Controls are definitely the way to go if you want to have absolutely any kind of interactive interface. Just remember that controls steal input and therefor if you're creating something like a HUD you have to remember to give focus back to GraalControl and various other things so you don't constantly end up with the whole "I press up but I don't move until I click the screen" situation.
http://forums.graalonline.com/forums...96&postcount=9
Also controls are always on their own higher layer and can never be drawn below showimg() content.