Verdon was among a number of chimpanzees held at the Gen-Sys Laboratories for experimental research into the "ALZ-112" drug, when the wild African chimpanzee Bright Eyes was first brought to the facility. Other chimpanzees held there included Lorelei, Chambers and Burke. A military-sanctioned variant of the drug was administered to Burke and Verdon, the latter of whom showed warmth towards Bright Eyes after her arrival. Verdon was later shot attempting to escape, which had a profound effect on Bright Eyes as she began to feel the same urge for freedom.
Notes[]
- Verdon and Burke share their names with astronauts Alan Virdon and Peter Burke from the 1974 Planet of the Apes TV series, though the mis-spelling of 'Verdon' first occured on the 1975 Mego line of action figures. Ian Brill, editor of the comic, suggested names Verdon and Burke.[1]