| Emperor Zarkon | |
| Series: | Voltron |
| Species: | Galra |
| Gender: | Male |
| Occupation: | Emperor of the Galra Empire Black Paladin of Voltron (Formerly) |
| Emperor of the Galra Empire | |
| Spouse: | Honerva / Haggar (wife) |
| Children: | Prince Lotor (son) |
Emperor Zarkon, known as in the original Japanese language Beast King GoLion, is a fictional character in the media franchise Voltron and an antagonist of the Voltron Force, who made his first appearance in Voltron.[1]
See main article: Voltron (TV series). King Zarkon is ruler of Planet Daibazaal who blames others for his failures.[2] At times he can be a more restrained leader, particularly when Lotor does something rash, Zarkon will calmly handle the situation and chastise his son in private.
See main article: Voltron: The Third Dimension. King Zarkon became an ally of the Voltron force against Prince Lotor as a member of the Galactic council. It turns out to be a ruse as he was secretly working with his son.
See main article: Voltron: Legendary Defender. Zarkon was ruler of Daibazaal and the original black Paladin of Voltron. He ruled the Galra Empire for 10,000 years. Zarkon became corrupted by Quintessence and unknown dark forces from an alternate reality which led to a revolt against king Alfor to claim Voltron for himself. With the absence of all five Lions, Zarkon assumed that Voltron was destroyed but rediscovers the lions and wants it for himself.[3] Zarkon eventually gets killed by his son, prince Lotor.
The character was made a more sophisticated character than his 1984 counterpart.[4] During flashbacks of , Zarkon is voiced by Kevin Durand instead of Neil Kaplan. Voltron writers said the reason a different voice actor was chosen to show how Zarkon is not the original person he once was.[5]
See main article: Voltron (comics). In the 2011 Devil's Due comics the Emperor Zarkon character appears in the book.[6]
The character appeared in an ad campaign for the Sprite soft drink in the 1990s.[7]