original_post:_1/7/2004___________________________ Mia, Max' younger sister, is based on a dear friend from college, Alison. She and I did a lot of theatre together, and we had a kind of brother sister relationship. When I was drawing designs for Mia, she kind of morphed into a caricature of Alison. I don't actually have a younger sister, but I have certainly felt protective of female friends when they are around pervy dudes… of which there are many.