Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Green Arrow #44

By Koppy McFad
December 1, 2004 - 10:12

This is the issue where Green Arrow's ward, Mia finally reveals that she is HIV-positive. There have been comic titles with HIV-infected characters before but the creative team here is really milking the issue for all it is worth. There is a lengthy talk about the drug cocktail Mia will have to take, the discipline she will have to develop, the loneliness she will have to endure... some of it is quite moving but a lot of it is rather preachy. At least Winick didn't resort to scolding the readers for being so judgemental. Even the tender scene between Mia and Connor at the end seems tacked on. Meanwhile, the whole plotline about the crimelord Brick, taking over Star City, grinds to a halt. Hester and Parks do a fine job even though they basically just draw a bunch of people standing around talking. I do believe that Winick had the best intentions in writing this story and did not do it for the publicity but he definitely could have gotten his point across without sounding so didactic.

Last Updated: November 29, 2025 - 16:51