Originally, he was a member of the criminal Institute of Evil, the Squadron's arch-foes, although, lacking sincere criminal intent, he was mostly following the lead of team leader Ape-X, who had been his friend "for years and years." After the Institute of Evil lost a battle against the Squadron, all of the Institute's members underwent behavior modification, their criminal records were pardoned, and they all joined the Squadron. Now, as a public crusader and adventurer, Shape helped supervise the manufacturing of force field belts. He also helped his fellow superheroes and babysat for Arcanna Jones' three children, becoming especially close with Drusilla Jones. Eventually the behavior modification was reversed by the Squadron's opponents the Redeemers, but the Shape, having never been a criminal at heart in the first place, still chose to side with the Squadron against Nighthawk and the Redeemers. After the battle, Shape helped get the pregnant Arcanna to the delivery room after she collapsed.