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< Return to Famous Jews Gertrude Yorkes, a.k.a. Arsenic

The Religious Affiliation of Comic Book Character
Gertrude Yorkes
Arsenic
of the Runaways


Gertrude Yorkes, who occaionally uses the codename "Arsenic," is the daughter of super-villains who came to our time from far in the future (the 87th Century). Her parents, along with other super-villains, formed a group known as "The Pride." Gertrude (or "Gert" as she is known for short) was one of a number of teenaged children of these super-villains who ran away after they discovered that the truth about their parents. The teenagers planned to form a super-hero group, and became collectively known as the "Runaways."

Gertrude Yorkes is Jewish, but is presently agnostic.

Gertrude Yorkes is Jewish
Above: Gertrude's teammate asks if Old Lace (Gertrude's genetically engineered dinosaur) is Jewish like Gertrude. [Source: story titled "Free", published in X-Men/Runaways one-shot, a Free Comic Book Day special publication\s; written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Skottie Young; Marvel Entertainment Group: New York (May 2006), page 2.]

Gertrude Yorkes: not totally pacifist
Above: Gertrude Yorkes explains to Kitty Pryde that she isn't quite a pacifist... Her level of non-violence is more like that of a vegetarian compared to a Vegan. [Source: story titled "Free", published in X-Men/Runaways one-shot, a Free Comic Book Day special publication\s; written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Skottie Young; Marvel Entertainment Group: New York (May 2006), page 8.]
From: "Gertrude Yorkes" article on Wikipedia website (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_Yorkes; viewed 21 May 2006):
Gert considers herself to be agnostic, though she is ethnically Jewish. She is presented as knowing a little Hebrew, presumably as a result of a Jewish education.

Discussion

From: "Where are the Christian Superheroes?" forum discussion page started 22 August 2006 on Newsarama website (http://forum.newsarama.com/archive/index.php/t-81451.html; viewed 5 May 2007):

Mr Wesley
08-22-2006, 10:03 AM

...I pose the question to you, my fellow Talk@Ramanians: If Christianity is the most popular faith in the United States, why aren't there more openly Christian superheroes?

nietoperz
08-22-2006, 10:07 AM

I don't think there are so many openly Jewish or Muslim Superheroes either (at least not American ones). In the end, non-denominational heroes will appeal to a broader spectrum of readers, or at least I'm sure that's the theory.

MoneyMelon
08-22-2006, 10:08 AM

I don't think there are so many openly Jewish or Muslim Superheroes either.

Timberoo
08-22-2006, 10:16 AM

...btw [by the way] - Kitty Pride is Jewish.

deldredz
08-22-2006, 10:20 AM

re: btw - Kitty Pride is Jewish.

Magneto, Songbird (Melissa Gold), Gertrude from Runaways.


Webpage created 21 May 2006. Last modified 8 June 2007.
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