Favourite CLASSIC art droid - 3rd Place Play-off - Mike McMahon or Ron Smith

[shaolin_monkey]

Ron Smith

[AlexF]

To answer JBC's question

By the way, whose is the portrait just at Dredd's foot?  Just below the guy giving the finger, which is a great touch too.

based purely on the eyebrows I'm guessing Dan Dare?
(it's a truly random selection of characters - Rogue Trooper, Mongrol, Zenith, one of the Harlem Heroes)

Based on the chin, could this be how McMahon sees Dredd under the helmet?

[maryanddavid]

Mick Mc

[JayzusB.Christ]

To answer JBC's question

By the way, whose is the portrait just at Dredd's foot?  Just below the guy giving the finger, which is a great touch too.

based purely on the eyebrows I'm guessing Dan Dare?
(it's a truly random selection of characters - Rogue Trooper, Mongrol, Zenith, one of the Harlem Heroes)

Based on the chin, could this be how McMahon sees Dredd under the helmet?

Yep, think you're right - Dan Dare did cross my mind when I saw the zigzag eyebrows.  Hadn't even noticed Zenith before you said it!  Amazing stuff.

Which has got me thinking - imagine if McMahon had illustrated Zenith.  One of the best artist and one of the best strips, but they don't go together.  Like putting syrup on steak.

[Colin YNWA]

Almost there now and if you want to vote on this one get that vote in today as I'll count up in the morning and annouce our third placed droid.

[I, Cosh]

 Mick McMahon is the better artist but I probably like Ron Smith more. Or liked. Think I appreciate McMahon's wildness more now than I did then. Hmm. Very difficult choice.
It's...

[milstar]

 Definitely Ron Smith. His style reminds me on Brian Bolland, but has its own flavour. I don't like Mick. Too cartoonish and his earliest Dredd is almost unrecognizable.

[Colin YNWA]

VOTING CLOSED

Well it was close, very close and both artists richly deserve the praise. In the end I do wonder if Mike McMahon's restless way of finding new and innovative way to reinvent his art cost him votes in the end? Or should we just focus on the dynamic angles, precision and character work of the magnificent

Ron Smith

clinched 3rd place. But damn there was some glorious art from both on display here.

[broodblik]

Both of them gave us some great stories over the years. Two great servants of the prog, both their careers must be celebrated by us all.

[sixmo]

Ha, it looks like I dithered too long trying to pick an artist in this one, or I voted and I've forgotten!

I think I would have picked Mick in the end, but these two have really defined our early 2000AD experience and it's fitting that Ron is up there near the top of the pile for all his amazing character work.

[Rogue Judge]

I voted Mick, but could have gone either way, still happy to see Ron pickup 3rd.