POWER PRINCESS
Secret Identity: Claire Shelton, a.k.a. "Zarda"

Calling: Secret Agent

Strength: 15D

Power Princess


Intelligence: 4D
Agility: 10C
Willpower: 2X
Edge/Hand: 1/3

Skills:

Powers:

Equipment:

Blaster Gloves
ComLink
Antigravity Belt

Personal History:

Claire Shelton was a blonde, beautiful and buxom actress selected to be a member of the Squadron Supreme, the creation of Gruenwald Broadcasting, a team of media-ready "super heroes" complete with their own PR department, travelling film crew and nationally-syndicated prime time television show. Like others in the Squadron, Claire was administered chemical treatments by Kellough BioWeapons Inc., which gave her superhuman strength, endurance and invulnerability and provided with special equipment manufactured by Stark Enterprises, gloves that enable her to fire energy blasts, and an antigravity belt that allows her to fly. Dubbed with a new sobriquet and a cheesy prepackaged origin (the general public believes her to be "Zarda" from "Utopia Island," here to teach the World of Man the folly of their ways, etc.) she was one of the original members of the Squadron Supreme.

Despite many thrilling weekly adventures, neither Claire or the Squadron (for insurance reasons) ever encountered any real opposition, all of their "battles" being carefully choreographed media exhibitions designed to resemble the real thing. The masses ate it up, the Squadron Supreme television show skyrocketed to the top of the ratings, Squadron Supreme action figures became the hot toy item, and cheesecake Power Princess posters graced the walls of every teenage boy's bedroom.

Nevertheless, Claire tired of being relegated to mere eye candy and saddled with clunky dialogue, and especially resented playing second banana to her egotistical, arrogant teammate, Hyperion. Arguments with the network followed, and her demands for a more prominent role in the team were summarily rejected. Finally, during one of the Squadron's orchestrated "battles," Claire took the situation into her own hands, deviating from the script and defeating the main "villain" herself, upstaging Hyperion on live television in the process.

That was the final straw. Claire was fired, and Gruenwald Broadcasting intended to replace her with a new Power Princess. She retained the services of hotshot lawyer Franklin "Foggy" Nelson, and fearing prolonged litigation and a resulting media scandal, the network relented and allowed her to retain the Power Princess identity, costume and equipment, even agreeing to finance repairs for her gloves and flight belt as needed.

Wanting back in the media spotlight, and there being a shortage of other fake superhero groups, Claire decided to try her hand at the real thing, applying to the Fantastic Four as a replacement for Herbie the Super-Ape. Unfortunately, the FF recognised a phony superhero when they saw one and she was rejected. She then turned her attention to the other group of heroes getting some press, the Avengers.