The original version of the character was created by J. M. DeMatteis and Don Perlin, and first appeared in Defenders #112 (October 1982) as a member of the Squadron Supreme, an analog of the Justice League.

Princess Zarda of Earth-712 lived on Utopia Isle, a small island in the southern sea, untouched by outside civilization.

The Utopians believe themselves to be the result of genetic experimentation conducted upon humanity by the alien Kree; they are, indeed, the equivalent on the Squadron's Earth of the Inhumans.

[2] While most humans were making flint spearheads, the Utopians developed an advanced utopia based on peace, fellowship and experience or learning.

[3] Zarda chose to remain behind as their sole emissary to the Earth, a role she had assumed some years earlier as Power Princess.

[volume & issue needed] Living in Capitol City, she became the common-law wife of Howard Shelton, a sailor whom she met during "the war".

Power Princess remains with the Exiles for a time to continue fixing damaged realities,[volume & issue needed] but eventually leaves to return to the Squadron Supreme.

However, in transit she is attacked by an alternate version of herself called Warrior Woman, who drains Zarda of her energy and powers and leaves her for dead.

She alludes to having similar origins to Hyperion (both are aliens) and a mission to colonize and conquer the planet, but she is quite erratic, confusing her memories with allegory.

[22] Later, Zarda kills a woman and steals her identification in hopes of starting anew, while working in a women's clothing store.

After General Richard Alexander asks why she calls herself Zarda, thinking it to be an old nickname, he informs her that focus groups came up with Power Princess.

[volume & issue needed] An African general named John M'Butu, a fast-rising tribal leader gifted with a powerful psychic suggestion ability and calling himself the Voice, is leading a genocidal campaign in the Salawe region of Uganda.

The team is sent to the region to assassinate him, but early in the fight, Hyperion, Doctor Spectrum and Amphibian are affected by M'Butu's power to control anyone who hears his voice.

[volume & issue needed] Later the Squadron are then ordered to take down insurgents in Ilam Province in Iran, an operation called "Long Walk".

[volume & issue needed] Hyperion gives a press conference in Los Angeles of the "Long Walk" mission, during which he is confronted by Redstone.

[33] In the team's first mission, Power Princess and the Squadron Supreme of America fought Namor and the Defenders of the Deep, when they targeted a Roxxon oil platform off the coast of Alaska.

[35] During the War of the Realms storyline, Zarda was in the middle of a boxing class when she and the other members of the Squadron Supreme of America were summoned to Washington D.C., where Phil Coulson brought them up to speed with Malekith the Accursed's invasion.

[33] Power Princess was with the Squadron Supreme when they attempted to apprehend Black Panther, when he infiltrated the Pentagon to confront Coulson.

[38][39] Zarda carries a transparent shield of Utopian design that can block tank shells and be used to redirect energy, and which she can throw so that its edges are able to slice through metal.

[volume & issue needed] In addition to similar physical abilities she shares with Hyperion, such as supersonic flight, super-strength, greatly enhanced reflexes, superhuman senses and nigh-invulnerability, this Zarda can drain the life-force of others to rejuvenate herself.