Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Speedy, sidekick to comic book superhero Green Arrow, is much like her peers. She is young, agile, talented, headstrong, dedicated, and even a little petulant. Yet something major sets her apart from, say, Batman's Robin. Speedy is HIV-positive. A longtime DC Comics superhero, Green Arrow uses an arsenal of unusual arrows to combat evildoers. In 2001 a character named Mia, a 17-year-old street kid entangled in prostitution and drugs, was introduced. After meeting Green Arrow, she cleaned up, developed a crush on his arrow-slinging son, and eventually expressed a desire to join them in crime fighting. In a revelation that brought major repercussions for the series' continuity'as well as the real-life mainstream press'Mia was diagnosed as HIV-positive at the climax of December's Issue 43. In Issue 45 she assumes the Speedy mantle and becomes mainstream comics' first HIV-positive superhero sidekick. 'The best part about this story is that this is not about a death sentence,' says DC Comics editorial vice president Dan DiDio. 'This is more about life and living.' Green Arrow editor Bob Schreck and writer Judd Winick were behind this recent development. The two are no strangers to socially relevant, controversial content. In 2002 they were responsible for a gay-bashing story arc in the Green Lantern series (now collected as a paperback book called Brother's Keeper). And Winick based his GLAAD Media Award'winning graphic novel, Pedro and Me, on his friendship with the late AIDS activist Pedro Zamora; they met while housemates on MTV's The Real World in its San Francisco season. HIV-positive characters have appeared sporadically in comics over the years, including Jim Valentino's Shadowhawk, Peter David's run on The Hulk, and Robert Walker's upcoming The Omen, which involves a clan of multicultural HIV-positive heroes. Yet Winick is quick to point out that 'the difference is, this is a mainstream book with a mainstream character who, by the way, is not going to die.' Winick insists that Speedy's being HIV-positive is 'first and foremost' a good story, yet he does acknowledge the development as being an educational watershed, especially for young readers faced with the Bush administration's abstinence-only HIV-prevention approach and bafflingly infrequent public discussion. 'It is an insane time,' Winick laments. '''Abstinence only' is a joke. It is unconscionable, dangerous, and proved not to work. You have to give our young people choice. If in a small way we elevate a discussion on the subject, a discourse, it is worth it. Look what is already happening. We do this story, and now there is discussion on HIV [in the media], which is more than what has been going on for many, many years. It took a superhero [seroconverting] for us to talk about it'and better a superhero than an actual person. Is this appropriate for a comic book? Well, I think the story is appropriate anywhere. I think we should be discussing this more and more.' Speedy's HIV status, while by no means her defining trait, will be discussed regularly with accuracy and detail, according to Winick, from her T-cell count and viral load to combination therapy and its side effects as well as HIV prevention issues. For Winick, researching this data is easy'his wife, Pam Ling, is a physician who works with HIV-positive patients, and 'four of my best friends are positive and on the cocktails,' he says. 'It is like brunch conversation.' This winter Mia will also join the ongoing cast of a second DC series, the ultrapopular Teen Titans, where she will kick even more villainous butt. As for whether her own solo title could be in the cards, Winick says that depends on fan demand. 'I would not be surprised,' he admits. 'She has been a hero all of one month, and she is already joining the Teen Titans. I would love nothing better than for her popularity to grow. It could be an eventuality she would have her own book.'
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Diets that mimic fasting reverse aging: study
March 07 2024 5:28 PM
The Most Amazing HIV Allies & Advocates of 2023
November 03 2023 12:51 PM
PrEP without a prescription now a reality in California
February 06 2024 8:37 PM
This OnlyFans Star Is Trying to Raise $100K to Fight HIV
December 26 2023 3:05 PM
The naked Black body takes center stage in this HIV campaign
January 03 2024 1:07 PM
Mr. Gay World wants to make sure you're OK
January 02 2024 4:56 PM
The First Person Cured of AIDS Gets His Due
December 19 2023 1:12 AM
HIV Advocate, Journalist Josh Kruger Murdered in His Home
October 06 2023 3:19 PM
35 Years of World AIDS Day
December 01 2023 8:35 AM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
8 dating tips for gay men from a gay psychotherapist
March 21 2024 2:50 PM
Unleash your fiery spirit with The Pride Store’s Aries gift guide
March 21 2024 2:08 PM
Crafting diversity and inclusivity in beauty with Fashion Foundry
March 20 2024 5:27 PM
Vibrant locks rain or shine with The Pride Store's top haircare essentials
March 19 2024 2:13 PM
At risk for syphilis or chlamydia? There’s a PEP for that
March 19 2024 12:04 PM
'Drag Race' star Q shares she's living with HIV
March 18 2024 3:08 PM
Empowering women with Nashelle Jewelry this Women's History Month
March 13 2024 3:05 PM
Scarlet fever: exploring our fascination with blood
March 13 2024 1:47 PM
Bloom in your skin with The Pride Store’s skincare essentials
March 12 2024 4:31 PM
Nex Benedict’s tragic death further proves that Oklahoma is not OK
March 12 2024 2:57 PM
Mr. Gay World's Plus cover story: behind the scenes
March 08 2024 4:47 PM
HIV+ man banned from jail work program gets last laugh
March 07 2024 4:14 PM
The Werkroom's artistic rebellion transforms pop culture icons into queer fantasies
March 07 2024 2:23 PM
Get your spring bling on with The Pride Store’s jewelry picks
March 05 2024 4:43 PM
Is this the future of PrEP?
March 01 2024 5:54 PM
Leap (Day) into luxury with The Pride Store's flash promotion!
February 28 2024 2:15 PM
Top 10 gifts that bind to celebrate your chosen family
February 28 2024 11:58 AM