Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - Thursday, 14 October, 2004
Mia is a teenage runaway who discovers she contracted HIV during time spent as a homeless prostitute.
The DC Comics character adopts the name Speedy and becomes a crime-fighter.
"Mia is coming to terms with it in the way most young people are," said writer Judd Winick. "Young people, for good or for bad, are still pretty fearless."
Life focus
Published in the US on Wednesday, the latest issue of Green Arrow shows Mia becoming the lead character's sidekick after discovering she is HIV positive.
"It's not as a death wish, but she can't fool around anymore," said Winick.
"This isn't about an abbreviated life span. It is about life having focus."
Winick said he wanted to approach HIV from the point of view of other young people.
"It isn't about death and dying," he said. "With drug combination therapy people are living a very long time.
"She seems to be unafraid of death, she's mostly feeling like no-one is ever going to love her."
Avoids metaphor
As Speedy, she will later join the Teen Titans comic book series alongside Batman's sidekick Robin, Cyborg and Raven.
Independent comic publisher Image introduced ShadowHawk, the first superhero with Aids, in 1993 but Speedy is the first HIV positive hero to appear in a major comic book series.
"Comics have a long history of telling lessons," Winick added.
"They tell stories through metaphor, but sometimes I feel we don't need the metaphor. Why should it be that Mia contracts some alien virus?"
041014
BB041007
Copyright © 2004 - BBC. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BBC.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.