First look: Zod’s Man of Steel armour unveiled at toy show

In 'Superman II', Terrence Stamp's General Zod went for a rather feminine 80s, low-cut black blouse in order to strike terror into the hearts of the human race.

But it seems that Zack Snyder didn't deem that look menacing enough for his forthcoming 'Man of Steel', which will see 'Boardwalk Empire's Michael Shannon playing the maniac Kryptonian.

DC Comics unveiled its new 'Man of Steel' figurines at the New York Toy Fair over the weekend, including Zod in hardcore metal armour and sporting a goatee beard with a dashing badger stripe.

Also unveiled were figures of Zod's villainous sidekick Faora (played by Antje Traue), Superman's dad Jor-El (Russell Crowe) and the Man of Steel himself.

Jor-El gripping some sort of blaster weapon may also suggest that his character sees a little more action than in previous Superman films.

So far Snyder's take on the Superman saga has remained shrouded in secrecy. Shannon has described his character in the film less as a villain, and more a military man doing his job.

“[Zod's] not one of these archetypal villains with horns coming out of his head and breathing fire or something. He’s a man, a Kryptonian man. He’s a general, that’s his main attribute,” he told the LA Times.

“That’s the way I approach it: playing a general. I’ve done military parts before, but I’ve only been up to sergeant, so this is a big promotion.”

Meanwhile, an emblem has emerged for Zod, adding only further to the mystique surrounding the part.

'Man of Steel' is due out on June 14.