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: "That Texas Blood" by Chris Condon and Jacob 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: "Dog Man: Mothering Heights" by Dav Pilkey

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: "The Most Important Comic Book on Earth: Stories to Save the World" by Various

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