Shortlist Judges

School Librarian at Parkwood Academy, Sheffield and Excelsior Awards Founder/Organiser

Favourite ever graphic novel: "V for Vendetta" by Alan Moore and David Lloyd

Favourite comics character: Captain America

Best graphic novel/manga/comic read so far this year: "Spy Island" by Chelsea Cain and Elise McCall

Librarian at Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria and board member of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival

Favourite ever graphic novel: "Fatale" by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips

Favourite comics character: Rogue, or Gambit… no, Rogue... no, Gambit… damn it!

Best graphic novel/manga/comic read so far this year: "Pulp" by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips

Robin and Lawrence ("Lorenzo") Etherington are British comics creators who work together as The Etherington Brothers, Robin writing and Lorenzo illustrating.

Favourite ever graphic novel: "Asterix the Legionary" by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzos

Favourite comics character: Usagi Yojimbo

Best graphic novel/manga/comic read so far this year: "Coda" by Simon Spurrier and Matias Bergara

Owner and Manager of Sheffield Space Centre

Favourite ever graphic novel: "A Contract with God" by Will Eisner

Favourite comics character: Alf Tupper

Best graphic novel/manga/comic read so far this year: "Saga" by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Children’s Librarian and Comics Specialist at Peters Books & Furniture

Favourite ever graphic novel: "Batman: The Long Halloween" by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale

Favourite comics character: Judge Dredd

Best graphic novel/manga/comic read so far this year: "Slaughter-House Five" by Kurt Vonnegut, Ryan North and Albert Monteys

Director of Seven Hills Crafts and Comics Expert

Favourite ever graphic novel: "Watchmen" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

Favourite comics character: Kevin Matchstick

Best graphic novel/manga/comic read so far this year: "Black Hammer, Volume 1" by Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston

Learning Resource Manager at Kings Langley School

Favourite ever graphic novel: "The Sandman, Volume 10: The Wake" by Neil Gaiman and Michael Zulli

Favourite comics character: Squirrel Girl

Best graphic novel/manga/comic read so far this year: "Solutions and Other Problems" by Allie Brosh

Daughter of Excelsior Award Founder and Comics Enthusiast

Favourite ever graphic novel: "The Simpsons/Futurama: Crossover Crisis" by Matt Groening et al

Favourite comics character: Pogo (from "Ruinworld")

Best graphic novel/manga/comic read so far this year: "Hilda and The Mountain King" by Luke Pearson