DeSaad(also spelledDesaad) is asupervillain,appearing in books published byDC Comics.He is one of the followers ofDarkseidfrom the planetApokolipsinJack Kirby's Fourth Worldmeta-series.[2]
| DeSaad | |
|---|---|
 DeSaad as depicted inSuperman/Doomsday:Hunter/Prey#1 (April 1994). Art byDan JurgensandBrett Breeding. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Forever People#2 (May 1971) |
| Created by | Jack Kirby |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | DeSaad |
| Species | New God |
| Place of origin | Apokolips |
| Team affiliations | Darkseid's Elite |
| Notable aliases | Doctor Dezard, the God of Torture, the Grand Director[1] |
| Abilities |
|
As DeSaad serves as Darkseid's master torturer, his name refers to theMarquis de Sade.At one point, DeSaad had an assistant namedJusteen,a reference to de Sade's novelJustine,although she bore little resemblance to the title character.
Steve Byersportrays DeSaad in the television seriesSmallville.The character made his cinematic debut inZack Snyder's Justice League(2021), portrayed through voice andmotion capturebyPeter Guinness.
Publication history
editDeSaad first appeared inForever People#2 (April/May 1971) and was created byJack Kirby.[3]
Fictional character biography
edit
DeSaad is originally a New God fromNew Genesisbefore Darkseid corrupts him into serving him.[4]Afterwards, DeSaad assists Darkseid in killing his brother Drax, and becomes his torturer.[2][5]
In theSuperman/Batmanstory "Torment", Darkseid tasks DeSaad with retrievingHighfather's staff to restore his power. He betrays Darkseid and attempts to take the staff for himself before Darkseid siphons its energy.
InCountdown to Final Crisis,DeSaad capturesMartin Stein,one half of the heroFirestorm,and steals his power. TheAtomic Knightsdefeat DeSaad and separate him from the Firestorm matrix, but he escapes.
InSalvation Run,DeSaad trains the Apokoliptian New Gods on a planet whereAmanda Waller'sSuicide Squadhas exiled several villains.[6]InDeath of the New GodsandFinal Crisis,DeSaad respectively possesses an unnamed man andMary Marvel.[7]
InThe New 52continuity reboot, DeSaad contemplates incorporatingSuperman's DNA into a new type ofParademon.[8]Five years later, he impersonatesMichael Holtin an attempt to capturePower Girl.[9]
Powers and abilities
editAs a New God, DeSaad is nigh-immortal and possesses superhuman strength and durability. He is additionally a skilled inventor and torturer. InThe New 52,DeSaad is given the additional abilities of telepathy and energy absorption.
Other versions
edit- An alternate universe variant of DeSaad makes a cameo appearance inJLA: The Nail#1.[10]
- An elderly DeSaad appears inKingdom Comeas a servant ofOrion.[11]
- L'ok D'saad,a fusion of DeSaad andMarvel ComicscharacterLoki,appears in theAmalgam Comicsone-shotThorion of the New Asgods.[12]
In other media
editTelevision
edit- DeSaad appears in theSuper Friendsfranchise, voiced byRené Auberjonois.[13]
- DeSaad appears in theSuperman: The Animated Seriesepisode "Father's Day", voiced byRobert Morse.[13]
- DeSaad appears inJustice League(2001), voiced again by René Auberjonois.[13]In his most notable appearance in the episode "Twilight", Darkseid kills him for criticizing his master's military action to gain theAnti-Life Equation.
- DeSaad appears in thetenth seasonofSmallville,portrayed bySteve Byers.This version owns afetish clubfranchise called "Club DeSaad" and possesses several psionic powers, such as telekinesis, which he uses to manipulate and corrupt people. Throughout the series, he serves Darkseid until he is killed by theGreen Arrowin the series finale.
- DeSaad appears inYoung Justice,voiced byDee Bradley Baker.[13]This version is an ally of theLightand a weapons supplier for Intergang.
- DeSaad appears inJustice League Action,voiced byJason J. Lewis.[13]This version commands several spaceships crewed by Parademons and wields aMother Boxhoused in his belt.
- DeSaad appears inKite Man: Hell Yeah!,voiced byPhil LaMarr.
Film
edit
- DeSaad appears inJustice League: War,voiced byBruce Thomas.[13]This version oversees the process that transforms captured species into Parademons. He is later killed by Superman, who became unstable and aggressive after being partially subjected to the process.
- An alternate universe variant of DeSaad makes a non-speaking cameo appearance inJustice League: Gods and Monsters.
- DeSaad appears inLego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League,voiced byJames Arnold Taylor.[13]
- DeSaad was meant to appear inJustice League(2017), voiced and motion-captured byPeter Guinness,before his scenes were removed from the theatrical cut.[14]
- DeSaad appears inZack Snyder's Justice League,portrayed by McGuiness.[15][16]This version serves as an intermediary betweenDarkseidandSteppenwolf,the latter of whom DeSaad displays disdain towards.
Video games
edit- DeSaad appears inLego Batman 3: Beyond GothamviaDLC,voiced byRobin Atkin Downes.
- DeSaad appears as a Boss inDC Universe Online.
- DeSaad appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[17]
- DeSaad makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Darkseid's ending inInjustice 2.
- DeSaad appears as a playable character inLego DC Super-Villains,voiced byDee Bradley Baker.[18]
Merchandise
edit- DeSaad received a figure inKenner'sSuper Powers Collection.
- DeSaad received a figure inMattel's DC Universe Classics line.[19]
- DeSaad, based on his appearance inZack Snyder's Justice League,received a 1/4 scale polystone sculpture fromWētā WorkshopCollectibles.
References
edit- ^O.M.A.C.(vol. 4) #1-4
- ^abWallace, Dan (2008). "Demons Three". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.).The DC Comics Encyclopedia.New York:Dorling Kindersley.p. 98.ISBN978-0-7566-4119-1.OCLC213309017.
- ^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.ISBN978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ^Eclipso#10
- ^Orion#1 (June 2000)
- ^Salvation Run#1-7 (November 2007 – June 2008)
- ^Infinity, Inc.(vol. 2)
- ^Justice League(vol. 2) #6 (April 2012)
- ^Worlds' Finest#11 (June 2013)
- ^JLA: The Nail#1
- ^Kingdom Come#2
- ^Thorion of the New Asgods#1
- ^abcdefg"DeSaad Voices (Superman)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedNovember 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.
- ^Colbert, Stephen M. (November 7, 2019)."Justice League:Zack Snyder's Cut Cast Darkseid's Servant Desaad ".Screenrant.RetrievedMay 22,2020.
- ^Jacobs, Eammon (August 22, 2020)."Justice LeagueZack Snyder Cut Trailer Reveals Darkseid & DeSaad ".HeroicHollywood.RetrievedAugust 23,2020.
- ^Dandy, Jim (August 22, 2020)."Justice League:DeSaad Revealed in Snyder Cut Trailer ".denofgeek.RetrievedAugust 23,2020.
- ^Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013)."DC Characters and Objects -Scribblenauts UnmaskedGuide ".IGN.RetrievedJuly 13,2024.
- ^Michael, Jon; Veness, John (November 2, 2018)."Characters -LEGO DC Super-VillainsGuide ".IGN.RetrievedJuly 15,2024.
- ^OAFE - DC Universe Classics 12: Desaad review