Gertrude Yorkes is a fictional character in the Marvel universe, a member of the team of young superheroes known as the Runaways. Her first appearance was in Runaways (vol. 1) #1.

Synopsis

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Gertrude Yorkes is an incredibly smart and clever individual, also very frank and sarcastic. Gert has socialist leanings, and wanted to be a senator before her experiences as a Runaway soured her to adults in positions of power. Although ethnically Jewish, she considers herself an agnostic. She is presented as knowing a little Hebrew, presumably as a result of a Jewish education. Gert was the only Runaway not shocked by the revelation that her parents were members of the secret super-villain organization known as the The Pride; she was convinced her parents were secretly evil at a young age, for she believed they were responsible for the disappearance of her first pet, a pot-bellied pig named Orwell. Gert was the Runaway who first suggested taking codenames, and she sticks to hers longer than the others. Gert at first rejects her given name, wishing to shed her parents' influence completely, but finally concedes that "some things" they gave her are worth keeping.

Old Lace

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At the beginning of the series she inherits a genetically engineered dinosaur that she names Old Lace, which along with her code name "Arsenic" are references to a classic play and film. During the Runaways' attempt to bring Victor to the Hostel, he explains to Gert that Old Lace is not a Velociraptor but actually a Deinonychus. Gert sees Old Lace as more than a pet, which is likely a result of their psychic bond; when one is injured, the other feels pain. Old Lace is unconditionally loyal to Gert, even to the point of fighting against the team when Gert ordered her to follow Alex's commands. Old Lace has once lashed out without Gert's orders when she grew upset with Nico and attacked her as an apparent experssion of Gert's emotions. Also, despite her fiercesome appearance, she is often drawn with exaggerated expressions, making her appear, surprisingly, cute.

Relationship with Chase

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She had been dating Chase Stein; the two had their first kiss after Gert performed CPR on him, saving his life after a near drowning. Chase declared her to be "the hottest chick ^* ever seen." Despite their differences, the two were very much in love. In fact, her relationship with Chase had softened her somewhat; while she hasn't lost her sarcastic edge, she often acts as the team's voice of reason, and Molly Hayes often looks to her as a big sister. Their relationship developed quickly, and an off hand remark even suggested that they sleep in the same bed. In issue #16 after it was revealed that Chase and Nico had kissed, despite Chase (with Nico backing him up) telling her that Nico had forced the kiss on him. It is implied that the relationship is over.

Heroine & Victor

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In issue #1 of the second series we meet a future version of Gert; in one Marvel universe timeline she becomes the leader of the Avengers under the codename Heroine. She uses her parents' time machine to warn the Runaways of Victor Mancha, who will one day become the deadly super-villain Victorious. She then dies in Chase's arms from internal injuries. Despite the fact that he will kill her in one possible future, Gert hasn't shown any hostility towards the young, innocent Victor. She believes that the future is not set, and Victor has the power to shape his own destiny. Since then he has shown himself to be Gert's intellectual equal, which has granted him her utmost respect (although she did used to put paperclips on his face when he was asleep). This has caused Chase to fear that there may be an attraction brewing between Victor and Gert, despite her assurances that she only loves him.

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