“You’re an idiot and a pin cushion.”
Can I just say I’m slowly falling in love with Mia Dearden? She’s awesome. Let me tell you about this girl. She was abused as a child and ran away from home, only to be thrown into a child prostitution ring. She was rescued by Mr. Ollie Queen (GAHH PRECIOUS MAN), who took her in and eventually allowed her to become the second Speedy.
She later discovered she was HIV-positive—one of the first major comic book characters to ever have to face the virus. Yet she remains strong, hopeful, and doesn’t let anyone give her any crap.
It’s adorable, awesome role models like Mia that women need. I’m not saying Mia’s perfect. You can see that just by looking at her. But none of us a perfect. We need girls like Mia to prove that standing up is not only “acceptable” for a girl—it’s what they should do. I’ve known too many girls who have been victims of abuse and have been too terrified to tell anyone. I’ve known too many girls who’ve been hurt by their boyfriends, thinking that’s just another step in the relationship. That it will all be alright, that as the girl they should just “wait.” I’ve known too many girls who have stopped fighting for whatever reason, thinking themselves too weak, that they need to be “protected” or that “no one cares about them.”
Mia’s one of those comic book ladies who calls “BS” on that rule. She helps prove that it isn’t just a boy who can hold his own in a battle—whether that battle be with a virus, another human being, or against one’s self.
I really want to compose a list of comic’s greatest female role models. Because people need to see that. I’m tired of hearing things like “most female superheroes are pretty lame” or that all comics centered around a female are basically pin-up posters. That’s ridiculous. Real women and fictional women are more than toys and eyecandy. They aren’t sideline characters. If you’re a women, YOU know that you’re more than just a sideline character in your life.
Anyway, I’m done ranting. The point is this—Mia Dearden is freaking awesome, and you should read more about her. You should read more about herand the hundreds of other fabulous comic book ladies that have taught me and thousands others to be comfortable in their own skin.
