As the end of 2023 draws near, the Fanbase Press staff and contributors wanted to take a look back at the year’s media from our very own geeky perspectives. Much like our readers and fans, one way we view and connect with the world around us is through the stories, characters, and heroes that we enjoy or look up to, and it’s always interesting to hear other’s opinions when it comes to their favorites of the year. After much consideration, below are a number of moments, stories, creators, and fandoms that we here at Fanbase Press believe were worth highlighting.
Most Emotionally Impactful Fictional Story of the Year
“It’s difficult for me not to think of American Born Chinese and Ke Huy Quan’s role in the show. I already considered this Disney+ series to be my “Best Show of 2023,” so it clearly has many amazing things working for it. Over the course of the season, we see how impactful words can be on a person’s life, and Quan’s character shares an important message to validate those feelings. It’s a short scene, but immensely powerful and emotional in scale.”
– Travis Lakata, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor, Creator of the Geeky Parent Guide
“I was not expecting it, but what started out as a Brazil-styled second season of Loki became the most emotionally riveting spectacle of the year. To see a perfectly cast and much-loved character that we’ve spent the last decade with get a finale that encapsulates his entire journey in a way that elevates the character and the season sky-rocketing beyond the genre was something I didn’t even know I needed.”
– Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor
“Without a doubt, it was The Last of Us’ “Long, Long Time.” In a series that greatly deviated not only from the zombie genre’s tropes but also from the confines of its source material, it was an incredible breath of fresh air to see a mainstream TV series provide healthy queer representation for what amounted to a beautiful and heartfelt slice-of-life story (if you ignore the apocalyptic content). I can count on one hand the number of occasions that a story has stayed with me for weeks or even months after my initial consumption of it, and I am grateful to have been witness to this loving couple’s journey together.”
– Barbra Dillon, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Fanbase Press
“My pick this year is Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny for the giving a beloved and aging hero a fitting final hurrah. There’s plenty of adventure in Indy’s last film, but its examination of loss, isolation, and regret as the world passes us by will truly stand the test of time.”
– Bryant Dillon, Co-Founder and President of Fanbase Press
Most Visually Impressive Fictional Story of the Year
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse wasn’t just exciting and emotionally charged, it was a visual feast and every accent of color or complete style shift was there to enhance the story, characters, and emotions. Brilliant work from every person that worked on this film.”
– Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor
“Ahsoka was a visual feast on several levels. Not only did the series feel bigger and more cinematic than previous Disney+ Star Wars series, but it was truly breathtaking to witness characters, places, and more from the animated Rebels and Clone Wars series come to life in the live-action TV series.”
– Bryant Dillon, Co-Founder and President of Fanbase Press
“Watching Crater made me feel like I was witnessing people traverse the moon. The landscapes, including a group of friends looking back at Earth, are what you imagine if you ever dreamed of what it would be like on a distant moon or planet. On top of that, it’s an incredible story, and I grapple with the fact that it was pulled off Disney+ shortly after its release; to say my kids and I were disappointed is a massive understatement.”
– Travis Lakata, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor, Creator of the Geeky Parent Guide
Standout Geek Hero (Fictional or Non-Fictional) of the Year
“I think that the original Native American Marvel heroine, Kahhori, from Season 2 of What If… is a big win for representation in the superhero genre, and she is a character who, like Kamala Khan, will only grow in importance and visibility in the coming years.”
– Bryant Dillon, Co-Founder and President of Fanbase Press
“Loki’s final action was everything to me. I was a mess for a good spell after watching it. It was probably the most urgent message a story could have with where we are in the world right now. The feeling of powerlessness. Spider-Man’s “with great power” message was given an overhaul and made to feel so extremely timely.”
– Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor
“I have to say having someone pay for meals during the writer’s strike is incredible. I keep thinking of Drew Carey doing that every single day for months and how much that must’ve helped so many who genuinely struggled to make ends meet.”
– Travis Lakata, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor, Creator of the Geeky Parent Guide
Standout Character of the Year
“As my kids get older and closer to their teenage years, I cannot help but feel for Jin (played by Ben Wang) in American Born Chinese. His struggles in school, with his parents, and all of the magical chaos around him felt completely natural and relatable. It reminded me how difficult life can be for our kids, trying to learn right from wrong, while also trying to navigate finding a place where they feel like they fit in. It is worth watching every second.”
– Travis Lakata, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor, Creator of the Geeky Parent Guide
“Peter Parker and Miles Morales mean the world to me, and so does Gwen Stacey. To see her get real screen time, to see her story arc get real attention, made me very happy. I have adored her since her comic book beginnings, and Across the Spider-Verse grew my heart three sizes bigger because of Gwen. Then, I think Ms. Marvel needs a spot here. The Marvels was so much fun, but, like Gwen Stacey, I have been a fan since her inception in the comic book universe, and seeing Kamala Khan brought to life and juxtaposed with the other two characters was wonderful.”
– Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor
“Ray Stevenson’s final performance as Baylan Skoll, Ashoka’s enigmatic and intriguing ‘Dark Jedi’ seeking a way to bring ‘the cycle to an end’ and ‘secure the future’ was one of the most fascinating fictional figures of 2023. Only time will tell how the series will navigate the actor’s unfortunate passing and if we’ll learn the truth behind his mysterious mission.”
– Bryant Dillon, Co-Founder and President of Fanbase Press
Standout Geek Romance of the Year
“Nothing comes close to Bill and Frank from HBO’s The Last of Us. Actors Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett deliver performances that are indescribable profound in what they have to say about true love.”
– Bryant Dillon, Co-Founder and President of Fanbase Press
“Romance-shmomance, who needs romance when David Tennant was back as Doctor Who and Catherine Tate back was back as Donna. Their first of three specials gave me all the fuzzy feelings I needed to fly high into the holiday. The other two episodes were cherries on top! Otherwise, Miles and Gwen had my heart.”
– Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor
“First thought instantly: Four-Color Heroes. It’s so much more than a story about romance. It’s about finding acceptance and a safe place to be yourself, despite so many people telling you you’re not meant to have that kind of comfort or happiness.”
– Travis Lakata, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor, Creator of the Geeky Parent Guide
Standout Fandom of the Year
“For me, I give 2023 to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans. For the first time in a long time, there was actual excitement in fandom surrounding the release of the Audible audio drama titled Slayers. More importantly, we saw the best of the fandom when they came together to mourn the passing of Buffy and Angel actor Camden Toy and share messages celebrating his life and career.”
– Bryant Dillon, Co-Founder and President of Fanbase Press
“Star Wars. What Ahsoka did was what Star Wars has needed to do for the last few years: take us somewhere else and open the doorway to explore the Force and the universe in new and interesting ways. So, it isn’t necessarily what has happened, but the potential for what will and can happen. It was really difficult not to say Doctor Who, where in three episodes and the introduction of a new Doctor, Davies recharged the two beating hearts of this very important franchise. Like Superman, the world needs a hero like The Doctor.”
– Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor
“If I listen to my heart, it has to be a win for all geeky parents (and Star Wars fans) when they got to watch space dad, aka Mando, sitting on a porch with his feet kicked up as he watches over his son, aka Grogu, as he plays. Come on – how is that not a perfect scene?”
– Travis Lakata, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor, Creator of the Geeky Parent Guide
Standout Creator/Creative Team of the Year
“I want to highlight comics writer Maggie Tokuda-Hall who was not afraid to come forward after a challenging interaction with Scholastic as a potential publisher of her children’s book, Love in the Library. As many creators and publishers will know, it is a delicate balance between maintaining professionalism and discretion (especially when contractually obligated) with calling attention to behavior that needs to be addressed and changed on an industry level. Tokuda-Hall’s decision to publicly address a publisher’s tempering of themes and language addressing evidence-based racism in our history is something that – in my opinion – initiated a conversation that needed to be had and ensured greater transparency and real change.”
– Barbra Dillon, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Fanbase Press
“I wish I had kept up on comic books more this past year, but I will have to say James Gunn who gave us a finale to Guardians of the Galaxy that exceeded all expectations while also gearing up for Superman and navigating the new DCEU. He’s juggling so much and is somehow able to give it all equal care and attention.”
– Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor
“The creative team behind The Nice House on the Lake is incredible. I was able to reserve Volume 2 earlier this year from my local library, and I could not help but breeze through such a complex, intricately woven tale – and instantly saddened by the fact I wanted more immediately after finishing it. James Tynion IV is such an outstanding writer, while the artwork from Alvaro Martinez Bueno and Jordie Bellaire knocks it out of the park.”
– Travis Lakata, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor, Creator of the Geeky Parent Guide
Standout Actor/Cast of the Year
“Hayden Christensen. For someone who has been plagued for so long by criticism and fan hate, he’s had a triumphant return to Star Wars, and his performance in Ahsoka was nothing short of stellar.”
– Bryant Dillon, Co-Founder and President of Fanbase Press
“I think if you can provide a live-action representation of a feeling you had while watching an animated series, then I think I have to give that credit to the cast of Ahsoka. I love Rebels and watching Ahsoka gave me those wonderful vibes, while also providing that hopeful feeling I think we all want when we watch Star Wars.”
– Travis Lakata, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor, Creator of the Geeky Parent Guide
“Tom Hiddleston as Loki. He is Loki. He is the beating heart of probably the best season of not only geeky television this year, but probably one of the best of all television this year.”
– Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor
Biggest Geeky Surprise of the Year
“Godzilla is back, baby! Between Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and Godzilla Minus One — Godzilla – is – back! And not just in a big-budget, slapdash Hollywood kind of way, but in a way that feels profound. In a way that puts the characters in these worlds at the forefront which only makes the Kaiju feel that much more threatening.”
– Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor
“How about my Disney+ bill – does that count? A price tag jumping from $69.99 to almost $150 in what has it been – 2 to 3 years – and I’m absolutely surprised how sickening it is to see such a price hike, even though it should come as no surprise. It’s also surprising to see price hikes across streaming services, but then see an increase in television commercials advertising their latest shows or movies. Huh, I guess it’s ‘funny’ how that works, right?”
– Travis Lakata, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor, Creator of the Geeky Parent Guide
Defining Geeky Theme of the Year
“In the midst of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, I feel that we witnessed an admirable effort by both creators and fans alike to learn more about the strikes, to be open to listening and learning about what the strikes were happening, and to understand how they could demonstrate solidarity through their actions.”
– Barbra Dillon, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Fanbase Press
“Perhaps perseverance. Whether it’s the constant battles in a galaxy far, far away where good is trying to overcome evil oppressors, or writers and actors trying to find ways to be treated/compensated fairly, it seems like people coming together for a greater good has been symbolic of the fictional and non-fictional worlds.”
– Travis Lakata, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor, Creator of the Geeky Parent Guide
“Be kind. With the movement away from ‘blech-X’ and onto Threads, there was a new angle to being a geek that everyone has been embracing: be kind. And I’m all on board for that.”
– Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor
What Was the Best Representation of #StoriesMatter?
“I’ve been sitting here allowing myself to get distracted, because I want to just pick one, and while Across the Spider-Verse and Loki: Season 2 are equally as wonderful and important in the geeky world and to me, I think I have to go with Loki: Season 2 (only because we have one more Spider-Verse movie coming and we may not get another Loki!) There are so many emotional, philosophical, and intellectual layers in this season, but I think it not being about ‘what,’ ‘where,’ or ‘how,’ but instead about ‘who’– that emphasis alone spoke so loudly and clearly to me, the burden of sacrifice, of giving love without expecting love is a message of hope and survival. It’s one we all need.”
– Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor
“It is hard for me to say anything before thinking of American Born Chinese. There are so many interesting moments that make me feel something for the show’s characters. Jin’s parents have struggled to maintain their relationship through the years, and you can feel that disconnect. Jin can feel it, too, and you see him put on headphones to avoid hearing their arguments. You see his struggles with being bullied or wanting to fit in, even if it means ignoring people mocking him.
Fans also see other characters use hurtful language as ‘just joking around’ or however else it’s brushed aside. It’s important to recognize how this type of thing can be relevant in the real world. Words matter.
Sometimes, one’s memory cannot escape cruel things said or done. And maybe the point isn’t about forgiving people, or learning to forgive, but learning how to move on, because, sometimes, moving on from those who do hurtful things is the only way to make peace in a somewhat broken world.”
– Travis Lakata, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor, Creator of the Geeky Parent Guide
“The general support for both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Stories require storytellers, and few things are more important than protecting the ability to make a living in this business, where those at the top seek to lay claim to so much.”
– Bryant Dillon, Co-Founder and President of Fanbase Press
