When people first read Shakara did it feel as frustrating to them, as much of Diggle era stuff has to me? Did it leave you with more questions than answers? Did it seem like a missed opportunity too rushed to really have any substance or fulfil its potential?

Yep, I've always been a champion for Shakara. In many ways I think series one was the best of all - I liked the way there was no real plot to speak of - it was all about the weird aliens and the old-school energy of it.

I always think of it as a series of very superior Future Shocks vaguely linked by Shakara itself and the Flint lunacy. These twin elements are probably where the Nemesis comparisons come from as it's very similar in conception to the Comic Rock stuff.

The one about the little beasties that live on one of the dead guys from the previous episode is just brilliant.

I think there's always room in 2000AD for a plot-light but visually stunning strip, as long as the title's not full of them!