Jenrietta Valeska

**Jenrietta Valeska** is the female version of Jerome Valeska. Jenrietta’s twin sister, Jeriah Valeska, is the female version of Jeremiah Valeska. Jenrietta is a mass murderer and psychopathic anarchist. She is the more vengeful and chaotic twin sister of the obsessive and methodical anarchist mastermind, Jeriah Valeska.

Jenrietta Valeska is the leader of The Maniax, the Cult of Jenrietta, and The Legion of Horribles. She is a minor turned major antagonist of season 2 & 3 & 4 of *Gotham.*

## Biography

**Early Life**

Jenrietta Valeska was born and raised in Haly's Circus. Jenrietta and her twin sister, Jeriah Valeska, were both born to Lila Valeska and Paul Cicero, the snake dancer and the blind fortune teller at the circus. Jenrietta and Jeriah were both raised by their mother, Lila Valeska. Jenrietta and Jeriah never knew about their father. Jenrietta was told by her mother that her father was a sea captain named Sven Karlsen, who died while at sea. Their mother was cold-hearted and never loved anyone, not even her daughters. She was abusive, alcoholic and very promiscuous and would constantly abuse Jenrietta, sometimes even having her lovers abuse Jenrietta. On her and Jeriah’s 9th birthday, when Haly’s Circus traveled to Kansas City, her mother along with a random man she was with both boozed, boned, & beat Jenrietta up. She was crying outside the trailer when Paul Cicero, the blind fortune teller at Haly’s Circus, told her that the world didn't care about her and that it was better to realize it then.

Jeriah was favored and treated better than Jenrietta as they were growing up. Jeriah took advantage of this and made up lies about Jenrietta scaring and abusing her to their mother. One night, their uncle Zachary, with their mother’s knowledge, secretly sent Jeriah away from Jenrietta and the circus to live at St. Ignatius for her own safety from the abuse. Jeriah ended up getting adopted by The Wildes, a wealthy rich family in New York, and never came back. Jenrietta was left all alone and abandoned by her own sister in the circus. Jeriah turned all of her family against Jenrietta by making up lies about her and then left her in the circus for good. This resulted in Jenrietta developing a hatred for her twin sister and a thirst for revenge.

**Killing Her Mother**

After Jeriah left the circus, the abuse got worse and happened even more. Jenrietta became sick of her mother's constant abuse and nagging especially after she had sexual relations in the room next to hers, so at eighteen years old, Jenrietta killed her mother, and was allowed by Paul Cicero to clean up in her trailer. Jenrietta was then told by Cicero to scratch the initials for the Hellfire Club on the hatchet used to kill Lila, and to throw it off Arkham Bridge. Later, when Detective Gordon along with Leslie Thompkins and the circus ringmaster, came looking for Lila Valeska, Jenrietta answered the door to the trailer, denying knowing where she was. Gordon later had Lila's snake lead the group to her dead body, with Jenrietta fake crying and pretending to act shocked and in despair at seeing her dead mother. At the Gotham City Police Department headquarters, Jenrietta was questioned by Gordon on whether or not her mother had any enemies, and how she felt about her sex life, in an attempt to discern a possible suspect. Jenrietta was later brought back to the GCPD on the request of Gordon, who had come to the conclusion that Jenrietta had killed her mother, and Cicero, who Gordon had also come to the conclusion was Jenrietta's father, had helped her cover it up. Paul Cicero confirmed that he was her biological father and that her mother was a cruel woman but she still loved him and loved Jenrietta very much. She broke down crying at this news, but her cries turned into laughter. Jenrietta later admitted to killing her mother, laughing maniacally and claiming that her mother was a cold hearted whore who never loved anyone and who would never touch a pathetic creep like her father, then bursting into maniacal laughter again and saying it was very funny and said “My father? I’ll be damned. Looks like the bitch got me with a zinger in the end.” When Detective Jim Gordon asked Jenrietta why she killed her mother, she responded with, “You know how mothers are. She just kept pushing. I’m like fine, mom, be a whore. Be a drunken whore even. But don’t be a nagging drunken whore, ya know? Don’t come yell at me to do dishes WHEN YOU’VE BEEN BANGING A CLOWN IN THE NEXT ROOM! Ya know?” And then laughing maniacally again. Jenrietta was later arrested and incarcerated at Arkham Asylum.

**Arkham Asylum**

Jenrietta is a lesbian and had a crush on Barbara Kean, another female inmate at the asylum who killed her parents, and was checking her out as she walked into Arkham for the first time. She later introduced herself and began flirting with her and made attempts at becoming her friend. She approached her on the behalf of Richard Sionis, attempting to persuade her that a girl needed a friend in the Asylum, as bad things happened there all of the time. She further explained that her friend, Richard Sionis, ran the place, and could get her anything she needed. Jenrietta was later among the six inmates knocked out by the knockout gas that came out of Zaardon's body and abducted by Theo and Tabitha Galavan. Regaining consciousness alongside the other inmates, Jerome was formally introduced to Theo Galavanand his sister, Tabitha, with Theo offering the six inmates the chance to become a team of brilliant outlaws that would make Gotham Citytremble.

**Leading the Maniax**

Jenrietta and the other inmates end up forming The Maniax, led by Jenrietta herself.

The Maniax make their presence known by breaking into a shipyard and stealing a fully loaded refueling truck. They bring the seven hostages on the roof of the Gotham Gazette, write letters on each and throw them off the roof so that the corpses on the ground spell MANIAX. When Dobkins asks what they do with the spare hostage, Jenrietta paints a "!" on the man's chest and tells Helzinger to throw him down too.

While in their new headquarter, Jenrietta finds a sword which Greenwood immeadiately takes from her. When Jenrietta asks her nicely to give it back, Greenwood tells Jenrietta to "make him", calling her a little brat. Jenrietta takes a chainsaw and the two of them prepare to fight but are disturbed by Theo Galavan who orders them to stop immediately. When Dobkins chides them because they are a team, Greenwood proclaims himself the team captain but Jenrietta immediately denies that, planning to become the leader herself. Sensing the tension between the two, Galavan states that this problem must be resolved immediately. He draws his gun and removes all but one bullet, asking them if they know this game. Greenwood takes the gun, aims at his head and shoots but nothing happens. After Jenrietta does three times in a row, telling Greenwood she's the boss and laughing after saying that, Jenrietta is made the leader of their organization by Galavan's permission.

As the next part of their plan, the Maniax hold a cheerleader school bus hostage (apparently the decision was between it and a senior citizen bingo party, with the cheerleader school bus ultimately being decided) and plan to set it on fire with the fuel from the refueling truck they stole earlier. After spilling the fuel in the bus, Jenrietta realises that her lighter isn't working and, embarassed, asks the cheerleaders if any of them has fire. She is provided with a lighter by Dobkins, however the incident cost them enough time for the police to arrive. Jenrietta tells the Maniax to stand their ground because the policemen cannot risk to shoot at the bus. She tells Helzinger and Greenwood to get the truck and, after running out of ammunition for her revolver while firing at Gordon, orders Dobkins to light the bus up. The Maniax leave with Jenrietta continuing spilling fuel from the hose while they drive off but Dobkins is left behind. Their plan was ultimately foiled due to the quick thinking of Gordon after she accidentally set the fuel alight.

When they find out that the police is searching for them, the Maniax except Helzinger and Barbara enter the GCPD precinct disguised as policemen. Jenrietta tells an officer that she needs to speak with Commissioner Essen immediately and enters her bureau. When she recognized her, she draws her gun to keep her quiet while her colleagues start shooting up the precinct. With Greenwood filming them, Jenrietta has a discussion with Essen after the massacre. Essen tells her that she will soon be dead and that the world will go on without her, but he replies that she and the Maniax will leave a mark on the city. When Greenwood interferes, saying "there's nothing more contagious than laughter," which Jenrietta was about to say, Jenrietta shoots the cannibal for stealing her line.

When Gordon returns to the precinct, he finds most of his colleagues dead. Searching for his boss he finds Essen dying, having been mortally wounded by Jenrietta. While cleaning up the precinct, Gordon is told to look at the news. When he looks at the TV he sees a video message from Jenrietta, in which she reveals herself as the leader and the "shot caller" of the Maniax. She tells the viewers that she will be back soon and that they have seen nothing yet.

**The Last Laugh and First Death**

When Jim Gordon and the reinstated Harvey Bullock get a lead on Paul Cicero, who bailed on Jenrietta during their first interogation, Jenrietta and Tabitha confront him and stab him in the eye before escaping after Jim Gordon was knocking on the old man's door, although not before learning from Cicero that Jenrietta will ultimately be a curse open Gotham, and her legacy would leave death and destruction. Jenrietta killed Paul and made his escape. Before escaping, she hid knockout gas in Cicero's jacket, knocking Bullock unconscious. Jim attempted to fight Jenrietta, but was knocked out by Tabitha.

Jenrietta and Barbara later teamed up to hold an entire room of people hostage, dressed up in sexy burlesque dresses and matching masquerade masks, Barbara acting as her assistant. They lured the crowd into a false sense of security and then Jenrietta killed the deputy mayor. Jenrietta, while ominously telling the audience while still disguised as a burlesque show girl, that no one was getting out alive reveals herself mid-way through the act by throwing a knife at Deputy Mayor Kane and the rest of the Maniax attack the audience, quickly convoluting into a hostage situation. She then proceeded to subdue Leslie Thompkins and then string her up to a wheel, as well as confiscated her cellphone to contact Jim Gordon for a ransom, as well as hijacking the news cameras to give her what she wants or else she'll start killing the hostages, which she made clear will be demonstrated on live TV on every house across Gotham. There, Jenrietta goes terrorizing the attendees until their boss, Theo Galavan acts like he is the hero and stands up to the two until Barbara knocks him out with a mallet and says "boring."

Jenrietta asked for Brooke Wayne, threatening to shoot her butler and guardian Alfred Pennyworth. Brooke revealed herself and Jenrietta held her hostage. She puts a knife on Brooke's throat and slowly starts to slit it until the GCPD arrive. Theo, having regained consciousness, appears behind Jenrietta and stabs her in the neck to better his appearance as a hero. While Jenrietta falls to the floor, Theo apologizes to her and acknowledges her talent but reveals that she only used Jenrietta to boost her popularity and that he is now the hero. With her last words, Jenrietta tries to answer but dies before she could finish her sentence with a bloody smile on her face.

**Jenrietta’s Legacy**

Several copycats across Gotham City began mimicking Jenrietta's laughter after seeing her on the news seemingly experiencing psychotic breaks, two men even murdered a homeless man, apparently under her influence. Then one of the pair began stabbing his friend to death, thus showing Cicero's prophecy that Jenrietta's legacy would be death and madness is becoming a reality.

A nightclub and band run by a woman named Jeri appears dedicated to Jenrietta and the Maniax with attendees wearing straitjackets similar to those which Jenrietta and the Maniax wore when they attempted to set fire to the school bus and images and news footage of Jenrietta and her gang, as well as their mugshots hung up around the club.

**Rebirth and Escape**

After her demise, Jenrietta was transported to the research facility, Indian Hill, where she was stored into a glass tube along with other deceased people including Theo himself.

Jenrietta later became one of many test subjects to be revived from the dead by Professor Hugo Strange. Along with the other revived "monsters" Jenrietta was put on a bus to be delivered to another facility upstate, but another revived inmate Fish Mooney hijacked the bus and crashed it in Gotham City. Jenrietta, along with the other "monsters", were released with the help of an unsuspecting elderly homeless woman, and left the area in bound for the city.

After the downfall of Indian Hill, the cryogenically frozen corpse of Jenrietta Valeska was taken inside a storage warehouse along with multiple other bodies involved with the facility. Dwight Pollard, who used to be an employee at Indian Hill prior to it closing down managed to learn how to resurrect the dead based on the research of his former boss Hugo Strange. Dwight was also the leader of Jenrietta Valeska's cult. After Pollard and his follower, Gus, decided the time has come to resurrect Jenrietta, they led the cult of Jenrietta to the warehouse in order to recover Valeska's corpse. While trying to revive Jenrietta, Dwight realized that the process hadn't worked and that Jenrietta was seemingly still dead. With the GCPD closing in quickly, he decided to "give the cult members Jenrietta" and cut off her face, after killing the associate that helped him, and then escaped. Jim Gordon later saw Jenrietta's bloody face-less corpse laying on the operating table.

Jenrietta's corpse was brought to the GCPD morgue where she suddenly woke up and killed a nearby police officer, taking her gun, and also bandaged her skinless face. When Leslie Thompkins enters the morgue, Jenrietta comes up behind her and takes her hostage, she asks her a few questions about her revival. Jenrietta learned the members of the Cult of Jenrietta was responsible for her return, becoming very amused. She then recognized Leslie and asked if she was Jim's girlfriend and if they were still together. After laughing at the news of Jim killing her new husband on their wedding night, she recalled her own death and decided to kill Theo Galavan for revenge in causing his demise. However, she was disappointed to hear from Leslie that not only had someone already killed Galavan but that he came back just like her before being killed again.

Jenrietta then asked her where her face was and, with her not knowing the location, decided to gag her and turn on the news. Suddenly, she sees Channel 9 News started broadcasting which showed Dwight wearing Jenrietta's face as a grotesque mask and Jenrietta proclaimed that Dwight had no stage presence and no charisma. Jenrietta then took a cop car and, after hitting a pedestrian, went to the Channel 9 News Studio. Jenrietta kidnapped Dwight and took him to the city's power plant. Once there, Jenrietta stapled her face back on with a staple gun and, at first, was nice to a increasingly frightened Dwight, exclaiming "What's a cut-off face between friends" since he brought her back. However, she later beat him, tied him up, laced him with explosives, and then began to broadcast a message of her own. She made a speech about her coming back from the death and how it felt to be reborn and that everyone in Gotham should "Do what you want. Kill who you want". She then lit a firecracker and threw it on the ground in front of Dwight, telling him "I don't forgive you for the face" before laughing hysterically and leaving. Dwight stared blankly as the power plant exploded, killing him and putting Gotham in a city wide blackout.

**Leading the Cult of Jenrietta**

## Personality

Jenrietta was a remorseless, unpredictable and utterly psychopathic girl with a deep enjoyment of needless acts of violence and chaos, committed by her and the Maniax or just in general. Unlike anything Gotham had ever seen before, Jenrietta was not an ordinary criminal in regards that she cared nothing about organised crime or profiteering but how she only relished in the mindless agony of everything around her. Penguin even states how she went against how usual criminals behaved due to her chaotic and unreasonable methods; singlehandedly, Jenrietta introduced the city, and perhaps even the world, an altogether different class of criminal, one that personified complete sadism, madness and pure, unadorned evil with no distinguishable objective or reasoning, beyond simply that he could or she enjoyed doing so. Her presence, even after death, tipped the scales of the kind of maniac Gotham could produce. It is heavily implied that her sociopathic views and her vile behavior, even by Gotham's standards, was the result of both her horrible childhood of being abused by her mother as well as Cicero, far from comforting Jenrietta on her ninth birthday, telling her that no one's going to care about her.

A showgirl, Jenrietta had a theatricality to her insanity that Galavan described as being "charismatic and charming". She enjoyed her time in the spotlight to the point where the rest of Gothan's criminals would operate within the shadows, she would televise her crimes for everyone to see. Whatever atrocities she would commit, one would always guarantee that there would be cameras nearby and she would do such act with a smile on her face. Cruel yet charismatic, Jenrietta desired to create a name for herself and a legacy that would never be forgotten, she brandished a smile when Paul Cicero claimed she would become a "curse upon Gotham". Her plans were usually intricate and needlessly complex, sometimes finding the challenge of them becoming a fruition or a failure entertaining nonetheless if they succeeded or otherwise and usually showcased her cunning and ingenuity in her designs. In the mind of Jenrietta, sanity was only a prison that prevented everyone from seeing what they were: pointless cogs within a monogamous machine stuck between a never-ending loop. Jenrietta and the Maniax believed that they were free from this prison due to their different ways of thinking and acting in comparison to everyone else and encouraged others to behave like they did, although they only thought this way because they were all mentally troubled, delusional and borderline insane.

One of her most noticeable traits was her disturbed sense of humour which was accompanied with a never-ending, manic giggling and outright laughter towards everything which fit right within Jenrietta's own beliefs on what was funny. She was sadistic and found immense joy in the idea of pain and death towards others, she smiled broadly when Richard Sionis was strangled to death and shot an injured police officer whom interrupted her broadcast from the GCPD, claiming she had "no manners". Jenrietta demonstrated a fondness for sarcasm, using it in a sick sense such as telling her father, who was blind "long time, no see" after breaking into her house. She enjoyed her own pain as well, making her suicidal as demonstrated while playing Russian Roulette, shot herself three times in a calm manner and how she found Commissioner Essen spitting at her and head butting her as "strangely pleasant" and laughing crazily, respectively. Even while being killed, she found enough humour within the situation to smile.

Jenrietta had a definable relationship with most members of the Maniax. She seemed to respect Galavan for believing in her and promising to make her a star, she also nicknamed him "Sensei" but was very shocked when the latter stabbed her in the neck. She was sociable towards Richard Sionis and Barbara Kean within Arkham Asylum, as she appeared to be friends with her and speaking for her when trying to ask Barbara for a date, although she found him being brutally murdered funny enough to grin at. She and Barbara worked together at Gotham Charity Ball and she was the one who granted her a phone call to threaten her ex-boyfriend. The most frictional relationship would be with Robert Greenwood whom mocked her for her young age and prepared to fight her to lead the Maniax. Though they worked together to kill the officers with GCPD and were a part of the same team, Jenrietta shot her dead for stealing her line and mocked her corpse later on.

Regarding her parentage, Jenrietta absolutely hated her mother and father. Though she finally discovered that Paul Cicero was her birth father, Jenrietta initially seemed to have a low opinion of her, claiming she was "pathetic" and a "creep". Even after learning that Cicero was her birth father, Jenrietta merely stated "I'll be damned" in a non-chalant manner, only shortly afterwards realizing the humor in the revelation. Cicero was somewhat unsympathetic towards his daughter and admits he was a bad father but loved her nevertheless and constantly gave her shelter and a home, even helping Jenrietta cover up her matricide for that reason alone. Whilst meeting with him after breaking into his house, Jenrietta mockingly called him "pops", "daddy" and "dad" all before killing him. Her mother was her first ever victim. She was stated to be cold and abusive to her daughter, and highly promiscuous and alcohol but Jenrietta claims that the only reason she killed her was because she asked him to do the dishes while having sex with a clown, which pushed her over the edge once too far.