He had little understanding of how it worked inside.
ComicsThe projectorHe built a projection device that sent people in and pulled them out. A black button sent prisoners in. A white button brought them out.
SmallvilleJor-El made itThe Zone was created by the Kryptonian scientist Jor-El.
Comics - later revealThe UnderworldIt was later revealed that the Phantom Zone is the mythical "Underworld," home to Hades, Annwn, Erishkagal and Pluto.
A portal to the Phantom Zone opens in space, with a bright blast on the right.PART 3 - WHO RULES IT
ComicsAethyr, "The Oversoul"A god-like being who exists only in the Zone. The only native inhabitant. The enigmatic, powerful being whose mind is the Zone. All things in its deepest reaches are subject to his whim. All cause and effect inside happens at his whim. While he sleeps, prisoners never age, die or escape, and consciousness survives without a body. When he wakes, the Zone becomes a place of living nightmares. Anyone who breaches the walls and tears the fabric of his mind without permission earns his ire and cannot go unpunished. Anyone who enters his domain uninvited loses the line between their own existence and his. In the Earth-One comics, Superman and Quex-Ul both ceased to exist this way, and their spiritual force was to be merged with the Oversoul for all eternity.
ArrowverseThe PhantomsThe Zulian Maletarians were banished there for plotting to take over various planets. Over time they became the new rulers of the dimension and were known as the Phantoms.
Smallville - Season 10ZodDarkseid offered Zod dominion over the Zone if he killed Clark. Zod's wraith took over Major Zod's body and gained his memories. He pulled the crystal from the El gateway console, ruled the Zone and staged fights between prisoners.
SmallvilleDarkseid's holdDarkseid could phase in and out of the Zone. The impure hearts of its inhabitants gave him a hold over the realm.
Comic panel: the beast spews soul-devouring flame as Superman dives into the skull of the beast.PART 4 - INSIDE THE ZONE
Comics rules
Smallville - what it looks like
Smallville - the rules
Smallville - the phantoms
Arrowverse
Stills
Dark spires rising from a pale, misty wasteland.
A wraith's hand clamps over Superman's eyes.
A glowing red crystal cluster.
Three hooded wraiths crouch on a ridge.
A wraith leaps at a man in a red jacket.
Two figures watch a ship hover over an orange, rocky landscape.
No bodyPeople who enter are no longer physical. They exist only as psychic phantasms of themselves.
Mind staysMinds and personalities stay whole. But they cannot touch anyone or speak.
TelepathyAll communication is telepathic.
ImmortalThe Zone is outside space and time. No aging, no illness. No sleep, food or air needed.
The landA desert wasteland under a blue sun that never sets. No native plants or animals.
The sightsA river of blood runs through it. Rocky roads, caverns and caves.
Powers lostKryptonians, including Clark, Kara and Zod, lose their powers inside. They get them back in yellow sunlight after leaving.
TimeTime has no meaning. Exiles do not visibly age or die of natural causes. Raya had not aged.
WraithsSome prisoners, like Zod, lose their bodies and become non-physical wraiths. Others, like Gloria, Aldar and Titan, kept their bodies.
BreathingLois could breathe even though the portal opened in outer space.
What they areWraith-like spirits. They roam with no control and attack with little warning. Mostly insubstantial, but they can cut, rip and grab.
Driven offOnly Raya's Crystal of El could drive them away inside the Zone.
PossessionOutside the Zone they have no body. They can possess a host at will. The host gains the phantom's original powers. The powers vanish when the phantom leaves.
Forced outA Crystal of El or a similar device, like the red crystal, forces a phantom out of its host.
ZonersChloe's word for escaped prisoners and phantoms. Many followed Clark back to Earth.
Time does not pass. Very little escapes. Kara did not age during her 24 years inside.
Dark spires rising from a pale, misty wasteland.A wraith's hand clamps over Superman's eyes.A glowing red crystal cluster.Three hooded wraiths crouch on a ridge.A wraith leaps at a man in a red jacket.Two figures watch a ship hover over an orange, rocky landscape.PART 1 - WAYS IN
Comics, Arrowverse, Man of Steel, DC Universe
Smallville
Stills
A small ship drawn toward a glowing vortex.
A man pressed against the glass of a crystal shard drifting in space.
A blue portal opens in the floor and pulls Superman into the Phantom Zone.
A man in dark clothes is pulled into a blue ring portal.
Three faces trapped inside a crystal shard in space.
A ring of water opens in a room with shuttered windows.
A triangle of light opens over a planet.
The projectorThe main way in. In the Arrowverse, Lex Luthor used it in 2020 to trap Kara.
Whole placesIn the Arrowverse, the Kryptonian prison Fort Rozz was sent in with all its prisoners.
Phantom driveA phantom drive on a starship lets it travel instantly anywhere by briefly passing through the Zone. Zod's Black Zero and Kal-El's infant ship had them.
Colliding drivesWhen two phantom drives collide, they open a brief portal that looks like a singularity. It pulls in anything that has touched the Zone's sapphire-blue energy.
Crystal shard (most common)The victim is sealed in a square crystal bearing their face. Inside it looks like a clear room. In space, the floor drops and the prisoner falls down a tunnel into the Zone. Powers are cancelled and the being becomes mortal.
BraceletsMade by Jor-El on Krypton. The Disciples of Zod had them. A bracelet is thrown, becomes a circular portal, pulls in its victims, then turns into a crystal that flies into space. One was engraved with Zod's symbol. Kara also had a silver cuff bracelet.
Black crystalBrainiac had Clark place it in the Fortress of Solitude console to open a portal and free Zod. Clark later tried to use it to send Davis Bloome, and Doomsday, into the Zone.
Crystal of KnowledgeLike the Fortress, it can open portals. It was reprogrammed to send Clark in. Lois was touching him, so she went too.
Trap crystalsThe Crystal of El and the Martian crystal could trap only phantoms with no body. Clark later got a second crystal that could send people with bodies.
A small ship drawn toward a glowing vortex.A man pressed against the glass of a crystal shard drifting in space.A blue portal opens in the floor and pulls Superman into the Phantom Zone.A man in dark clothes is pulled into a blue ring portal.Three faces trapped inside a crystal shard in space.A ring of water opens in a room with shuttered windows.A triangle of light opens over a planet.PART 2 - WAYS OUT
Comics
Arrowverse
Smallville - from outside
Smallville - from inside (House of El)
Smallville - who can come back
Stills
Spires leaning together over the wasteland, with bright light between them.
Two women stand before a bright triangle of light between the spires.
A prisoner who has served their sentence can be released. Superman freed Ak-Var, who then joined his fellow Kryptonians in the Bottled City of Kandor.
Kara pulled Fort Rozz out with her as she left the Zone.
Indigo revealed she had put herself into Kara's pod and restarted its engines, which let the pod leave the Zone.
Fortress of SolitudeBrainiac used it twice. The first try nearly freed Zod's wraith until Clark pulled the black crystal. The second worked, and Zod possessed Lex Luthor.
Crystal of KnowledgeChloe reprogrammed it, using abilities Brainiac gave her, to free Kara and Clark. It ran on a frequency generator Oliver stole from Tess Mercer.
House of El gatewayOnly a member of the House of El can run it. It sends the user anywhere they choose and pulls in nearby people and phantoms. Clark's and Kara's escapes let phantoms loose on Earth. Clark's exit opened high in the sky, and the escapees fell in bursts of energy that left craters.
Altar and master crystalThe altar needs a master crystal as its key. Clark destroyed the master crystal, which changed the time difference between the Zone and Earth.
Jor-El's backdoorA hidden exit Jor-El built for his family. It can be seen from inside but needs the blood of a House of El member. Raya showed it to Clark.
Zor-El's gatewayBuilt by Jor-El's brother and hidden in a cave. Only his family knew of it. Kara refused to use it at first, so she would not repeat Clark's mistake of releasing prisoners. She later opened it so Lois could return.
Phantom prisonersPeople like Zod and Baern can be sent back with the Crystal of El without harming their host.
Prisoners with bodiesPeople like Gloria, Aldar and Titan kept their bodies. The Crystal of El could not send them back. With no bracelet available, they had to be killed.
Spires leaning together over the wasteland, with bright light between them.Two women stand before a bright triangle of light between the spires.PART 1 - TIMELINES BY VERSION
Comics (New Earth)
Man of Steel / DC Extended Universe
Arrowverse
Smallville
DC Universe
1Jax-Ur, a former colleague of Jor-El, is the first exile. He destroyed Krypton's moon Wegthor and killed more than 500 lunar colonists.
2The Kryptonian Science Council starts exiling the planet's worst criminals. The most famous is the military insurrectionist General Zod.
3Jor-El learns Krypton will explode from geological instability. He proposes moving the whole population into the Zone. He never gets the chance or the approval. Everyone on Krypton dies.
4The exiles survive and do not learn of the destruction for years. Several escape under Zod, reach Earth and fight Kal-El, Jor-El's son.
1Zod and his Sword of Rao loyalists try to seize Krypton. They murder Jor-El, High Eminence Ro-Zar and others.
2The Sapphire Guards capture them. High Eminence Lor-Em sentences them to 300 cycles of "somatic reconditioning" in the Zone for murder and high treason. They are frozen in cryocapsules, loaded on the Black Zero and sent through the projector.
3Krypton explodes soon after. The Black Zero is freed, and Zod and his followers with it.
4With help from the scientist Jax-Ur, Zod turns the projector into a phantom drive for the Black Zero. The Sword of Rao searches for Kal-El, the stolen Growth Codex and a planet to terraform.
5After 33 years, they follow a Kryptonian beacon to Earth. They plan to make it a New Krypton using the World Engine from the Daxam colonial outpost.
6The US military uses Superman's infant ship as a bomb against the Black Zero. The two phantom drives collide and open a portal to the Zone.
7Faora-Ul is about to kill everyone aboard a USAF C-17. Colonel Nathan Hardy flies the plane into the Black Zero. The plane, the Black Zero and everyone within reach are pulled into the Zone. Only Lois, Superman and Zod escape.
1The Green Martians banish Malefic J'onzz, Midnight and some White Martians to the Zone.
2Fort Rozz, a maximum-security Kryptonian prison, is banished there with all its prisoners, including Astra and Non. The date is not given.
31979: Krypton explodes. Zor-El and Alura send their daughter Kara toward Earth. The shock wave knocks her pod off course into the Zone. Zor-El tries to save himself and is trapped there too.
424 years later, Kara arrives on Earth and pulls Fort Rozz out with her. She has not aged.
5About 36 years after that, Indigo reveals she had put herself into Kara's pod and restarted its engines.
62019: The Monitor releases Malefic J'onzz, who releases Midnight. Supergirl traps Midnight again with the projector.
72020: Lex Luthor uses the projector to trap Kara. She is reunited with her father and the Imp Nyxlygsptlnz. The Superfriends free them.
Season 5The Disciples of Zod try to force Clark to free Zod. Aethyr throws a bracelet to trap Clark. Clark resists and traps the Disciples instead. The vortex becomes a crystal shard that flies into space. Months later, Brainiac opens a portal through the Fortress, and Clark and Chloe stop Zod and Brainiac. Milton Fine (Brainiac) then uses Lex as Zod's vessel. Zod throws a bracelet that traps Clark, who drifts through space.
Season 6Clark lands in the desert with no powers and is attacked by creatures. Raya, Jor-El's assistant, rescues him and explains the Zone and the gateway. The Disciples ambush them. Raya stabs Nam-Ek and gives Clark her crystal. Clark's bloody hand opens the portal, and prisoners escape with him. Clark recaptures Zod. He uses the Crystal of El on Baern, which destroys the crystal but locks Baern up again. The Martian Manhunter uses his red crystal to pull Dr. Hudson's wraith out of Clark's mind and lock it up again.
Season 7Brainiac impersonates Kara for weeks. When he explodes, the real Kara is seen trapped in the Zone's prison disc, spinning through space.
Season 8Kara spends over a day in the Zone and becomes a feral, independent warrior. She finds her father's gateway but refuses to use it, so she will not repeat Kal-El's mistake of escaping with company. After the Fortress collapses, Lois finds the Crystal of Knowledge on the Kent porch. When Clark takes it, a vortex pulls both of them in. They find a dead body. A cloaked figure, Kara, attacks and knocks Lois out. Kara agrees to open Zor-El's gateway for Lois. While Clark guards it, Faora's wraith crosses over and mortally wounds Kara. Chloe reopens the Crystal of Knowledge to make a return portal. John Jones's crystal pulls Faora out of Lois and sends her back.
Season 10Clark uses the Crystal of El to send Slade Wilson to the Zone. Darkseid makes his deal with Zod, who takes over Major Zod's body and rules the Zone. Before Clark and Oliver get out, the entrance is destroyed, leaving Zod and the other prisoners stranded. Tess says Clark knew the risks and he and Oliver are on their own. She says leaving Clark there would keep the wraiths from escaping.
1The Phantom Zone projector falls into Superman's hands. He keeps it safe among his belongings in the Fortress of Solitude.
2After defeating Darkseid and recovering the Chaos Shard, the Defenders of Earth tour the Fortress and see the projector. With precautions, they may use it to view the Zone, but not to enter it.
3Appears in: the Supergirl film (mentioned, plus a deleted scene), the series Lanterns (mentioned) and the game Superman Experience: Defenders Unite.
PART 2 - WHO IS IN THERE
ComicsJax-Ur (first exile). General Zod (most famous). Ak-Var (released by Superman, went to Kandor).
Man of SteelThe Sword of Rao, Zod's loyalists, imprisoned as a group. Colonel Nathan Hardy, the USAF pilot, and Dr. Emil Hamilton, a DARPA scientist. Both were killed. Zod, Lois and Superman escaped.
ArrowverseAstra and Non (Fort Rozz). The Zulian Maletarians, now the Phantoms. Malefic J'onzz and Midnight. White Martians. Kara and Zor-El. The Imp Nyxlygsptlnz.
SmallvilleZod, Faora (Zod's wife), Baern, Nam-Ek, Gloria, Aldar, Titan, Dr. Hudson's wraith, Slade Wilson. Raya, Jor-El's assistant, lives there. Clark, Kara and Lois were also pulled in.
PART 3 - SMALLVILLE EPISODE MAP
BloodlineThe land of the Zone. The Crystal of Knowledge trap. Chloe's alien Alcatraz line.
Zod and FalloutPhantom possession. Raya had not aged.
Arrival and VesselThe Phantom Zone bracelet portal.
Solitude and BeastThe black crystal portal. The attempt to send Doomsday into the Zone.
ReunionChloe and Clark joke about "escaped super-criminals from the Phantom Zone." Where "Zoners" starts.
DominionZod rules the Zone. The entrance is destroyed. Tess's line.
PART 1 - THE THEMES, IN PLAIN TERMS
83Themes
11Groups
1 All versionsIt is a prisonBuilt to hold the worst criminals. Chloe calls it an alien Alcatraz.
2 Comics, Arrowverse, Man of Steel, DC UniverseA hidden pocket worldA small separate dimension outside normal space, tucked into subspace.
3 ComicsThe skin between two sidesThe thin membrane between the light side of the Multiverse and the Dark Multiverse.
4 ComicsA mind, not just a placeThe Zone is the projected mind of a god-like being, Aethyr.
5 ComicsThe UnderworldIt is the same place as the realms of Hades, Annwn, Erishkagal and Pluto.
6 Comics, SmallvilleEmpty and barrenNear-nothing with no matter, or a desert with no plants or animals under a blue sun that never sets.
7 SmallvilleA landscape of deathA river of blood, rocky roads, caverns and caves.
8 All versionsTime stands stillNo aging, no sickness, no death from old age. Time does not pass.
9 Arrowverse, SmallvilleInside time and outside time do not matchKara spent 24 years inside and did not age. Breaking the master crystal changed the time gap.
10 ComicsYears pass unseenPrisoners did not learn that Krypton had died for years.
11 Man of Steel, ComicsLong sentencesZod's group got 300 cycles of reconditioning.
12 Comics, SmallvilleThe body is lostYou become a psychic phantasm or a bodiless wraith.
13 ComicsThe mind staysMemory and personality stay whole.
14 ComicsNo speech, no touchYou cannot speak or touch. You only talk by telepathy.
15 ComicsNo needsNo sleep, no food and no air are needed. You are effectively immortal.
16 SmallvillePowers are switched offKryptonians lose their powers. A crystal shard makes the prisoner mortal.
17 ComicsMadnessDescribed as a timeless sensory deprivation tank that drives prisoners mad.
18 ComicsThe ruler's sleep decides the moodWhile Aethyr sleeps, prisoners are frozen and safe. When he wakes, it turns into living nightmares.
19 SmallvilleSome keep their bodiesPrisoners like Gloria, Aldar and Titan stayed physical.
20 ComicsOne native rulerAethyr is the only native inhabitant. Everything inside happens at his whim.
21 Arrowverse, SmallvilleThe prisoners take overThe Maletarians became the Phantoms and the new rulers. Zod later ruled it too.
22 SmallvilleA dark lord has a holdDarkseid can phase in and out. He offered Zod dominion over the Zone.
23 SmallvilleEvil feeds the placeThe impure hearts of the prisoners give Darkseid his hold.
24 SmallvilleGames for the rulerZod staged fights between prisoners.
25 ComicsWrath for intrudersBreaking through the walls without permission cannot go unpunished.
26 Comics, Man of SteelSentenced by councilsThe Science Council, the Council of Five and High Eminence Lor-Em hand out the sentences.
27 SmallvilleA deal with a dark lordDarkseid offered Zod dominion over the Zone if he killed Clark.
28 Comics, Arrowverse, Man of Steel, DC UniverseA device sends you inThe projector. A black button sends in. A white button brings out.
29 SmallvilleThe cage has your faceA crystal shard seals the victim inside and drops them into the Zone.
30 SmallvilleKeys worn on the wristBracelets turn into circular portals that pull their victims in.
31 SmallvilleCrystals are keysThe black crystal and the Crystal of Knowledge open portals.
32 Arrowverse, ComicsWhole places go inThe prison Fort Rozz was sent in with all its prisoners. Jor-El wanted to move all of Krypton in.
33 Man of SteelCrash into itTwo phantom drives colliding open a portal that pulls in anything touched by the Zone's energy.
34 Man of SteelPass through it to travelA phantom drive crosses the Zone to jump a ship anywhere.
35 ArrowverseAccidentsKara's pod was knocked into the Zone. Zor-El got trapped trying to escape the explosion.
36 Arrowverse, SmallvilleAnyone with a key can use itLex trapped Kara. Zod trapped Clark. Clark sent Slade Wilson in.
37 SmallvilleTouch and you go alongLois was touching Clark, so she was pulled in too. Gateways pull in anyone nearby.
38 SmallvilleOnly family can open itThe House of El gateway only works for a member of that house.
39 SmallvilleHidden doors from the makerJor-El built a hidden backdoor. His brother built a gateway in a cave.
40 SmallvilleBlood is the keyThe backdoor needs blood from the House of El. Clark's bloody hand opened the portal.
41 SmallvilleOpening it lets others outClark's and Kara's exits released phantoms. Kara refused to repeat that mistake at first.
42 Smallville, ArrowverseHelp from outsideThe Fortress and the Crystal of Knowledge pulled people out. So did the Superfriends and the Monitor.
43 ComicsRelease after a sentenceAk-Var was freed after serving his time.
44 Man of Steel, ArrowverseEscape by chanceKrypton's explosion freed the Black Zero. Indigo restarted Kara's pod.
45 Arrowverse, SmallvilleYou pull things out with youKara pulled Fort Rozz out. Gateways pull in nearby people and phantoms.
46 SmallvilleFalling out of the skyClark's exit opened high up. The escapees fell in bursts of energy that left craters.
47 SmallvilleDestroy the exit to keep them inThe entrance was destroyed, stranding Zod and the others.
48 SmallvilleSpirits that possessWraiths take hosts at will. The host gains the wraith's old powers.
49 SmallvilleNo body outsidePhantoms have no substance outside the Zone.
50 SmallvilleCrystals force them outThe Crystal of El and the red crystal drive a phantom out of its host.
51 SmallvilleComing back can cost a lifePrisoners with bodies could not be sent back and had to be killed.
52 SmallvilleEscapees get an edgeAt least four Zoners, including Zod, got past Kryptonian invulnerability to some degree.
53 SmallvilleZoners spreadMany followed Clark back to Earth.
54 SmallvilleMemories come with the hostZod's wraith took over Major Zod's body and gained his memories.
55 ComicsA kind prisonJor-El offered it as a more humane option than suspended animation.
56 ComicsThe builder did not fully understand itJor-El had little understanding of how it worked inside.
57 Comics, SmallvilleThe same tool saves and jailsJor-El proposed moving all of Krypton into it. He also built exits only his family could use.
58 ComicsThe prison outlives the worldKrypton exploded and the exiles survived.
59 Arrowverse, SmallvilleThe maker's family ends up insideKara, Zor-El, Clark and Lois all got trapped.
60 ComicsScientists and rebels go firstThe first exile was the scientist Jax-Ur. The most famous was General Zod.
61 Smallville, Man of SteelKillers and traitorsMass murderers from 28 galaxies. Zod's group got murder and high treason.
62 Comics, Man of SteelRulers' enemiesMilitary insurrectionists like Zod and his followers.
63 Man of Steel, Smallville, ArrowverseWhole armiesThe Sword of Rao went in as a group. So did the Disciples of Zod, the Phantoms and the Maletarians.
64 Arrowverse, Smallville, Man of SteelThe innocent get caughtKara, Lois, the pilot Hardy and his crew, and Dr. Emil Hamilton.
65 Arrowverse, SmallvilleOther races and worldsWhite Martians, Midnight, the Imp, and humans like Slade Wilson.
66 Man of Steel, Arrowverse, SmallvilleWomen in key rolesFaora, Alura, Kara and Astra.
67 Comics, Man of Steel, SmallvilleScientists and doctors as makersJor-El, Jax-Ur, Dr. Emil Hamilton and Dr. Hudson.
68 Man of Steel, SmallvilleSects and societiesThe Sword of Rao, the Disciples of Zod and the Thinker Guild.
69 SmallvilleCrystalsShards, the Crystal of El, the Crystal of Knowledge, the red, black, Martian and master crystals.
70 Smallville, Man of SteelBlue lightA blue sun that never sets. Sapphire-blue energy.
71 Smallville, Man of SteelRings and circlesBracelets become circular portals. Colliding drives make a singularity.
72 Smallville, ArrowverseFamily housesThe House of El. Jor-El, his brother Zor-El, and the families around them.
73 SeveralRepeating numbers28 galaxies. 300 cycles. 24 years. 33 years. About 36 years later. Over 500 colonists killed.
74 SeveralNames for itAlien Alcatraz. Ultimate purgatory. Sensory deprivation tank. Black hole for eternity. Underworld.
75 Comics, SmallvilleA dark lord behind the scenesDarkseid in Smallville. The Dark Multiverse in the comics.
76 ComicsBorn in 1961First seen in Adventure Comics #283. Created by Robert Bernstein and George Papp.
77 Man of Steel, SmallvilleCounted groupsThe Council of Five and the 28 galaxies.
78 SmallvilleWord linksThe Smallville episode "Beast," and Doomsday sent toward the Zone.
79 SmallvillePosing as someone elseBrainiac posed as Kara for weeks.
80 Man of Steel, SmallvilleHunting one targetThe Sword of Rao hunted Kal-El. Zod hunted Clark.
81 SmallvilleA hero side against a wrecking sideClark and Kara stand against Zod.
82 Comics, Man of SteelA chosen oneKal-El, the Last Son of Krypton.
83 SmallvilleWon by a counterThe Crystal of El counters phantoms. Chloe reprogrammed the Crystal of Knowledge.
PART 2 - PHANTOM ZONE VS THE ANTIMATTER ARTICLE
59Themes in the antimatter article
31Clear matches in the Phantom Zone (53%)
5Partial matches
23No match
61%Matched, clear plus partial (36 of 59)
19Most themes any single antimatter example hits (Night's Dawn Trilogy)
Read the full article: Antimatter article
Shadow Beings article40 of 59 antimatter themes match (68%).
Phantom Zone, all versions together31 of 59 match clearly (53%). With the partial matches, 36 of 59 (61%).
Elementals article26 of 59 antimatter themes match (44%).
Closest case file in the antimatter articleFantastic Four: The Negative Zone hits 13 themes. The top single example, Night's Dawn Trilogy, hits 19. The Phantom Zone hits 31 clearly.
16Phantom Zone matches that are also in both Shadow Beings and Elementals.
5Also in Shadow Beings only.
2Also in Elementals only.
8In neither article. These are new from the Phantom Zone.
MATCH 13 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsBeasts and MonstersCreatures attack Clark in the Zone. Wraiths roam and attack with little warning.
NO MATCHBats (8), Cat Beings (6), Dogs (6), Tentacle, Insect and Serpent Beings (6), Dragons (4)
MATCH 17 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsFemale VillainsFaora, Astra and Midnight.
MATCH 11 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsConverted to Cross OverPrisoners lose their bodies and become wraiths. Wraiths cross into hosts.
MATCH 12 in antimatter Also in ElementalsDoctors and ProfessorsJor-El, Jax-Ur, Dr. Emil Hamilton and Dr. Hudson.
NO MATCHEyes (8), Transhuman and Dystopia (6), Made Through People (18)
MATCH 23 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsEntities, Spirits and DemonsAethyr, the phantoms and wraiths, and Darkseid.
MATCH 15 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsAncient EvilZod's army is sealed away, then let loose. Darkseid offers Zod dominion. Aethyr, the ancient god-like being, punishes anyone who breaks into his mind.
MATCH 11 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsArtifacts of PowerThe Crystal of El, the Crystal of Knowledge, the bracelets and the master crystal.
MATCH 10 in antimatter Also in Shadow BeingsShadow Beings and RealmsHooded wraiths and phantoms in a realm outside normal space.
MATCH 8 in antimatter Also in Shadow BeingsPersonifiedAethyr. The Zone is a being's own mind.
MATCH 54 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsMultiverse and Pocket WorldsA pocket dimension in subspace. The skin between the light and Dark Multiverse.
PARTIAL 33 in antimatter Also in Shadow BeingsMirror DoubleThe Zone sits between the light side and the dark side of the Multiverse.
MATCH 21 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsHidden PlaceA hidden pocket dimension. Hidden backdoors built by Jor-El and Zor-El.
MATCH 21 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsTime Runs DifferentlyTime stands still inside. The time gap with Earth changed when the master crystal broke.
PARTIAL 13 in antimatter Also in Shadow BeingsTouch = BoomTwo phantom drives colliding open a portal. Inside, phantasms cannot touch.
MATCH 10 in antimatter Also in Shadow BeingsThe VoidNear-nothingness. A black hole for eternity.
MATCH 24 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsWhole Worlds LostKrypton is destroyed. So is its moon Wegthor.
PARTIAL 13 in antimatter Also in Shadow BeingsSecret or Hidden LabThe Fortress of Solitude holds the projector. Jor-El's backdoor is hidden.
MATCH 11 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsPrison or BarrierThe whole Zone is a prison.
PARTIAL 25 in antimatter In neither articleDanger in HandlingReleasing prisoners by mistake. Jor-El had little understanding of how it worked.
MATCH 15 in antimatter In neither articleLeverage and ControlLocked down by sentences from the Science Council, the Council of Five and High Eminence Lor-Em. Darkseid's deal.
MATCH 6 in antimatter In neither articleStolen or VaultedThe projector is kept safe in the Fortress. The Growth Codex was stolen.
MATCH 5 in antimatter In neither articleDoom and DoomsdayClark tried to send Doomsday into the Zone. The comics precedent is Doomsday killing Superman.
NO MATCHMagnetic Containment (8)
MATCH 10 in antimatter Also in Shadow BeingsMoonsThe moon Wegthor is destroyed.
MATCH 40 in antimatter In neither articleShipsThe Black Zero, Kal-El's infant ship and Kara's pod.
MATCH 9 in antimatter In neither articleBlack Holes and WormholesReached through a wormhole. A black hole for eternity. A singularity portal.
NO MATCHStation, Satellite or Orbit (19), Asteroids, Comets and Meteors (7)
MATCH 28 in antimatter Also in Shadow BeingsInvasion and Crossing OverPortals and gateways. Zod's invasion. Zoners crossing to Earth.
MATCH 25 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsMind TakeoverWraiths possess hosts and the hosts gain their powers.
MATCH 21 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsInfection and AbsorptionPhantoms spread through hosts. Many Zoners followed Clark back.
NO MATCHMutants and Mutation (7), Body Cost (3)
MATCH 9 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsRitual, Sacrifice or CultThe Disciples of Zod and the Sword of Rao. Blood opens the gateway.
NO MATCHSound (10), Statues (4), Irish Link (17)
MATCH 6 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsSand, Dust and GrainsA desert wasteland.
NO MATCHGas, Mist and Plasma (10), Water (8), Plants, Spores and Gardens (5), Heat and Cold (4), Gold (4)
MATCH 8 in antimatter Also in Shadow Beings and ElementalsAlien or Ancient SourceKrypton. The ancient god-mind Aethyr.
MATCH 8 in antimatter In neither articleFound in NatureJor-El discovered the Zone.
NO MATCHPositron Nod (8), Free Energy Promise (7)
MATCH 31 in antimatter Also in ElementalsSpecial Devices and ToolsThe projector, the bracelets, the crystals and the phantom drive.
PARTIAL 61 in antimatter In neither articleBombs, Beams and WeaponsSuperman's infant ship used as a makeshift bomb. A C-17 flown into the Black Zero.
MATCH 43 in antimatter In neither articleEngines and ReactorsThe phantom drive.
MATCH 10 in antimatter In neither articleMachines and AIIndigo put herself into Kara's pod and restarted its engines.
Leverage and Control (15)Locked down by sentences from the Science Council, the Council of Five and High Eminence Lor-Em. Darkseid's deal.
Stolen or Vaulted (6)The projector is kept safe in the Fortress. The Growth Codex was stolen.
Doom and Doomsday (5)Clark tried to send Doomsday into the Zone. The comics precedent is Doomsday killing Superman.
Ships (40)The Black Zero, Kal-El's infant ship and Kara's pod.
Black Holes and Wormholes (9)Reached through a wormhole. A black hole for eternity. A singularity portal.
Found in Nature (8)Jor-El discovered the Zone.
Engines and Reactors (43)The phantom drive.
Machines and AI (10)Indigo put herself into Kara's pod and restarted its engines.
Blood is the keyThe backdoor needs House of El blood. Clark's bloody hand opened the portal.
Only family can open itThe House of El gateway, Jor-El's backdoor and Zor-El's gateway all work for the family.
Doors built by the makerThe same maker built the prison and its hidden exits.
Release after a sentenceA prisoner who served time can be let out, like Ak-Var.
The prisoners take overThe Phantoms rule the Zone. Zod ruled it too.
A kind prisonJor-El offered it as a more humane option than suspended animation.
The same tool saves and jailsJor-El proposed moving all of Krypton into it.
The prison outlives the worldKrypton exploded and the exiles survived.
The ruler's sleep sets the moodAethyr asleep means stillness. Aethyr awake means nightmares.
Powers switched offKryptonians lose their powers inside and get them back in yellow sunlight.
The cage has your faceA crystal shard seals the victim inside.
Posing as someone elseBrainiac posed as Kara for weeks.
Hunting one targetThe Sword of Rao hunted Kal-El. Zod hunted Clark.
A hero side against a wrecking sideClark and Kara stand against Zod.
A chosen oneKal-El, the Last Son of Krypton.
Won by a counterThe Crystal of El counters phantoms.
Memories come with the hostZod's wraith gained Major Zod's memories.
Counted groupsThe Council of Five and the 28 galaxies.
PART 3 - PHANTOM ZONE VS THE SHADOW BEINGS ARTICLE
126Themes in the Shadow Beings article
46Clear matches in the Phantom Zone (37%)
19Partial matches
61No match
52%Matched, clear plus partial (65 of 126)
Read the full article: The Shadow Beings
The Phantom Zone is one of its 15 shadow and nether realmsIt is listed as a parallel dimension that serves as a prison for extradimensional beings.
It appears in 3 of the 13 realm traitsPrison, time, and void.
The realm and the beings inside it are scored separatelyThe 13 realm traits compare the place itself: 10 of 13 clear matches.Look and Form compares the beings inside: 3 clear and 3 partial out of 23.
MATCH 13 realmsPrison for banished or sealed beingsThe Zone is a prison for banished and sealed beings.
MATCH 8 realmsHell, the underworld, or the realm of the deadIt is the Underworld of Hades, Annwn, Erishkagal and Pluto.
MATCH 6 realmsTime runs differently or means nothingTime stands still inside.
PARTIAL 6 realmsA mirror or copy of our worldIt sits between the light and dark sides of the Multiverse.
MATCH 7 realmsDrained of light, color, or lifeBarren, with no matter, plants or animals.
NO MATCH 6 realmsElements (fire, water, lava, chi)
MATCH 6 realmsVoid, nothingness, and antimatterNear-nothingness. A black hole for eternity.
MATCH 5 realmsA nexus, or a link to other realitiesThe membrane between the light and Dark Multiverse.
MATCH 10 realmsPortals, gates, and keysBracelets, crystals, projector and gateways.
MATCH 7 realmsA ruler or a makerAethyr rules it. Jor-El made the prison.
MATCH 4 realmsLeaks into our worldZoners and phantoms escape to Earth.
MATCH 6 realmsBeings and objects kept therePrisoners, and Fort Rozz.
PARTIAL 2 realmsAnimals and beasts live thereCreatures attack Clark in the Zone.
PARTIAL 8 in the article Black coats, cloaks and hatsA cloaked figure, Kara, attacks Lois in Smallville.
MATCH 8 in the article Takes the form of someone you knowBrainiac impersonates Kara for weeks.
PARTIAL 7 in the article True form unknown or no fixed formPrisoners become psychic phantasms and bodiless wraiths.
PARTIAL 8 in the article Swarms and shadow animalsCreatures and wraiths roam and attack.
MATCH 2 in the article Transparent or fading bodiesPhantoms are mostly insubstantial and have no substance outside the Zone.
MATCH 5 in the article Sand, dust, ash or powderA desert wasteland.
NO MATCHSmoke, cloud or mist bodies (7), Eyes that stand out in the dark (12), Tendrils and tentacles (5), Spider-like legs (2), Giant size (3), Turns to liquid (3), Faceless (3), Wields a sword, blade or knife (8), Long fingers and claws (4), Can turn invisible (4), Jerky, animal-like movement (2), Devil imagery (8), A recolored copy of a hero (3), Shadow as blood (2), Cold and frost (7), Ink, tar or sludge (5), Animals and animal shapes (16)
PARTIAL 11 in the article A dark copy of a heroBrainiac poses as Kara.
PARTIAL 5 in the article Wants to replace or kill the originalBrainiac replaces Kara. Zod hunts Clark.
PARTIAL 5 in the article A mirror version of a world or placeThe Zone sits between the light and dark sides of the Multiverse.
NO MATCHMirrors and reflections (11), Shows who you secretly are (5), Dark siblings (3)
PARTIAL 9 in the article Born from human feelings or the dark side of a personImpure hearts give Darkseid his hold on the Zone.
PARTIAL 5 in the article A piece of something biggerThe Zone is a projection of Aethyr's mind.
MATCH 10 in the article Sealed away, then freedZod's army, Fort Rozz, the Phantoms and Midnight are sealed in, then freed.
MATCH 14 in the article A human mistake, machine or experiment lets it outClark's escape released prisoners. Brainiac used the Fortress.
PARTIAL 8 in the article Older than everything, or origin unknownAethyr is a god-like being. Jor-El only discovered the Zone.
MATCH 8 in the article A dark half paired with a light halfThe Zone sits between the light side and the Dark Multiverse.
MATCH 5 in the article A sympathetic startJor-El built a humane prison.
MATCH 4 in the article Youth, babies and staying youngPrisoners do not age inside.
MATCH 14 in the article Made of something other than normal matterThe Zone has no physical material. Prisoners are psychic phantasms.
MATCH 12 in the article Roots in older myths and culturesIt is the Underworld of Hades, Annwn, Erishkagal and Pluto.
MATCH 8 in the article Immortal, ageless or very oldNo aging, no sickness. Effectively immortal.
MATCH 7 in the article Sealed or asleep for a long span of yearsKara slept 24 years inside. Zod's group got 300 cycles.
NO MATCHMade on purpose by a villain (9), Chosen, destined or prophesied (4), A blade is the key, the curse or the source of power (6)
MATCH 15 in the article Takes over a bodyWraiths possess hosts at will.
PARTIAL 6 in the article Feeds on fear and nightmaresWhen Aethyr wakes, the Zone becomes living nightmares.
MATCH 8 in the article Madness and mind powersThe Zone drives prisoners mad. Communication is telepathic.
MATCH 7 in the article Travels through shadow or darknessA phantom drive travels by passing through the Zone.
MATCH 12 in the article Armies and clonesThe Sword of Rao and the Disciples of Zod.
MATCH 7 in the article Led by a boss or commanderZod leads his followers.
MATCH 10 in the article Hard to kill, it comes backZod returns again and again.
PARTIAL 14 in the article A shadow separate from its ownerPhantoms are spirits that act apart from their bodies.
MATCH 13 in the article Victims become one of them, or a servantAnyone sent in becomes a phantom or a wraith.
MATCH 6 in the article Host gets stronger or is changedThe host gains the phantom's powers.
PARTIAL 5 in the article Thoughts feed itImpure hearts give Darkseid his hold.
PARTIAL 5 in the article Time powersTime stands still inside the Zone.
MATCH 4 in the article Shadow treated as soul or true selfPrisoners are psychic phantasms of their true selves.
MATCH 4 in the article Mindless or cannot speakPrisoners cannot speak and use telepathy.
MATCH 6 in the article Lies and manipulationBrainiac impersonates Kara. Darkseid makes a deal.
PARTIAL 6 in the article Fusing and mergingA phantom joins a host.
MATCH 10 in the article Memories taken, used or lostZod's wraith gained Major Zod's memories.
MATCH 3 in the article Pulls victims downPortals and gateways pull victims in. A shard drops them through a tunnel.
MATCH 12 in the article Hunts one targetThe Sword of Rao hunted Kal-El. Zod hunted Clark.
MATCH 6 in the article Long-lived or immortalPrisoners are effectively immortal.
MATCH 4 in the article Cruel, calm and enjoying itZod staged fights between prisoners.
MATCH 7 in the article Worship and cultsThe Disciples of Zod and the Sword of Rao.
PARTIAL 7 in the article Counted parts and groupsThe Council of Five. 28 galaxies.
MATCH 15 in the article Obedient servantsThe Disciples serve Zod.
MATCH 5 in the article Time stopped, bent or outside timeTime stands still. The time gap with Earth changed.
MATCH 9 in the article Waiting, time limits and returnsSentences of 300 cycles. Years of waiting.
MATCH 2 in the article Brotherhoods and secret societiesThe Sword of Rao, the Disciples of Zod and the Thinker Guild.
NO MATCHLife is tied to its owner (6), Eats or takes souls and hearts (8), Seen only in dark or corner of eye (4), Host fights back (8), Shadow can be cut off or sewn back (4), Empty inside (7), Copies moves and gear (4), Take down the leader and the rest fall (3), Linked to fear of the dark (4), Sleep paralysis imagery (2), Dogs show up (4), Storms, lightning and blackouts (5), Cursed object takes over owner (2), Betrayal and turning on a master (12), Sound, voice and music (19), Love, hope or redemption beats them (6)
PARTIAL 5 in the article Cover the world in darknessZod planned to turn Earth into a New Krypton.
MATCH 10 in the article Not all of them are evilRaya helps Clark. Ak-Var was freed.
MATCH 7 in the article Rules a dark realmAethyr, the Phantoms and Zod rule the Zone.
PARTIAL 5 in the article Sleep and dreamsAethyr's sleep sets the mood. Kara slept 24 years.
NO MATCHRevenge (6), Put the pieces back together (5), Targets children (5), Against the gods (3)
MATCH 8 in the article A deal with the darkDarkseid's deal with Zod.
PARTIAL 15 in the article Summoned by ritual, spell or incantationBlood opens the gateway.
NO MATCHLoss opens the door (4), Offering yourself in someone's place (3)
MATCH 14 in the article Trapped in an object or placeA crystal shard seals the victim. The Zone itself traps.
MATCH 6 in the article A special weapon decides itThe Crystal of El decides the outcome.
MATCH 10 in the article A gate, door or tear in realityPortals, gateways and the hidden backdoor.
NO MATCHLight hurts or beats them (13), Fire and heat (4), Water, sea and salt (4), Face it, name it or accept it (4), Dark power hurts the one using it (7), Final boss (6), Beaten or sealed by a sword or blade (8)
MATCH 15 in the article A dark parallel realmA parallel prison dimension.
MATCH 7 in the article Below, under or hiddenThe Underworld and the hidden exits.
MATCH 14 in the article Linked to death and the afterlifeIt is the Underworld of Hades and Pluto.
PARTIAL 6 in the article The moon, eclipse and starsThe moon Wegthor was destroyed.
MATCH 8 in the article Many universes or parallel worldsIt sits between the Multiverse and the Dark Multiverse.
NO MATCHHospitals (2), Midnight and special nights (4)
MATCH 4 in the article The word beastThe Smallville episode "Beast" has Doomsday and the Zone.
MATCH 10 in the article Crystals, gems and stonesShards, the Crystal of El and the Crystal of Knowledge.
MATCH 13 in the article Women, mothers and queensFaora, Alura, Kara and Astra.
NO MATCHLovecraft keeps showing up (5), Names spelled backward (2), The number 13 (8), Literally called The Shadow (9), Titles like King, Queen or Lord (5), Masks (4), Statues, idols and tombstones (4)
PART 4 - PHANTOM ZONE VS THE ELEMENTALS ARTICLE
38Themes compared in the Elementals article
13Clear matches in the Phantom Zone (34%)
8Partial matches
17No match
55%Matched, clear plus partial (21 of 38)
Read the full article: Elementals
MatchesSealing, another dimension, a boss behind them, living inside people, cults, objects that hold power, technology, women in key places, doctors, the word beast and old myths.
No matchThe element side: four elements, groups of four, a fifth element, storms, disasters, water, Hyd- names and Titans. Also the number 13 and songs.
NO MATCHFour elements, Groups of four, A fifth or extra element, Air means lightning or storm, Merging into one, Disasters and chaos, Lords of chaos, Mutation, Shape-shifting
PARTIAL Ancient or primordialAethyr is a god-like being.
MATCH Sealed or locked awayPrisoners are locked in by a stronger power.
MATCH Another dimension or planeA pocket dimension in subspace.
NO MATCHTime travel
PARTIAL Lords, kings and princesRulers like Aethyr, Zod and High Eminence Lor-Em.
MATCH Servants and a boss behind themThe Disciples serve Zod. Darkseid stands behind him.
MATCH Released or summoned by a villainBrainiac freed Zod. Zod threw the bracelets.
MATCH Living inside peopleWraiths take hosts.
MATCH Cults and worshipThe Disciples of Zod and the Sword of Rao.
PARTIAL Betrayal and infightingZod staged fights between prisoners.
MATCH Objects that hold the powerCrystals and bracelets bind and release people.
MATCH Technology used on themThe projector and phantom drive trap and send people.
PARTIAL Masks and deceptionBrainiac poses as Kara.
NO MATCHAlchemy and the occult
PARTIAL Guardians vs destroyersClark and Kara against Zod.
MATCH Won by wits or by a counterThe Crystal of El counters phantoms. Chloe reprogrammed the Crystal of Knowledge.
PARTIAL A chosen oneKal-El, the Last Son of Krypton.
NO MATCHBalance and harmony, Water as guardian and balance
MATCH Female and mother figuresFaora, Alura and Kara.
PARTIAL A woman holds the sealKara opened Zor-El's gateway for Lois.
PARTIAL Replaced, revived or recycledBrainiac replaced Kara. Zod returns again and again.
MATCH Doctor / DRDr. Emil Hamilton and Dr. Hudson.
MATCH BeastsThe Smallville episode "Beast."
MATCH Old cultural rootsThe Underworld of Hades, Annwn, Erishkagal and Pluto.
NO MATCHThe number 13, The word Titans, Hyd- names, Songs, sound and music
PART 5 - PHANTOM ZONE VS THE BEEHIVE ARTICLE
19Themes in the Beehive article
7Clear matches in the Phantom Zone (37%)
2Partial matches
10No match
47%Matched, clear plus partial (9 of 19)
Read the full article: Beehive Dome Barrier
Antimatter articleClear matches: 31 of 59 (53%)With partial matches: 36 of 59 (61%)
Beehive articleClear matches: 7 of 19 (37%)With partial matches: 9 of 19 (47%)
MatchesThe barrier side: sealed walls, who rules inside, ways through, the barrier used as a weapon, one key piece, and circles.
No matchThe bee side: honeycomb, small parts, bee guards, a named hive. Also shields, turtle shells and flat walls.
PARTIAL 6 in the Beehive articleQueen and ColonyOne god-like mind, Aethyr, with the prisoners inside it.
NO MATCHHoneycomb Shown (9), Many Small Parts (6), Bees Do the Guarding (4), Named Hive (2)
MATCH 9 in the Beehive articleWalls That Close the AreaThe Zone is a sealed area. Its walls belong to Aethyr.
MATCH 6 in the Beehive articleShips and SpacecraftThe Black Zero, Kal-El's infant ship, Kara's pod and Fort Rozz.
NO MATCHBase and Ship Shields (3)
MATCH 5 in the Beehive articleVillains Run the HiveThe Maletarians became the Phantoms and rule the Zone. Zod ruled it in Smallville.
NO MATCHSpell, Skill or Power-Up (11), Enemies Hide Behind It (8)
PARTIAL 10 in the Beehive articleShows When HitTwo colliding phantom drives open a brief portal.
MATCH 6 in the Beehive articleA Way ThroughJor-El's hidden backdoor, Zor-El's gateway and the House of El gateway.
MATCH 5 in the Beehive articleShield Becomes a WeaponBracelets and the projector are used to trap enemies.
MATCH 2 in the Beehive articleOne Cell MattersOne master crystal is the altar's key. Breaking it changed the time gap.
NO MATCHReflect and Counter (3)
MATCH 6 in the Beehive articleDome, Bubble or CircleBracelets become circular portals. A crystal shard seals the victim inside.
NO MATCHFlat or Curved Wall (4), Turtle and Shell (2)
A cage the occupants may not know aboutThe Beehive article says the hive is often a cage or sealed arena. In the comics, the exiles did not learn Krypton was destroyed for years.
A mind behind itThe Beehive article says a queen or collective mind usually stands behind the hive. The Zone is the projection of Aethyr's mind.
It appears when hitThe Beehive article says the hive often shows only when hit or blocked. The Zone portal opens when two drives collide.
Arrow: H.I.V.E.The Beehive article lists it as live-action TV. The Phantom Zone appears in the same Arrowverse.
Phantom of M?The Beehive article lists this anime. It carries the Phantom name.
PART 6 - SUMMARY OF THE MATCHES
The scoreboardIn all four articles - 4 themesIn three of four - 6 themesIn two of four - 4 themesPartlyWhat it adds up to
Antimatter articleClear matches: 31 of 59 (53%)With partial matches: 36 of 59 (61%)
Shadow Beings articleClear matches: 46 of 126 (37%)With partial matches: 65 of 126 (52%)
Elementals articleClear matches: 13 of 38 (34%)With partial matches: 21 of 38 (55%)
Beehive articleClear matches: 7 of 19 (37%)With partial matches: 9 of 19 (47%)
Shadow Beings realm traitsClear matches: 10 of 13 (77%)With partial matches: 12 of 13 (92%)The Shadow Beings article already lists the Phantom Zone as one of its 15 realms.
Prison and sealingAntimatter: Prison or BarrierShadow Beings: Sealed away, then freed. Trapped in an object or place.Elementals: Sealed or locked awayBeehive: Walls That Close the Area
Gates and ways throughAntimatter: Invasion and Crossing Over. Special Devices and Tools.Shadow Beings: A gate, door or tear in realityElementals: Technology used on themBeehive: A Way Through
Crystals and key objectsAntimatter: Artifacts of PowerShadow Beings: Crystals, gems and stonesElementals: Objects that hold the powerBeehive: One Cell Matters
Ships and machinesAntimatter: Ships. Engines and Reactors.Shadow Beings: A human mistake, machine or experiment lets it outElementals: Technology used on themBeehive: Ships and Spacecraft
Another dimensionAntimatter: Multiverse and Pocket WorldsShadow Beings: A dark parallel realm. Many universes or parallel worlds.Elementals: Another dimension or planeBeehive: no match
PossessionAntimatter: Mind TakeoverShadow Beings: Takes over a bodyElementals: Living inside peopleBeehive: no match
A ruler or bossAntimatter: no matchShadow Beings: Rules a dark realm. Led by a boss or commander.Elementals: Servants and a boss behind themBeehive: Villains Run the Hive
Cults and followersAntimatter: Ritual, Sacrifice or CultShadow Beings: Worship and cultsElementals: Cults and worshipBeehive: no match
Women in key rolesAntimatter: Female VillainsShadow Beings: Women, mothers and queensElementals: Female and mother figuresBeehive: no match
The word beastAntimatter: Beasts and MonstersShadow Beings: The word beastElementals: BeastsBeehive: no match
TimeAntimatter: Time Runs DifferentlyShadow Beings: Time stopped, bent or outside timeElementals: no matchBeehive: no match
Hidden placesAntimatter: Hidden PlaceShadow Beings: Below, under or hiddenElementals: no matchBeehive: no match
Old mythsAntimatter: no matchShadow Beings: Roots in older myths and culturesElementals: Old cultural rootsBeehive: no match
Scientists and doctorsAntimatter: Doctors and ProfessorsShadow Beings: no matchElementals: Doctor / DRBeehive: no match
Ancient or primordialAntimatter: Alien or Ancient Source (match)Shadow Beings: Older than everything, or origin unknown (partial)Elementals: Ancient or primordial (partial)Beehive: no match
Four themes in all four articlesPrison and sealing, gates and ways through, crystals and key objects, ships and machines.
The strongest single fitThe Shadow Beings realm traits. 10 of 13 match, and the article already lists the Phantom Zone there.
The weak sideBees and honeycomb, the four elements, animals, masks, and the number 13.
The common threadA sealed realm, run by a boss, entered and left through gates and keys, with spirits that possess people.
PART 1 - QUOTES
The comicsMan of SteelArrowverseSmallvilleSuperman Films (1978-1980)
"Another dimension. The ultimate purgatory of punishment and exile."On the Zone itself
"A timeless sensory deprivation tank that, in time... will drive any prisoner mad."On what the Zone does to prisoners
"There is only one native denizen to the Phantom Zone..."On Aethyr, its only native inhabitant
"All this universe is Aethyr. I am its means to your comprehension."Aethyr, the Oversoul, Earth-One comics
"...the mythical "Underworld," home to the likes of Hades, Annwn, Erishkagal and Pluto."On what the Zone really is
"...sentenced you and your fellow insurgents to 300 cycles of somatic reconditioning."Lor-Em, the Kryptonian council, sentencing General Zod
"You'll damn us to a black hole for eternity!"General Zod, answering the council as the sentence is read
"It looks like the portals only open and close long enough for a Phantom to get through."Zor-El, Supergirl, on how the Zone lets things out
"I slept there for 24 years until somehow, I got here."Kara Zor-El
"...a region of space in which time stands still..."The Arrow Wiki's opening definition
"Picture an alien Alcatraz."Chloe Sullivan to Oliver Queen, Bloodline
"'Escaped super-criminals from the Phantom Zone' is a little bit of a mouthful."Chloe Sullivan and Clark Kent, Reunion, on where "Zoners" starts
"Well, I hope that's a decision you can live with...forever."Zod to Clark, Vessel, as he throws Clark into the Zone
"...isolation in the Phantom Zone; an eternal living death."The First Elder, Superman: The Movie, on the fate of Zod, Ursa and Non
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