Comic Title: New Gods #15
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: April 1990
On Sale Date: March 6, 1990 Shipping Date March 6, 1990
Source: Previews, #12

Shipping Date March 6, 1990
Source: Amazing Heroes, #177

Shipping Date March 8, 1990
Source: Advance Comics, #14

Copyright Date March 6, 1990
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1990

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $1.50
Page Count: 32
Editor: Michael Eury

Title: "Savage Soul"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
New Gods (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Mark Evanier
Plotter/Penciller: Paris Cullins
Inker: Will A. Blyberg
Letterer: Robert M. Pinaha
Colorist: Eugene D'Angelo

Reprinted In:
New Gods:Advent of Darkness TPB (2022)

Feature Character(s)

• New Gods (last appearance in New Gods #14; next appearance in New Gods #16)
• Orion (last appearance in New Gods #14; next appearance in Justice League America #40)

Supporting Character(s)

• Dave Lincoln (last appearance in New Gods #14; next appearance in New Gods #17)

Villain(s)

• DeSaad (resurrected in this story; last appearance in New Gods #12; next appearance in New Gods #16)
• Darkseid (last appearance in Suicide Squad #36; next appearance in Mister Miracle #17)
• The Poet (a serial killer; no further appearances)
• Mr. Hyatt (a man who kills his wife; named mispelled Wyatt once in this story; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Various police officers (Harry and Ralph named; no further appearances)
• A coroner (no further appearances)
• Sharon Hyatt (a murder victim; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Several female murder victims (killed by the Poet; some behind-the-scenes; no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Kalibak (in flashback)
• Superman (depicted in an image on a display screen)
• Doctor Fate (depicted in an image on a display screen)
• Hawk (depicted in an image on a display screen)
• Dove (depicted in an image on a display screen)
• Morgan Edge (depicted in an image on a display screen)
• Hawkman (depicted in an image on a display screen)

Comments:
This story reveals that DeSaad has been impersonating Darkseid on Earth. This is a confirmation of events shown in Action Comics #643 in which DeSaad, in the guise of Darkseid, was directing Morgan Edge and Intergang. Images show that DeSaad had a scheme involving Doctor Fate. This possibly indicates, though it lacks confirmation, that he may have been impersonating Darkseid in Doctor Fate #12 in which Eric Strauss was killed. Encounters with Hawk and Dove as well as Hawkman are also shown, but it remains unclear what these events may have been.

Synopsis:
DeSaad is resurrected by Darkseid. He begins using a device to psychically follow Orion who is working with Dave Lincoln on Earth to track a serial killer. DeSaad finds the killer first and vicariously experiences the murders. When Orion and the police catch up, DeSaad transforms the murderer into a creature capable of fighting Orion. The son of Darkseid prevails anyway, ending DeSaad's manipulations. Orion doesn't understand why Lincoln is concerned with protecting the rights of the killers. He believes they deserve to die.