Buried behind the Hollywood sign, Hollywood, California; formerly The Hostel, La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles, California; The Hostel, Bronson Canyon, California; Los Angeles, California
Most people in life don't have great power, and the few that do are almost never responsible with it. The people who have the greatest responsibility are the kids with no power because we're the ones who have to keep everybody in check.
Gertrude Yorkes was born human with no metahuman abilities. However, using the 4-D Time Portico to travel to the future in the 87th century, Gert's parents were able to commission a genetically engineered deinonychus.
Telepathic and Empathic Link: Gert is telepathically and empathically link to her genetically engineered deinonychus, Old Lace. This empathic bond with Old Lace enabled Gertrude to mentally command and communicate with Old Lace. Additionally, Old Lace is fiercely loyal to Gert, and has been programmed not to harm any member of the Yorkes immediate family. However, Gert and Old Lace also share the pain any injuries they other sustains.
Abilities
None known.
Strength level
Unknown.
Weaknesses
Gert is deathly allergic to bees stings.
Gert requires the use of prescription corrective lenses.
Gert is 15 years old during her initial appearance.
Trivia
Although Gert is ethnically Jewish, she is openly atheist.
Gertrude plays the drums.
According to Leslie Dean, Gert was the one child the Pride always considered expendable. Alice Hayes also mentions having wanted to shut Gert up ever since she was born.
Gert's codename "Arsenic" and the name of her pet dinosaur "Old Lace" were chosen as a reference to the 1944 dark comedy Arsenic and Old Lace directed by Frank Capra. Based on the play of the same name, the film is about a man that learns on his wedding day that bride-to-be has homicidal aunts and a family history of insanity.
Victor Mancha is seemingly the only Runaway to get the reference.
Prior to running away, Gert wanted to be a U.S. Senator, but has since become very disillusioned with people-in-power.
In an alternate future, Gertrude went by the codename "Heroine" and became the leader of the Avengers.
Gert died in Chase's arms twice: once as the adult Heroine and once as her adolescent self.
Gertrude is vegetarian (or more accurately, pescetarian).
Gert's hair is naturally black, but she colors her hair with Purple Haze dye on a weekly basis to keep her roots from showing.
