It’s been an incredible 2013, especially at Girls in Capes: we blossomed from barely a staff of three to an amazing staff of eight, and our writers have explored everything from favorite video game characters and favorite graphic novels to more thought-provoking topics on defying stereotypes and fitting into fandoms. To celebrate, I wanted to share with you my favorite pieces from 2013.
But it’s difficult choosing favorites, especially with the fantastic staff of GIC. How could I just pick five best articles when there’s so much that shone this year? So I didn’t choose just five. Here, in the order in which they were published, are my favorite articles from each writer this year.
Hopelessly Super-Male by Alan Beyersdorf
One of the first articles on the site, Staff Writer Alan Beyersdorf’s discussion of the Super-Male was featured on WordPress’s Freshly Pressed spotlight. Though focusing on children playing with He-Man action figures, he discussed the growing physical bulk of superhero action figures over time while intellectual and less-muscular characters seemed to hold the exclusive role of “bad guy.” A fascinating discussion of how masculinity is posed to children and the importance of moving away from the Super-Male.
Sisterly Love in Lilo & Stitch by Janelle Smith
During The Disney Issue in May, our writers covered a number of interesting and thought-provoking concepts in Disney films. One I found absolutely most interesting was TV & Film Writer Janelle Smith’s discussion of the relationship between Lilo and her older sister Nani in the film Lilo & Stitch, which – as she explains – is one of the only healthy sister relationships seen in Disney movies.
Beauty and the Beast of Social Expectations by Christina Casano
Another piece from The Disney Issue, TV & Film Writer Christina Casano explored the beautiful people of ABC’s Once Upon a Time and how the talent of the show’s actors is overshadowed by their physical appearance. “Beauty and the Beast of Social Expectations” is one of our most popular articles on the site – and one of the most interesting: Christina calls out the “misunderstood” excuse fans use for attractive male villains and points out that actors are rarely both highly talented and highly attractive. OUAT fans aside, it’s a great piece on what makes us love the shows we watch and why.
The “America in Dystopian & Post-Apocalyptic YA Fiction” series by Lorraine Acevedo Franqui
Staff Writer Lorraine Acevedo Franqui debuted on GIC with her three-part series on America’s depiction in dystopian and post-apocalyptic YA, with an overview, a special focus on The Hunger Games, and an exploration of culture. Possibly the most thought-provoking articles on the site this year, the series discusses parallels from political to military topics in dystopian YA.
William Shakespeare’s Star Wars & Interview with Ian Doescher by Mara Delgado
Why wouldn’t geeks love WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S STAR WARS? In a short and fun interview with author Ian Doescher, Young Adult Reviewer Mara Delgado talks iambic pentameter, Elizabethan English, and R2-D2 with Doescher – which combined to make a five-star book.
Bats Mate for Life by Hannah Pingleton
The news of Batwoman’s creative team walking off rocked the internet geekdom, and among all of LGBTQ Writer Hannah Pingleton’s thoughtful and thought–provoking articles this year, her piece on Batwoman and the implication of a marriage ban on the entire Bat family was probably my favorite. While many pieces focused on the Batwoman marriage ban as an issue of gay marriage, Hannah tackled it as part of the larger ban on marriage for the entire Bat Family, and her honest declaration that “The Bat Family … may have been fictional, but they taught me that anyone could be a hero” is a statement to which almost all of us can relate.
Who The Hell is Bucky: Bucky Barnes and the Orphan Storyline by Gabby Taub
November’s Orphan Issue featured a potentially spoileriffic recap of the Winter Soldier storyline by Fantasy Reviewer Gabby Taub. Gabby’s exploration of Bucky’s orphaning – both literal and figurative – and its impact on his relationship with Steve Rogers felt like a heart-wrenching preview of the upcoming Winter Soldier film.
Feliza Casano is the founder and editor in chief of Girls in Capes and writes for all sections of the web magazine. Follow her on Twitter @FelizaCasano.
