Who's Who: Science Police - Chief Zendak

Chief Zendak
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Kimball Zendak

Super-Power(s): None
Planet of Origin: Earth

Relationship to Legion: Science Police chief

Legion Log
Kimball Zendak was the fourth Science Police Chief to work with the Legion after the abrupt resignation of Science Police Chief Ianos, who had followed Chief Zoltaurus after his resignation in disgrace, who had followed Chief Wilson, who had been Chief when the Legion was formed.

Officer Zendak first came to the attention of the Legion and his superiors when he and his rookie partner, Gigi Cusimano, helped Star Boy stop a prisoner revolt on Takron-Galtos. He worked with the newly formed Legion enthusiastically. He became friendly with several of the members, considering the organization another tool to keep the United Planets safe.

Several years later, in an effort to "clear the board" of old-fashioned and "dirty" politicians, Police Commander Hagbard himself chose Zendak to be the next Chief after an extensive screening process. By all accounts, Chief Zendak was a model police officer: intelligent, compassionate, and dedicated. Under his tenure the Science Police continued to update and re-invent itself for the later part of the 30th Century.

It was under Chief Zendak's tenure that the SP Legion Liaison Officer position was created. It helped improve communications between the two crime-fighting organizations, arguably making the UP more secure.

Chief Zendak's Science Police faced Earthwar, the Great Darkness, the Universo Project, and several internal crises, always coming through with flying colors. However, as part of Earth President Mojai Desai's attempts to take responsibility for Earth having fallen under Universo's control, he fired Chief Zendak. He then named Zendak's protegee, Gigi Cusimano, as new Chief.

During the Magic War, when Earth people began to mob and riot out of fear and lack of necessities such as heat and light, former Chief Zendak re-appeared to help Chief Cusimano and other top-ranking SP officers to protect Earth from itself.

Five years later, Kimball Zendak is made Commissioner (a mostly ceremonial title) and is Commander Edvard Hagbard's top aide.

Chief Zendak appears in neither the Reboot nor the Threeboot.

After Infinite Crisis, Chief Zendak's original history has presumably been more or less restored. He is killed by Durlan terrorists wanting revenge on the Legion for not being able to prevent RJ Brande's murder, and is for a short time replaced by one of them. He and his group are defeated by the Legion.

Important Chief Zendak stories:

Legion of Super-Heroes Annual (v1) #1 (1982)
(reprinted in The Legion: The Great Darkness Saga)

Debut appearance of Chief Zendak

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #298
(reprinted in The Legion: The Curse TPB)

Chief Zendak continues the tradition of SP chiefs calling the Legion directly for assistance

DC Comics Presents #59

Chief Zendak works with Superman and the Legion of Substitute Heroes

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #303
(reprinted in The Legion: The Curse TPB)

Chief Zendak yells at Officer Cusimano for trying to go behind his back

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #306
(reprinted in The Legion: The Curse TPB)

Flashback appearance of Lt Zendak on duty on Takron-Galtos

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #310
(reprinted in The Legion: The Curse TPB)

Chief Zendak tells Element Lad that he won the latest election for Legion Leader

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #312-313
(reprinted in The Legion: The Curse TPB)

Chief Zendak asks the Legion to help flush out a traitor in he SP organization

Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes #325

Chief Zendak enjoys assigning his officers to various missions

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #9

(reprinted in The Legion: The More Things Change TPB)

Chief Zendak attends a Legion party

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #19

Chief Zendak wants to know why four SP officers committed acts of terrorism
(they were under Universo's control) 

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #22

Universo's controlled terrorists drive a wedge between Zendak and President Desai

Secret Origins (v3) #25

Lt. Zendak is eager to work with the newly created Legion

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #56

Earth President fires Chief Zendak

Legion of Super-Heroes (v3) #62

Former Chief Zendak is up for rebuilding Earth after the Magic War

Adventure Comics #520

Zendak was a lieutenant when Lightning Lad originally died

Legion of Super-Heroes (v6) #5

Chief Zendak is killed and replaced by a Durlan

Legion of Super-Heroes (v6) #7-8

The Durlan Zendak manipulates the Legion for a time, but shows his hand too soon