Tharg’s 2020 in Review - Best Short Story

[broodblik]

It is now time to cast your vote for your favourite short story that were either published in the prog, megazine or any of the glorious specials during 2020. 

So, ground rules relating to which short stories are applicable or not:
-   No Dredd short story is allowed since we will have a time to vote for our favourite lawman
-   Only original stories are allowed no reprints


The below words were stolen from Colin so take it up with him if you do not like these or would prefer some other ones used.

Format is easy. Simply look at the list in the next post - and post your top three in a reply to this thread - just make sure to clearly indicate your order using the format below - with the points awarded for each placing:

(1st, foremost and best) = 5 points
(2nd runner up) = 3 points
(Bronze who cares really) = 1 point

If you don't make it clear I'll award all your mentioned votes 3 points each.

The vote will run for a week(ish) and I'll announce the winner early Sunday 3rd January... hopefully...

If you have any questions just ask and I'll wing it as normal...

[broodblik]

Here is a list of all the qualifying short stories:

The title, the writer, the artist, the colourist, the letterer and last the publication and number


1). Abelard Snazz - The Only Way is Up(Paul Cornell) (Anna Readman) (Pippa Bowland) (Jim Campbell) 2000 AD - 2206
2). Anderson - Early Warning(Cavan Scott) (Paul Davidon) (Len O'Grady) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2206
3). Anderson - First Class Citizen(Cavan Scott) (Paul Davidon) (Len O'Grady) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2183
4). Anderson - No Country for Old PSIs(Maura McHugh) (Steve Austin) (Barbara Nosenzo) (Simon Bowland) Meg - 424
5). Black Beth - The Witch Tree(Alec Worley) (DaNi) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) Misty & Scream Special - 2020
6). Boarding School - Boarding School(Rachael Smith) (Yishan Li) (Pippa Bowland) (Jim Campbell) Tammy & Jinty Special - 2020
7). Bravo Black Lion - Bravo Black Lion(Alex de Campi) (Glen Fabry) (Karen Holloway) (Jim Campbell) Battle (off Britian) Special - 2020
8). Bumps in the Night - Bumps in the Night(Olivia Hicks) (John Lucas) (Gary Caldwell) (Oz) Misty & Scream Special - 2020
9). Cat Girl Returns - Cat Girl Returns(Ramzee) (Elkys Nova) (Pippa Bowland) (Simon Bowland) Tammy & Jinty Special - 2020
10). Cursitor Doom/Jason Hyde - Occult Investigators Unite(Maura McHugh) (Adreas Butzbach) (N/A) (A. Cult) Smash Special - 2020
11). Deadworld - A Girl's Gotta Eat(Kek-W) (Dave Kendell) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2212
12). Deadworld - Last Man Standing(Kek-W) (Dave Kendell) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2210
13). Deadworld - The Good Samaritan(Kek-W) (Dave Kendell) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2211
14). Department K - Department K(Rory McConville) (PJ Holden) (Len O'Grady) (Jim Campbell) 2000 AD - 2196
15). Destoyer - Destoyer(Rob Williams) (PJ Holden) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) Battle (off Britian) Special - 2020
16). Devlin Waugh - The Wolves of St Vitus(Ales Kot) (Patrick Goddard) (Pippa Bowland) (Annie Parkhouse) Meg - 422
17). Devlin Waugh - When I was a Young Demon (I did a Bad, Bad Thing)(Ales Kot) (Patrick Goddard) (Pippa Bowland) (Annie Parkhouse) Meg - 423
18). Dredger - Dredger(Zina Hutton) (Staz Johnson) (John Charles) (Agent PC) Action Special - 2020
19). El Mestizo - El Mestizo(Alan Hebden) (Brent McKee) (Gary Caldwell) (Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou) Battle (off Britian) Special - 2020
20). Finder & Keeper - Dead Signal(Leal Moore/John Reppion) (Davide Tinto) (Jim Boswell) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2170
21). Finder & Keeper - Nuisance Neighbours(John Reppion) (Davide Tinto) (Jim Boswell) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2183
22). Finder & Keeper - The Curse of Kreepindeth(John Reppion) (Davide Tinto) (Jim Boswell) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2196
23). Future Shocks - A.I Love You(Liam Johnson) (Robin Henley) (N/A) (Jim Campbell) 2000 AD - 2182
24). Future Shocks - Boss Level(Karl Stock) (Tom Newell) (John Charles) (Annie Parkhouse) 2000 AD - 2196
25). Future Shocks - For the Man Who Lives Everywhen(Karl Stock) (Tom Newell) (John Charles) (Annie Parkhouse) 2000 AD - 2206
26). Future Shocks - Indistinguisable From..(Joseph Elliot-Coleman) (Richard Elson) (N/A) (Jim Campbell) 2000 AD - 2211
27). Future Shocks - Journey to the Edge of the Earth(Chris Burnham) (Chris Burnham) (Len O'Grady) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2184
28). Future Shocks - Living your Best Life(Karl Stock) (Luke Horsman) (John Charles) (Annie Parkhouse) 2000 AD - 2170
29). Future Shocks - Omnidetectorist(Rory McConville) (Joel Carpenter) (N/A) (Annie Parkhouse) 2000 AD - 2200
30). Future Shocks - Scavengers(Rory McConville) (Andrea Mutti) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2181
31). Future Shocks - Stream M for Murder(Liam Johnson) (Steve Yeowell) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2197
32). Future Shocks - The Queen of Mean(Laura Bailey) (Andrea Mutti) (Barbara Nosenzo) (Annie Parkhouse) 2000 AD - 2183
33). Gustav of the Bear Macht - Gustav of the Bear Macht(Kek-W) (Staz Johnson) (Barbara Nosenzo) (Simon Bowland) Battle (off Britian) Special - 2020
34). Hell Machine - Hell Machine(Henry Flint) (Henry Flint/Jake Lynch) (Jim Boswell) (Simon Bowland) Action Special - 2020
35). Hellman - At the Twilight of the Reich(Garth Ennis) (Mike Dorey) (N/A) (Rob Steen) Action Special - 2020
36). Home for Christmas - Home for Christmas(Lizzie Boyle) (David Roach) (Dylan Teague) (Simon Bowland) Misty Winter Special - 2020
37). Hook Jaw vs Shako - Hook Jaw vs Shako(Quint Amity) (Dan Lish) (N/A) (N/A) Action Special - 2020
38). Infection - Infection(VV Glass/Anna Savory) (VV Glass) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) Misty Winter Special - 2020
39). Johnny Future - Only the Missing Link can Save US(Anita Break) (Tom Raney) (Gary Caldwell) (SG) Smash Special - 2020
40). Kids Rule OK - Kids Rule OK(Ram V) (Henrik Sahlstorm) (N/A) (Petitecreme) Action Special - 2020
41). Kingdom - Shako's Kingdom(Dan Abnett) (Richard Elson) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special - 2020
42). Lawless - Badrock Melody(Dan Abnett) (Phil Winslade) (N/A) (Jim Campbell) Meg - 424
43). Lofty and the Eagle - Lofty and the Eagle(Peter Briggs) (Eoin Marron) (Jason Wordie) (Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou) Battle (off Britian) Special - 2020
44). Mytek the Mighty - The Lost Mechanical Marvel is Rediscovered(Suyi Davies Okungbowa) (Anand Radhakrishnan) (Deeganto Joarder) (SG) Smash Special - 2020
45). Pandora Perfect - She's Practically Poison in Every Way(Roger Langridge) (Brett Parson) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2196
46). Rat Pack - The Tough Way Out(Garth Ennis) (Keith Burns) (Jason Wordie) (Rob Steen) Battle (off Britian) Special - 2020
47). Return of Black Max - Flying Solo(Kek-W) (Simon Coleby) (Len O'Grady) (Jim Campbell) Misty & Scream Special - 2020
48). Rogue Trooper - Savage Swamp(Cavan Scott) (Nick Roche) (Abigail Bulmer) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2170
49). Roy of the Rovers - Euro Adventure(Rob Williams) (Elkys Nova) (John Charles) (Jim Campbell) Roy of the Rovers Summer Special - 2020
50). Roy of the Rovers - Old School(Rob Williams) (David Sque) (N/A) (Jim Campbell) Roy of the Rovers Summer Special - 2020
51). Sexton Blake - The Death and Life of Sexton Blake(George Mann) (Jimmy Broxton) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) Sexton Blake Special - 2020
52). Sniper Elite - Viper(Karl Stock) (Simon Coleby) (Len O'Grady) (Jim Campbell) Battle (off Britian) Special - 2020
53). Storm Warning - Black Storm(John Reppion) (Clint Langley) (N/A) (Jim Campbell) 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special - 2020
54). Strontium Dog - Acceptable Losses(Michael Carroll) (Nick Brokenshire) (John Charles) (Jim Campbell) 2000 AD - 2183
55). Strontium Dog - Once Upon a Time in der Vest(Rob Williams) (Laurence Campbell) (Dylan Teague) (Jim Campbell) 2000 AD - 2212
56). Survival Geeks - A Quiet Night In(Gordon Rennie/Emma Beeby) (Neil Googe) (Gary Caldwell) (Jim Campbell) 2000 AD - 2212
57). Tales from the Black Museum - The Cackle(Alec Worley) (Leigh Gallagher) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) Meg - 422
58). Tales from the Black Museum - The Obsidian Ingress(David Baillie) (Anna Morozova) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) Meg - 423
59). Terror Tales - Quillivision(Laura Bailey) (David Hitchcock) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2195
60). The Aegis - The Aegis(Kristyna Baczynski) (Mary Safro) (N/A) (Mary Safro) Misty & Scream Special - 2020
61). The Dracula File - The Dracula File(Cavan Scott) (Vincenzo Riccardi) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) Misty & Scream Special - 2020
62). The Face of the Enemy - The Face of the Enemy(Alan Grant) (Davide Fabbri) (Domenico Neziti) (Oz) Battle (off Britian) Special - 2020
63). The Gronk - The Trouble with Gronkses(David Baillie) (Rob Davis) (N/A) (Jim Campbell) 2000 AD - 2170
64). The House of Dolman - Puppet Protectors Save the Day(Simon Furman) (Chris Weston) (N/A) (Jim Campbell) Smash Special - 2020
65). The Order - Inbetween Days(Kek-W) (John Burns) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2182
66). The Red Seas - vs Ant Wars(Ian Edginton) (Steve Yeowell) (N/A) (Jim Campbell) 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special - 2020
67). The Scourge of the Skies - The Scourge of the Skies(Karl Stock) (Pattrick Goddard) (John Charles) (Oz) Battle (off Britian) Special - 2020
68). The Spider - The Return of the World's Greatest Super Villian(Rob Williams) (John McCrea) (Mike Spicer) (Simon Bowland) Smash Special - 2020
69). The Steel Claw - The Vanishing Man Fights Unseen Forces(Charlie Higson) (Charlie Adlard) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) Smash Special - 2020
70). The Vigilant - Rapture(Simon Furman) (Simon Coleby) (Len O'Grady) (Simon Bowland) Meg - 421
71). Thief of Senses - Thief of Senses(Maura McHugh) (Robin Henley) (N/A) (Annie Parkhouse) Misty & Scream Special - 2020
72). Thunderbolt the Avenger - As One Hero Falls another is Born(Helen O'Hara) (Valentina Piniti) (Jim Boswell) (Ozvaldo Sanchez) Smash Special - 2020
73). Time Twisters - Time Hygiene(TC Eglington) (Warren Pleece) (N/A) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2212
74). Venus Bluegenes - Threat Level Zero(Liam Johnson) (Aneke) (Barbara Nosenzo) (Simon Bowland) 2000 AD - 2206
75). Warchild - Warchild(Dan Abnett) (Jimmy Broxton) (N/A) (Annie Parkhouse) Battle (off Britian) Special - 2020

[SmallBlueThing(Reborn)]

1st Boarding School
2nd Badrock Melody
3rd Shako's Kingdom

I could go into why, and why those particular placings- but safe to say those are the three strips I've been thinking about since I read them, and all for very different reasons.

What a year!

SBT

[abelardsnazz]

1. Lawless - Badrock Melody. I didn't get it until I listened along, and then it just clicked. Brilliant.
2. Deadworld - A Girl's Gotta Eat. Atmospheric as ever.
3. Infection. Makes the most of its extended running time, building to a memorable conclusion.

[Colin YNWA]

I think this is the toughest of all the votes so far. What this has brought home is how many fantastic one offs there's been. Largely due to all the wonderful specials and Regenes this year, but also there was so many great one's in the Prog as well. Wow we have been treated. That said decide we must so...

1. Badrock Melody - If you've going to put it in I can't ignore it for top spot. I listened to it again the other day and it is just a work of utter genius

2. Hellmachine - Flint genius at his very grimest best

3. Pandora Perfect - The perfect Regene story MORE PLEASE - A lot more.

There are so many others I could mention but I'll just HM two from the end of year Prog. 'Time Twister - Time Hygiene' so smart and fun and 'Survival Geeks - A Quiet Night In' a surprisingly warm, tender and fitting epilogue to this series.

[AlexF]

1. Hell Machine
2. Boarding School
3. Survival Geeks: Quiet Night in

[broodblik]

1. The Vigilant - Rapture
2. Pandora Perfect - She's Practically Poison in Every Way
3. Deadworld - Last Man Standing

[broodblik]

You have the weekend to make-up your mind, so their is still time to vote

[sintec]

• Lawless - Badrock Melody
• Deadworld - Last Man Standing
• Kingdom - Shako's Kingdom

The top spot was easy but the other two were much harder. Last Man Standing was such a chilling tale with terrifying art that I think it'll stay with me for a while. And Shako's Kingdom was a cracking crossover - a simple self contained tale executed perfectly.

[broodblik]

I will give everyone until Tuesday morning time for this one.

[I, Cosh]

01. Future Shocks: Journey to the Edge of the Earth. Not a shock but it definitely made me laugh and I really like Burnham's art.
02. Time Twisters: Time Hygiene. I don't agree with including a Prog with a 2021 cover date in this list but what are you gonna do? This was a great lauch that played with the conventions of the strips themselves and their history.
03. Shako's Kingdom. A great synthesis.

[broodblik]

Last change to vote polls are closing tomorrow morning

[broodblik]

Closed for voting