Sam Shepherd is the former Governor of New Jersey and, during the 1970s and for much of the 1980s, was the superhero known as Vanguard. In 2008, he is the Republican Candidate for President of the United States.

Shepherd At A Glance

Age: 58

Race: White

Martial Status: Married (Barbara Blake Shepherd, 39). His first wife, Teri Tellman, died at the hands of a supervillain in 1985.

Children: Theresa Tellman (29), Julia Shepherd (11), Arthur Shepherd (8).

Religion: Methodist

Powers: As Vanguard, Shepherd possessed superhuman strength and (non-bulletproof) toughness, flight, an accelerated brain, and deadly "quantum vision." His abilities have faded over the decades and he has lost both the power of flight and his quantum vision; however he is still stronger and more durable than any ordinary human.

Politics: Shepherd is hailed as a "Teddy Roosevelt Republican." He promotes small government, an interventionist foreign policy, separation of church and state, regulation of corporate interests in order to protect ordinary Americans, and strong environmentalism.

Early Life

Sam Shepherd was born in Minnesota in 1950 to a World War II veteran and his wife. In 1968 he joined the Air Force rather than risk being drafted into the Army for Vietnam. Due to his intelligence, keen eyesight, and quick reflexes, he was given pilot training and by 1972 he was a test pilot working out of several bases in the American Southwest.

Vanguard

In 1973 Shepherd was test-flying the X-9 prototype spy plane "Vanguard" when his craft was struck by a meteorite. His ejection seat failed to function and the X-9 crashed in the New Mexico desert. Miraculously, Shepherd was unharmed. He discovered in the minutes that followed that the meteorite had given him superhuman powers, and when he was picked up by the Air Force his powers were soon discovered. He was allowed to keep his true nature a secret, and with the Air Force's help he crafted the identity of Vanguard. He participated in many adventures, while continuing to serve as a test pilot and occasional government agent. He became a member of the All-Americans, the nation's federally-funded supergroup.

In 1980 Shepherd left the service after a distinguished career. He married Teri Tellman, his long-time sweetheart, and used his government contacts to found Shepherd Aerospace, an engineering firm. Thanks to some lucrative government contracts, the new company prospered. But in 1985, while defending his plant from an attack by the supervillain known as Fenris, Shepherd's wife was killed. Fenris was defeated and sent to prison, but Shepherd no longer felt the call to superhero service. He retired the Vanguard identity and devoted himself to raising his 6 year old daughter and running his company. 

Shepherd on the Issues

• The War on Terror: Shepherd supported the invasion of Afghanistan and the hunt for Osama bin Laden. He has blasted the current administration for bungling our work in Afghanistan, forcing us to return there. He argues for a more intense negotiation with Afghan and Pakistan factions, backed up by the threat of force.
• The War in Iraq: Shepherd was slow to come on board with the invasion of Iraq. He eventually supported it, but criticized how it was fought. Now he says our work there is done, our soldiers have done what we asked them to do, and he favors withdrawal of all combat troops.
• Health Care: Shepherd does not endorse a national health care plan. Instead, his plan calls for major reform of the health care industry in order to bring insurance costs down so that ordinary Americans can afford to pay.
• Energy: While acknowledging that alternative sources of energy are promising, Shepherd insists they cannot solve our problem in the short or middle term. His proposal is two-fold: First, reform the oil industry in America to reduce exploitation of the American consumer and bring down the cost of domestic oil (forcing oil companies to use the oil fields they have in a more efficient manner). Second, to use global diplomacy and America's role as the world leader to secure beneficial prices for foreign oil, bringing down the cost of imports and, thus, the price of gas at the pump.
• Global Warming: Shepherd acknowledges the profound dangers of global climate change and insists that, by taking the lead in this area, America can regain its standing in world affairs.

Vanguard (c. 1985) Power Level 12

Str 34 (+12) Dex 14 (+2) Con 34 (+12) Int 24 (+14) Wis 18 (+4) Cha 18 (+4)

Skills Bluff (4 ranks) +8, Concentration (4 ranks) +8, Craft (electronic) (8 ranks) +22, Craft (mechanical) (8 ranks) +22, Diplomacy (8 ranks) +12, Disable Device (4 ranks) +18, Knowledge (Business) (8 ranks) +22, Knowledge (Civics) (4 ranks) +18, Knowledge (Current Events) (8 ranks) +22, Knowledge (physical sciences) (8 ranks) +22, Knowledge (streetwise) (4 ranks) +18, Knowledge (tactics) (8 ranks) +22, Knowledge (technology) (8 ranks) +22, Notice (4 ranks) +8, Pilot (12 ranks) +14, Search (4 ranks) +18

Feats Attractive, Connected, Environmental Adaptation (high altitude), Interpose, Luck, Move-By Attack, Power Attack, Ultimate Effort (Strength checks), Uncanny Dodge

Powers Blast 12 ("Quantum Vision" Feats: Precise, Split, Drawbacks: Always Lethal, Full Power), Flight 6 (500 MPH), Quickness 4 (Flaws: Mental Actions Only), Super-Strength 6 (Feats: Bracing, Shockwave)

Combat Attack +12, Damage +12 (unarmed or quantum vision), Grapple, Defense +12, Knockback, Initiative +2

Saving Throws Toughness +12, Fortitude +12, Reflex +8, Will +10

Abilities 82 + Skills 26 + Feats 9 + Powers 50 + Combat 48 + Saves 12 = 237

This represents Vanguard at the height of his powers. In the 23 years since, his abilities have waned. He can no longer fly or use his Quantum Vision. His Strength, Constitution, Intelligence, Quickness, and Super-Strength are all much reduced.