
Nails
(Joanie Eaton)
Context
Nails is from an elite, but not super-powered, cadre of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. These guys appeared in 2000, but were seen but once after that.
Nails did get a small appearance without the team, though. Seeing her pop up in that story was a nice touch.
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Background
- Real Name: Joanie Eaton.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: S.H.I.E.L.D..
- Base Of Operations: S.H.I.E.L.D. bases.
- Height: 6’1” (1.85m). Weight: 155 lbs. (70 Kg.).
- Eyes: Blue. Hair: Blonde.
Powers and Abilities
Nails is a highly trained S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.
She has demonstrated great strength (in DC Heroes RPG terms STR, Martial Artist) and superior hand-to-hand combat skills.
History
Joanie Eaton was a tall, obese American woman. She became fed up with being taunted about her weight and worked out obsessively.
She was eventually recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. and joined a special cadre. It was the elite agents team that was assembled by Sharon Carter while she was S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Director.
Though they have been active for years, only two deployments of the Elite Agents were observed.
Dude, where’s my car ?
In the first, they were sent to recover an advanced S.H.I.E.L.D. flying car that had been captured by Hydra forces.
The window of opportunity being very short and Hydra forces being numerous and well-armed, Carter chose a small, fast force. These could board the prototype car and fly away before the opposition could react.
Dum-Dum Dugan was concerned that the Elite Agents might be too green and their non-regulation equipment too untested. Nevertheless they performed well, accomplishing all objectives without a scratch.
Though the Elite agents presumably never learned it, one of the reasons Carter wanted to recover the vehicle was to destroy the CD in the recorder. This disc had extensive footage of Carter and Captain America (Steve Rogers) making love in the rear of the car, from a security camera that had been unwittingly left on.
T-bolts
The second documented case occurred years later. The Elite Agents escorted Dum-Dum Dugan as he confronted the Thunderbolts. That was in the wake of the T-bolts’ clash with the version of the Masters of Evil assembled by the Crimson Cowl.
Dugan and the Thunderbolts leader, Songbird, couldn’t reach an understanding. The Thunderbolts left without Dugan’s approval.
Though the Elite Agents were obviously outmatched, Dugan correctly estimated that they wouldn’t be met with deadly force. Thus, he sent them after the dispersing ’Bolts to do what they could. Remarkably enough, some Elite Agents came close to capturing their quarries. But they ultimately returned empty-handed, yet unharmed.
Stark’s body
Agent Eaton was later sent on a non-Elite-Agents job. She was a bodyguard for Tony Stark during an operation against Hydra forces.
She and two other female S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives whose appearance allowed them to pass for high-priced escorts (Agent Jones and Agent Senyaka) accompanied Stark to Madripoor.
During the operation, Agent Eaton was struck by Bloodscream. That left his signature hand mark on her upper sternum. Presumably, Nails later had minor surgery to get rid of that wound.
Adνеrtisеmеnt
Description
A ripped blonde with long hair, washboard abs and an attitude.
She usually wears reinforced gloves and forearms guards.
She probably has one of ’em’ Southern US accents, since she says “y’all” on occasion.
Personality
Tough as nails, obviously, and brave.
Nails prefers to be called by her callsign. Perhaps because her family name reminds her of childhood nickname “Joanie Eaton-a-lot”.
Quotes
“And if there’s one thing I hate, it’s someone taking advantage of my delicate femininity !”
“Hand-to-hand’s my speciality, sir. One punch, one kill.”
DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Nails
Dex: 05 | Str: 04 | Bod: 05 |
Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 05 |
Inf: 04 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 04 |
Init: 015 | HP: 020 |
Skills:
Acrobatics (Climbing): 05, Detective (Police procedure): 04, Martial artist: 06, Military science (Demolition): 04, Thief (Stealth, security systems): 04, Vehicles (Air, Land, Water): 04, Weaponry (Firearms, heavy): 04
Advantages:
Credentials (S.H.I.E.L.D., Low), Rank (Sergeant).
Connections:
None demonstrated.
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Motivation:
Thrill.
Occupation:
Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D..
Wealth:
005
Equipment:
BETA CLOTH JUMPSUIT [BODY 04, Blunting: 02, Enhance (Kinetic, Energy and Corrosive RV): 01 (cap is 05), Radio communications: 05, Partial Coverage (Long coat), Limitations: Enhance doesn’t apply vs Blunt and Unarmed Descriptors, Blunting only against Descriptors covered by Enhance].
Design Notes
The low screen time means speculative stats. In the case of the Elite Agents, the standard S.H.I.E.L.D. agent stats were used as a foundation, with the special abilities demonstrated being added above that.
Nails prefers to sub her Martial Artist for EV, delivering bone-crunching punches. She will often spend a few Hero Points on her AV and OV both when fighting bare-handed.
DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Nails — Averaged PL 6.2
STR | STA | AGL | DEX |
---|---|---|---|
02 | 03 | 02 | 02 |
FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
06 | 02 | 01 | 01 |
Devices:
S.H.I.E.L.D. jumpsuit ● 2 points (Removable) ● Descriptor: Body armour
– Protection 2.
– Feature 1 (tactical radio headset).
Combat Advantages:
Defensive Attack, Defensive Roll 2, Improved Critical (Unarmed), Improved Disarm, Power Attack.
Other Advantages:
Benefit 2 (S.H.I.E.L.D. elite agent), Extraordinary Effort (Strength).
Skills:
Athletics 3 (+5), Close combat (Unarmed) 2 (+8), Deception 1 (+2), Expertise (Commando) 4 (+6), Expertise (S.H.I.E.L.D. brick agent) 6 (+8), Insight 2 (+3), Perception 3 (+4), Persuasion 1 (+2), Ranged combat (Firearms) 3 (+5), Stealth 3 (+5), Technology 6 (+8), (Limited 1 to Operating, Demolitions, Security), Vehicles 3 (+5).
Offence:
Initiative +2 |
Unarmed +8, Close, Damage 02, Crit 19-20. |
Firearms +5, by type. |
Defence:
Dodge | 08 |
Fortitude | 07 |
Parry | 09 |
Toughness | 03*/05 |
Will | 05 |
* Without Defensive Roll.
Complications:
- Rush Nails is in for the action and the excitement.
- Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Which means orders, paperwork, office politics, corruption issues, etc..
Powers Levels:
- Trade-off areas. Attack/Effect PL 5, Dodge/Toughness PL 7, Parry/Toughness PL 7, Fort/Will PL 6.
- Points total 83. Abilities 38, Defences 17, Skills 17, Powers 0, Devices 2, Advantages 9. Equiv. PL 6.

Source of Character: Marvel Universe.
Helper(s): Roy Cowan.