Cape/Comica/Observer Graphic Short Story contest – round-up

This Sunday, the winner of the 10th annual Cape/Comica/Observer graphic short story contest will be announced — the (extra long – I’m sure it’s only been 6 previously?) shortlist can be seen on Paul Gravett’s Facebook page or in Orbital Comics in London, and is as follows:

(Edited to add)
The winner: If You’re So Wise, How Come You’re Dead? by Tor Freeman

Runner-up: Dennis and June by EmilyBob

Shortlist:

4.42AM by Peter Cline
Greedy Guts by Tom Eaton
Haunted by Andi Comics Watson
I Think Collin has Dementia – Who is this by? It’s a mystery apparently!
Madame and Me by James Albon
Mister-e Car Wash by Oliver Elliott
My Father in Berlin by Astrid and Jonathan Goldsmith
On a Friday by Panosbaros
Plop by Stref
Prim by Andy Hixon
Sea Change by Ginny Shinnel
The Slug Finger by Lily Shaul
Start Up by Peter Duggan
The Three Ravens by Alé Mercado
Tom and Gerry by Jessica Barrah
Varicose Veins by Jessika Green

My first thought? That there are more professional and previously-published comic artists that previously. Also — why do artists never update their blogs? Only one of the above has actually mentioned being on the shortlist as far as I can see.

(Edited to add: I’ve now heard from two of the shortlisted artists that they didn’t know they were on the shortlist – and in one case, only found out when it was too late to see their work on display).

The non-shortlisted entrants

I like to recognise the not insubstantial amount of work and hope that has gone into every entry, even those that didn’t dent the shortlist. In previous years, this exercise has brought to light a wonderful, long list of diverse and highly readable strips that might never otherwise have been evident to many readers. It’s also brought invitations to artists for at least one (that I know of) collaborative comic.

Here are the entries I know about so far. I’ll add more as I find them — and if you would like me to add yours to the list, please send me the link.