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DeSaad

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
DeSaad
DeSaad as depicted in Superman/Doomsday: Hunter/Prey #1 (April 1994). Art by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceForever People #2 (May 1971)
Created byJack Kirby
In-story information
Alter egoDeSaad
SpeciesNew God
Place of originApokolips
Team affiliationsDarkseid's Elite
Notable aliasesDoctor Dezard, the God of Torture, the Grand Director[1]
Abilities
  • Immortality
  • Superhuman strength, endurance and reflexes
  • Telepathy
  • Energy absorption and teleportation
  • Brilliant inventor of weapons and torture devices

DeSaad (also spelled Desaad) is a supervillain, appearing in books published by DC Comics. He is one of the followers of Darkseid from the planet Apokolips in Jack Kirby's Fourth World meta-series.[2]

As DeSaad serves as Darkseid's master torturer, his name refers to the Marquis de Sade. At one point, DeSaad had an assistant named Justeen, a reference to de Sade's novel Justine, although she bore little resemblance to the title character.

Steve Byers portrays DeSaad in the television series Smallville. The character made his cinematic debut in Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), portrayed through voice and motion capture by Peter Guinness.

Publication history

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DeSaad first appeared in Forever People #2 (April/May 1971) and was created by Jack Kirby.[3]

Fictional character biography

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Darkseid with a young DeSaad, art by Colleen Doran.

DeSaad is originally a New God from New Genesis before Darkseid corrupts him into serving him.[4] Afterwards, DeSaad assists Darkseid in killing his brother Drax, and becomes his torturer.[2][5]

In the Superman/Batman story "Torment", Darkseid tasks DeSaad with retrieving Highfather's staff to restore his power. He betrays Darkseid and attempts to take the staff for himself before Darkseid siphons its energy.

In Countdown to Final Crisis, DeSaad captures Martin Stein, one half of the hero Firestorm, and steals his power. The Atomic Knights defeat DeSaad and separate him from the Firestorm matrix, but he escapes.

In Salvation Run, DeSaad trains the Apokoliptian New Gods on a planet where Amanda Waller's Suicide Squad has exiled several villains.[6] In Death of the New Gods and Final Crisis, DeSaad respectively possesses an unnamed man and Mary Marvel.[7]

In The New 52 continuity reboot, DeSaad contemplates incorporating Superman's DNA into a new type of Parademon.[8] Five years later, he impersonates Michael Holt in an attempt to capture Power Girl.[9]

Powers and abilities

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As a New God, DeSaad is nigh-immortal and possesses superhuman strength and durability. He is additionally a skilled inventor and torturer. In The New 52, DeSaad is given the additional abilities of telepathy and energy absorption.

Other versions

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In other media

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Television

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Film

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DeSaad as depicted in Zack Snyder's Justice League.

Video games

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Merchandise

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  • DeSaad received a figure in Kenner's Super Powers Collection.
  • DeSaad received a figure in Mattel's DC Universe Classics line.[19]
  • DeSaad, based on his appearance in Zack Snyder's Justice League, received a 1/4 scale polystone sculpture from Wētā Workshop Collectibles.

References

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  1. ^ O.M.A.C. (vol. 4) #1-4
  2. ^ a b Wallace, Dan (2008). "Demons Three". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley. p. 98. ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1. OCLC 213309017.
  3. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 88. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  4. ^ Eclipso #10
  5. ^ Orion #1 (June 2000)
  6. ^ Salvation Run #1-7 (November 2007 – June 2008)
  7. ^ Infinity, Inc. (vol. 2)
  8. ^ Justice League (vol. 2) #6 (April 2012)
  9. ^ Worlds' Finest #11 (June 2013)
  10. ^ JLA: The Nail #1
  11. ^ Kingdom Come #2
  12. ^ Thorion of the New Asgods #1
  13. ^ a b c d e f g "DeSaad Voices (Superman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 1, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  14. ^ Colbert, Stephen M. (November 7, 2019). "Justice League: Zack Snyder's Cut Cast Darkseid's Servant Desaad". Screenrant. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  15. ^ Jacobs, Eammon (August 22, 2020). "Justice League Zack Snyder Cut Trailer Reveals Darkseid & DeSaad". HeroicHollywood. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  16. ^ Dandy, Jim (August 22, 2020). "Justice League: DeSaad Revealed in Snyder Cut Trailer". denofgeek. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  17. ^ Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  18. ^ Michael, Jon; Veness, John (November 2, 2018). "Characters - LEGO DC Super-Villains Guide". IGN. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  19. ^ OAFE - DC Universe Classics 12: Desaad review
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