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Ranson left such indelible marks with Shamballa and Buttonman. If there was a tiny niggle, it's that sometimes the characters seem just a little off - something to do with their angle in the world. I'm describing it badly, and anyway it was one of those things where you just automatically forgive them because the overall effect is astounding.

I know exactly what you mean, and you're right - I assume it was a consequence of what I'd imagine was quite a photo-referenced style. (Not a criticism.)

Its MASSIVE and on really thick heavy card.

Ridgway's pages are all like that as far as I can tell - big and stiff. (Fnar fnar.) Great art - there's a school of thought that calls his Sixth Doctor work the highlight of his career. He certainly loved doing it (whilst Parkhouse was writing, in particular.)

[Hicklenton]

No denying Ranson's talent - Button Man is a classic of the first water - but it's the raw, unbridled, chaotic creativity of Hicklenton for me every time.

MacNeil on Dredd isn't as good as MacNeil used to be on Dredd when he was painting it (e.g. Mechanismo, America or even the first couple of series of Insurrection.)

This bit I completely disagree with. MacNeil on Dredd now is the best he's ever been. His style has evolved wonderfully. Interestingly, I also regard Simon Davis's stint on Slaine as a bit of a career high - he's not always someone I've been that into, but Slaine was a good match for him.

However, of the other artists on Colin's original list, two are active turn-offs for me - no denying their talent and creativity, but if I see them on a strip, it's unlikely I'm going to get into it. There are a couple more contemporary 2000AD artists who have that effect on me - none of the 'classics' do.

I am less than 100% in agreement. There are some great artists currently working for 2000AD - I would broadly rate the art over the writing in the prog in general, with the vast majority of artists in the good-to-great-to-Colin-MacNeil-at-the-top category. But best ever? No, that's pushing it.

I didn't really think Jim McCarthy would get through - his solo work is just too divisive - but as half of the art team on the greatest comic ever published I would have liked to see him make it at least a bit further.

One of the most interesting things about this tournament has been the substantial levels of support for the more 'Marmite' artists - I'm thinking particularly of Simon Harrison and John Hicklenton. Even on, say, dedicated Facebook art groups, the work of these chaps has as many detractors as it does fans, but both have done well in the tournament so far.

I'm guessing Tyranny Rex is another dinosaur related volume, but not connected with Flesh.

Nope - she's a somewhat amoral reptilian lady with a tail, who undertakes increasingly bizarre and disturbing adventures. Until she becomes a nun. And then it really gets good.

[Coleby]

Loathe as I am to agree with other human beings, yeah - it's some red-hot Coleby / Gallagher action this round.

I get people being disappointed with the overall plot of Hershey - but did you really not enjoy the craft of the way it was told?

I think few would dispute Simon Fraser's talent or the objective visual appeal of his work - it's just a shame it's been employed on this deeply misguided story. To some extent, it doesn't matter how skilfully something is rendered when you actively detest what it's showing.

[Davis]

All the Ds - Davis and Dobbyn! If The Thirteenth Floor had been a 2000AD strip, Ortiz would have nudged one of those guys out though.

[Lee-ee Caaart-er]

Every time I think about my vote, I keep hearing James Dean Bradfield singing it. Not a pleasant sensation.

Lee-ee Caaart-er

[Glenn Fabry]

I think we all know who's going to storm this round.

Glenn Fabry, of course. Accompanied by Sean Phillips for his sublime turn on Swimming in Blood.

Would love to see Mandalorianesque series about that, with Ewan reprising the role...

Well, he's going to be Middle-Aged Ben, and who knows if they'll manage to fit all you'd like to see into what will apparently be 6 hour-long episodes, but filming starts next year...

[Jim Baikie]

Having used one of his panels as my avatar for the best part of a decade, I will of course vote for the late, great Jim Baikie. The other vote is for Bryan Talbot, who really knew how to draw a bunch of weirdos having a conversation on a beach. Not to mention Anthrax Ghoulshadow, B. A.