Bazilla... for future reference. In my experience, the best policy in a Comic Cup is to keep quiet when people are on voting your comic. When people are voting on mine, I try not to say a thing (at least not anything related to the contest) until a winner is declared. Otherwise, I run the risk of saying something that will sway someone's vote against me.
I get the impression that is what happened with skagg's vote (though maybe I'm wrong). Skagg was on the fence and then you said something about wirthling, and then skagg voted for wirthling. Then a whole bunch of wirthling votes came in. Maybe there is no relationship between the two, but I know that commenting on your opponent, why you are getting votes, or implying that you might get votes because of regional allegiances can only hurt you.
Most of the regulars around here will vote based only on the comic, I think. My impressions is that they have always given props to those who do good strips (e.g., habnem, the "power newbie"). But if someone is undecided, you don't want to give him/her/it a reason to vote against you.
Sorry, I sound like I'm lecturing here... I'm just trying to give you some friendly advice. You are honestly anxious about the outcome. I was, too in my first Cup.
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...Trot and Cap'n Bill were free from anxiety and care. Button-Bright never worried about anything. The Scarecrow, not being able to sleep, looked out of the window and tried to count the stars.
