[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.

The character made his cinematic debut in Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), portrayed through voice and motion capture by Peter Guinness.

In Countdown to Final Crisis, DeSaad captures Martin Stein, one half of the hero Firestorm, and steals his power.

In Salvation Run, DeSaad trains the Apokoliptian New Gods on a planet where Amanda Waller's Suicide Squad has exiled several villains.