A comparative review system for displaying views associated with studies on first and second display areas according to a screen layout, a study view mode, and a hanging protocol. The screen layout is used to determine the number of display slots to display in the first and second display areas. This determination along with the study view mode is then used to determine whether to display a study in corresponding display slots associated with the first and second display areas. The number of display slots displayed, whether studies are displayed in corresponding display slots across displays, and the hanging protocol are used to determine which views to display within display slots. Each screen layout, study view mode and hanging protocol is associated with a comparative review mode, which in turn are combined into a comparative review sequence. The comparative review sequence allows for display and navigation through the various modes.