Mia Dearden is a

DC Comics DC Comics (originally DC Comics, Inc., and also known simply as DC) is an American comic book publisher owned by DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC is an initialism for "Detective Comics", an American comic book seri ...

superheroine A superhero or superheroine is a fictional character who typically possesses Superpower (ability), ''superpowers'' or abilities beyond those of ordinary people, is frequently costumed concealing their identity, and fits the role of the hero, t ...

, the second character to take up the mantle of

Green Arrow Green Arrow is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and designed by George Papp, he first appeared in ''More Fun Comics'' No. 73 on September 19, 1941 (cover dated November 1941), th ...

sidekick A sidekick is a close companion or colleague who is, or is generally regarded as, subordinate to those whom they accompany. Origins The first recorded use of the term dates from 1896. It is believed to have originated in pickpocket slang of ...

Speedy Speedy refers to something or someone moving at high speed. Speedy may refer to: People * Speedy (nickname), a list of people * Speedy Long (1928–2006), American lawyer and politician * Speedy Mashilo (born 1965), South African politician * ...

. Created by writer

Kevin Smith Kevin Patrick Smith (born August 2, 1970) is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. He came to prominence with the low-budget buddy comedy film ''Clerks (film), Clerks'' (1994), which he wrote, directed, co-produced, and acted i ...

and artist Phil Hester, she first appeared in ''Green Arrow'' (vol. 3) #2 (May 2001). She is one of the few

HIV-positive The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of '' Lentivirus'' (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the im ...

characters in

comic book A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...

s. Mia Dearden appeared in ''

Smallville ''Smallville'' is an American superhero fiction, superhero television series developed by writer-producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, based on the DC Comics character Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The series was produce ...

'', portrayed by Elise Gatien. A loose adaptation,

Thea Queen Thea Dearden Queen, also known as Speedy, is a fictional character portrayed by Willa Holland on The CW television series ''Arrow'', created by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Andrew Kreisberg. She is the maternal half-sister of series prot ...

, appeared on the

Arrowverse The Arrowverse is an American Superhero fiction, superhero media franchise and shared universe that is centered on various interconnected television series based on DC Comics superhero characters, primarily airing on The CW as well as web series ...

television series ''

Arrow An arrow is a fin-stabilized projectile launched by a bow. A typical arrow usually consists of a long, stiff, straight shaft with a weighty (and usually sharp and pointed) arrowhead attached to the front end, multiple fin-like stabilizers c ...

'', portrayed by

Willa Holland Willa Joanna Chance Holland (born June 18, 1991) is an American actress and model. She is best known for her roles as Kaitlin Cooper in the Fox teen drama '' The O.C.'', Aqua in '' Kingdom Hearts,'' and Thea Queen in The CW series ''Arrow'' ...

Fictional character biography

Mia Dearden is a teenage runaway who was abused by her father. Unable to survive on her own, she fell in love with a man who offered her shelter and food in exchange for exploiting her in his child prostitution ring. Dearden was rescued from one of her clients, a depraved local politician, by the hero

. Green Arrow sent her to see Oliver Queen (his real identity) for help, but upon meeting him, Dearden saw through Queen's disguise and recognized him as Green Arrow. She became his new ward; eventually, he came to see her as a daughter. Dearden continued to work with Queen, who began to train her as an archer. In addition, she trained with Oliver Queen's son

Connor Hawke Connor Hawke is a fictional DC Comics superhero who operated as the second Green Arrow, created by Kelley Puckett and Jim Aparo. In the post-''Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!, Zero Hour'' continuity, Connor is the eldest son of Oliver Queen, the orig ...

in martial arts and forged a close friendship with him. Dearden continually petitioned Green Arrow to allow her to serve as his sidekick, but Queen did not wanting to put another teenager at risk (having previously been the mentor of the first Speedy, Roy Harper). As a result of the sexual exploitation she was subjected to prior to her rescue by Queen, Dearden is

. After learning this, she redoubled her efforts to convince Green Arrow to let her become the new

. After Green Arrow agreed and Dearden took up the mantle of Speedy, she joined the

Teen Titans The Teen Titans are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, frequently in eponymous monthly series. As the group's name indicates, the members are teenage superheroes, many of whom have acted as sidekicks to DC ...

at the advice of Green Arrow. In order to earn her spot on the team,

Cyborg A cyborg (, a portmanteau of ''cybernetics, cybernetic'' and ''organism'') is a being with both Organic matter, organic and biomechatronic body parts. The term was coined in 1960 by Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline.Robin. Although Robin beat Speedy, Dearden proved herself to be a very skilled fighter and was accepted onto the team. Shortly after her first official mission with the Titans, she revealed to the team that she was HIV-positive. They accepted her without question or fear. After the events of ''

Infinite Crisis "Infinite Crisis" is a 2005–2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, ...

'', Dearden recuperated from injuries on an island with Green Arrow and Connor, returning approximately a year later.''Green Arrow'' (vol. 3) #64 During her time on the island, Mia trained in new styles of fighting and healing, and developed her teamwork with Green Arrow. While searching the world alongside Black Canary and Green Arrow for Connor Hawke, who was kidnapped by the League of Assassins after an attack on Green Arrow, Dearden met and became attracted to a young British vigilante known as Dodger. Throughout the mission, Speedy and Dodger worked together, this partnership culminating in Dodger asking Dearden out on a date. After Connor's rescue, Dearden moved to London to pursue a romance with Dodger; however, the two eventually broke up and Dearden returned to the United States. She returned in a black costume, visually differentiating her from Green Arrow and Red Arrow (the new alias of Roy Harper). During the ''

Blackest Night "Blackest Night" is a 2009–10 American comic book Fictional crossover, crossover storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous central miniseries, written by Geoff Johns and penciled by Ivan Reis, along with a number of tie-in i ...

'' storyline, Speedy briefly traveled to Coast City with Connor in order to fight off the

Black Lantern The Black Lantern Corps is a fictional organization of wikt:corporeal, corporeal revenants (resembling intelligent zombies or jiangshi) appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, related to the emotional spectrum. The group is composed of d ...

invasion. She and Connor rescued Black Canary from Green Arrow, who had been transformed into a Black Lantern by Nekron.''Black Lantern Green Arrow'' They returned to Star City following the end of ''Blackest Night''. During the events of '' Justice League: Cry for Justice'', Dearden is babysitting Roy Harper's daughter Lian, but is called away when the

Electrocutioner The Electrocutioner is an alias used by three fictional characters in the DC Universe, all minor enemies of the superhero Batman. Publication history The first Electrocutioner (known only as Buchinsky) appeared in ''Batman'' #331 (January 1981) a ...

is sighted planting bombs, created by

Prometheus In Greek mythology, Prometheus (; , , possibly meaning "forethought")Smith"Prometheus". is a Titans, Titan. He is best known for defying the Olympian gods by taking theft of fire, fire from them and giving it to humanity in the form of technol ...

, in Star City, which are intended to move Star City to an alternate universe. The bombs, however, do not teleport the city but instead begin destroying it. To Dearden's horror, the bombs destroy their home and kill Lian.''Justice League: Cry for Justice'' #7 (March 2010) This leads directly to the storyline of ''Rise and Fall''. In ''Rise and Fall'', Speedy helps out Green Arrow after the Justice League attempts to capture him for killing Prometheus. While Green Arrow distracts the League, Speedy kidnaps the Electrocutioner and brings him to their hideout beneath Star City.''Green Arrow'' (vol. 4) #31 (March 2010) Though Speedy begs Green Arrow for the chance to kill Electrocutioner, he convinces her that murder is not the answer, and takes Electrocutioner into custody.''Green Arrow'' (vol. 4) #32 (April 2010) Following Electrocutioner's arrest, Dearden attends Lian's funeral alongside a number of prominent heroes, including her former teammates from the Teen Titans. During the service, Mia is attacked by Harper, who angrily blames her for Lian's death. Though Ravager intervenes and eventually causes Harper to leave, Dearden is left visibly shaken by his accusations.''Justice League: Rise of Arsenal'' #2 Alongside

Damian Wayne Damian Thomas Wayne is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Batman. He was created by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert. Damian Wayne is the biological son of Bruce Wayne/Batman. His mo ...

and a group of other ex-Titans, Speedy aids the then-current team of Teen Titans during their battle against Superboy-Prime and the

Legion of Doom The Legion of Doom is a group of supervillains who originated in '' Challenge of the Superfriends'', an animated series from Hanna-Barbera based on DC Comics' Justice League. The Legion of Doom has since been incorporated into the main DC Univers ...

. During the battle, she and Ravager work together to successfully take down Persuader.

The New 52

In September 2011,

The New 52 The New 52 was the 2011 revamp and relaunch by DC Comics of its entire Line (comics), line of ongoing monthly superhero American comic books, comic books. Following the conclusion of the "Flashpoint (comics), Flashpoint" Fictional crossover, cros ...

rebooted DC's continuity. In this new timeline, the character is first mentioned in the ''Green Arrow'' storyline ''"Kingdom"'' when a mysterious individual tortures a man for information on the whereabouts of Mia Dearden, whom he somehow considers to be more of a threat to him than the Green Arrow. She is only shown in a picture. She says that her father, John King, is after her.''Green Arrow'' (vol. 5) #37 (December 2014)

Powers and abilities

Mia Dearden possesses no

superhuman The term superhuman refers to humans, humanoids or other beings with abilities and other qualities that exceed those naturally found in humans. These qualities may be acquired through natural ability, self-actualization or technological aids. ...

powers and abilities but is an accomplished archer. Unlike

, who relies on simple wooden shafts, Dearden employs trick arrows. In addition to a bow, Dearden is also proficient in the use of a crossbow. Although Mia is a skilled street fighter, Connor Hawke and

Black Canary Black Canary is the name of two superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. As one of the earliest female superheroes in the DC Comics universe, the character has made numerous appearances in prominent team-up titles, ...

also taught her many forms of martial arts such as Krav Maga, Kenjustu and self-defense prior to her taking up the mantle of "Speedy". One year after ''

'', she expanded her training and is now an expert in sword combat.

In other media

Television

* Mia Dearden appears in ''

'', portrayed by Elise Gatien. Similarly to the comics, this version is a brunette runaway who turned to prostitution before entering an underground boxing ring. In the episode "Crossfire",

Oliver Queen Green Arrow is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and designed by George Papp, he first appeared in ''More Fun Comics'' No. 73 on September 19, 1941 (cover dated November 1941), th ...

finds Dearden and attempts to take her under his wing, but she betrays him to a criminal she owes money to. With

Lois Lane Lois Lane is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1 (June 1938). Lois is an award-winning ...

's help, Queen rescues Dearden. In the episode "Disciple", Dearden is kidnapped by Vordigan before she is rescued by Queen and

Clark Kent Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...

, during which she discovers the former's secret identity and becomes his protégée. She re-appears in Season 11, having adopted the name "Speedy" and joined

Jay Garrick Jason Peter "Jay" Garrick is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the first character known as the Flash. The character first appeared in ''Flash Comics'' #1 (January 1940), created by writer Gardner Fox and ...

. * Characters inspired by Mia Dearden appear in ''

'': ** A loose interpretation named Thea Dearden Queen (portrayed by

) appears as the daughter of Malcolm Merlyn and half-sister of

. Throughout the series, she uses "Mia" as an alias and eventually goes on to join Team Arrow as Speedy. ** A separate character named Mia Smoak (portrayed by

Katherine McNamara Katherine Grace McNamara (born November 22, 1995) is an American actress and singer. She portrayed Clary Fray on the 2016–2019 supernatural drama series '' Shadowhunters'', receiving a Teen Choice Award and a People's Choice Award for her ...

) appears as Queen's future daughter from 2040 who takes on the mantle of the Green Arrow while helping him avert a "

Crisis A crisis (: crises; : critical) is any event or period that will lead to an unstable and dangerous situation affecting an individual, group, or all of society. Crises are negative changes in the human or environmental affairs, especially when ...

References

Sources

* * {{Authority control Characters created by Kevin Smith Characters created by Phil Hester DC Comics sidekicks Comics characters introduced in 2001 DC Comics female superheroes DC Comics martial artists DC Comics orphans Fictional archers Fictional characters from California Fictional characters with HIV/AIDS Fictional child prostitutes Superhero detectives Green Arrow characters Superheroes who are adopted Teenage superheroes Vigilante characters in comics