Earlier this year the Peterborough SF Club organised a small poll as to some of it's members' favourite comic-strip characters. A difficult competition, sub-divided into five loose geographical areas relating to the characters creation. Thanks go to Club member John King who co-ordinated the results.

     First, the British Favourites. In third place, the Steel Claw, who deserves to be resurrected for the turn of the century in a cyber-punk version. In second place, Raoul Bojefferies from the Bojefferies Saga. First place goes to Lyssa the Axe, another character currently unpublished, she was from the comic Redfox. Runners up included 'Death's Head, Dennis the Menace, Rorshach, Zirk and The Bogie Man.

     The North American category produced the most nominations. Third place went to Pomru from Dynamo Joe. Second to Hannah Dundee from Xenozoio Tales. The hard fought first place was awarded to Katchoo from Strangers in Paradise, good to see an independent publication proving that they can create interesting characters. The long list of runners up included from the major companies; Hitman, Arseface, John Constantine, Death (Sandman), Lady Shiva and Nightcrawler. From the smaller companies came Arthur (The Tick), Elrod (Cerebus), Kevin Matchstick (Mage), Shadow Lady (Thieves and Kings), Hook (Fish Police), and Lusiphur (Poison Elves).

     The European category, unsurprisingly, had less entries. Major Grubert from The Garage Hermetic of Lewis C came third. Second was Nan-Tay from El Mercenario and first by quite a large margin was Obelix. The runners up included Tin-Tin and Lt. Blueberry.

     The Far Eastern category was helped by significant input from the Peterborough Anime Club (PAniC). Third place was awarded to Sonya from Midnight Panther. Second went to Kaneda from Akira. First place here went to Princess Kushana from Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind. The runners up here included Briarious (Appleseed), Nabiki (Ranma1/2), Madoka (Kimagure Orange Road), Kurotowa (Nausicaa), Urd (Oh my Goddess), and Sakura (Urusei Yatsura).

     The rest of the world section was the least supported section with nominations from two sources, one of these argued about. Third place went to Nightfighter of Southern Squadron. Second place, controversially, went to Bachus. We knew it was drawn by the Scot Eddie Campbell, and had probably been created before he emigrated, but he does now live in Australia and deserved to be mentioned somewhere. First place went to Lieutenant Smith from Southern Squadron.

     It should be stressed that these lists were discussed over a few pints at various meetings of the PSFC and PAniC before the results were reached. No doubt, if we ran this competition again in a couple of years time, with different people taking part, very different lists would come out.