Chicks in Capes

by Lori Gentile, Trina Robbins, Elizabeth Massie

Chicks in Capes is fun and though-provoking collection of all-new prose short stories by a wide range of female authors, including New York Times bestselling authors Nancy Holder, Debbie Viguie, and Jennifer Fallon, along with comic book her-storian Trina Robbins, and a host of other popular fiction and comic book contributors. All of the stories are about super heroines, many characters created exclusively for this collection, and all contributors are female, including the interior illustrator, the cover artist, and the editors. Strong female super-heroine characters from all walks of life are included in this stellar anthology: a parking valet, an archeologist, a bike messenger, a nurse, a holocaust survivor and many more. There is something for everyone is this anthology: action, adventure, drama, romance, science-fiction, and more!

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2010

About the author

From his secret lair in the wilds of Bethlehem, Georgia, Bobby Nash writes. A multitasker, Bobby is certain that he doesnt suffer from ADD, but instead he... ooh, shiny.

When he finally manages to put fingers to the keyboard, Bobby writes novels (Evil Ways; Fantastix), comic books (Fuzzy Bunnies From Hell; Demonslayer; Domino Lady vs. The Mummy; Lance Star: Sky Ranger One Shot), short prose (A Fistful of Legends; Full Throttle Space Tales Vol. 2: Space Sirens; Green Hornet Case Files; Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar), novellas (Lance Star: Sky Ranger; Ravenwood: Stepson of Mystery), graphic novels (Yin Yang; I Am Googol: The Great Invasion), and even a little pulp fiction (Domino Lady; Secret Agent X; The Avenger) just for good measure. And despite what his brother says, Bobby swears he is not addicted to buying DVD box sets and can quit anytime he wants to. Really.

Bobby's work can be found at www.bobbynash.com, www.lance-star.com, www.facebook.com/bobbyenash, and www.twitter.com/bobbynash, among other places across the web.
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Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good anthology of stories that does for the comics genre what Esther Friesner's Chicks in Chainmail did for heroic fantasy, another traditionally male-dominated genre. There's a wide range of protagonists, from the traditional superhero origin tale to stories featuring well established heroes Lady Domino and Lady Action, and from traditional comics scientist and police personnel to a parking attendant and a bicycle delivery messenger. Contributors range from comics icon Trina Robbins and well-known writers Elizabeth Massie and Nancy Holder, to women less well-known in the field. There's an introduction by another comics icon, Maggie Thompson, in which she includes a story that's as good as many of the official contents. Trina Robbins' story is an interesting dystopian science fiction/fantasy mix, the Lady Action story by Kathe Catto is nice, and Nancy Holder's is a good Domino Lady adventure. I also liked the stories by Cathy Clamp, Elaine Lee, Valerie D'Orozio, and Jennifer Fallon. The Elizabeth Massie story was amusing but didn't really go anywhere, and the Gilian Horvath and K.G. McAbee stories were just okay. My favorites were Kirby Girls by Barbara Randall Kesel (which both lived up to the title and made me laugh a lot), and A Touch of Glamour by Debbie Viguie, which would have made a great graphic novel. There are a few typography and continuity problems (a bicycle is blue on one page but red on another, for example), but it's a fine and entertaining group of stories for all genders.

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chicks in Capes is a female superhero anthology. Contributors include Trina Robbins, Nancy Holder, and Elaine Lee. This book is popcorn-mostly very frothy and light but six months from now I do not think I will be able to remember a lot about it. Very few of these stories have any real bite. Enjoyed Kirby Girls-I think most comic fans would like this tale-and Nightingale also stood out. Three stars, sadly.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bull's eye. Sometimes a book will hit your sweet spot perfectly. "Chicks in capes are such a pain," says a character in a story by Debbie Viguie. "What? Are you crazy?" says another character. "Chicks in capes are totally hot." Hot or not, these superhero stories written by women provide an interesting (and fun) perspective on a male-dominated genre. Let's hope there's a volume two in the works.

[Laura C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great superhero short stories! Only one in this I didn't care for... loved the rest!

[Joel Kirk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this was an interesting concept with an anthology that focuses on female superheroes. There is a nice cover giving an idea of what to expect with an attractive heroine in her red boots, short skirt and gloves saluting to the audience that she has things in order.

Unfortunately, as with many anthologies, there are some stories that work and others that don't. Many of the stories don't follow a beginning, middle, and end concept of 'story,' many had 'stories' that were a bit bland and unmemorable, and many don't have a story at all. Some are a bit confusing as many details are shoved in the limited short (e.g. 'The Birth of Lady Sekhmet') or some feel like they are ideas to a bigger story (e.g. 'Inanna: Witchwoman'). On the other hand, there are two stories that were clear, clever and recommended: 'Diary of a Superchick' and 'Silver Slut - And So It Begins.' 'Diary of a Superchick' is basically the story of a petite woman who failed police academy and now works as a parking attendant, moonlighting as a very attractive superheroine who is known for wearing sexy, purple, thigh-high boots - which she treasures. Her story is told from the point of view of a cop who is tracking her down after getting hold of her diary. The cop believes his leads are getting him close to this mysterious and beautiful superheroine, but there is more that he is no aware of. 'Silver Slut - And So It Begins' starts out with a teen getting a cape from her mother, learning powers, and using those powers to stop a crime taking place at a comic convention. It's fast paced, funny...and while the story isn't strong, it's a step up and I wanted to read more adventures from this character, as I did with the heroine from the previous story I liked.

So, while I did enjoy the two described stories - 'Diary of a Superchick' and 'Silver Slut' - which came towards the end of the book...I can't recommend the book overall.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories included some with cliches, some with wonderful innovations, and a wide range in between. The writers of the stories each chose a different take on the idea of women with superpowers and costumes. Some were based on actual comic book characters, with permission, but most were created simply for this anthology. That's too bad, as some of those characters deserve more stories.
Overall, though, the stories were enjoyable adventure stories, with a few having deeper examinations of the lives and mind sets of the super-powered. Think of these as text adaptations of non-existent comic books, and you won't be too far off.

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like all collections of short stories some are better than others and that is true of this one. All of these stories have the common thread of being a "Chick in a Cape" like the title states. Some are established and some brand new. Overall this was a fun quick read.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all collections, some stories I liked better than others, but there wasn't a dud in the bunch. Really a fun read, and a terrific assortment of women wearing capes for all different reasons. I highly recommend it!