DeSaad

DeSaad is the chief torturer and most sadistic servant of Darkseid, ruler of Apokolips. Born on New Genesis, DeSaad was once an innocent youth until he fell under Darkseid’s influence. In a twisted test of loyalty, Darkseid manipulated the boy into killing his beloved cat by falsely blaming it for the disappearance of his bird. When DeSaad returned after the act, he found the bird alive—realizing he had been deceived, he killed the bird in a rage. This marked the beginning of his corruption. He later accompanied Darkseid to Apokolips, where he fully embraced his new identity.

DeSaad played a critical role during Darkseid's rise. Before Uxas claimed the Omega Effect and transformed into Darkseid, DeSaad served both him and his brother Drax. He acted as an informant, passing intelligence between them and reporting on the activities of the New Gods of New Genesis. DeSaad designed the ceremonial garb for the Infinity Pit and betrayed Drax by allowing Uxas to enter and claim the Omega Effect for himself. From that point forward, DeSaad remained Darkseid’s loyal servant and a key strategist in his court.

A master of psychological and physical torment, DeSaad thrives on suffering. He regularly constructs intricate machines designed to inflict prolonged agony and feed on emotional energy. His favorite source of power is the anguish and despair of others, which he extracts using siphoning devices. These devices not only enhance his own abilities but can also be used to empower others—such as transferring energy from Orion to Kalibak. When DeSaad attempted to break Orion’s spirit and failed, the backlash rendered him comatose, revealing the limits of even his cruelty when faced with indomitable will.

As a New God, DeSaad possesses the standard attributes of his kind: superhuman strength, speed, stamina, senses, durability, and immortality. He is highly resistant to damage and immune to disease and aging. His access to the Source grants him tremendous resilience and power. In addition to his physical prowess, DeSaad is capable of opening Boom Tubes, allowing him to teleport across space and dimensions. When at full power, he can even open Boom Tubes between universes.

DeSaad's mental abilities include telepathy, mind reading, hypnosis, and emotional manipulation. He can control minds, possess bodies, and project illusions to appear as others, such as when he impersonated Michael Holt. He is also capable of absorbing emotional and energy signatures, including those from machines like particle accelerators. These energies can be redirected to suit his objectives or to strengthen himself.

A gifted inventor, DeSaad is responsible for designing many of Apokolips’ most feared torture chambers and advanced technologies. His cunning, cruelty, and loyalty to Darkseid make him one of the most dangerous and indispensable members of the Apokoliptian hierarchy.

Appearance: DeSaad wears a deep magenta hooded robe with wide, flowing sleeves and numerous folds. His face is partially concealed by the hood, revealing a wrinkled, skeletal visage with a wide, sharp-toothed grin and glowing red eyes. His exposed arms are thin and sinewy, with clawed fingers.