Birmingham's comic fans will be able to celebrate the start of a new chapter as a home-grown festival is launched.
From Batman to the Beano, the full range of comic publications will be covered by artists, writers, publishers and dealers at the one-day Birmingham Comics Festival at Edgabaston Cricket Ground next year.
A previous event run by different organisers - the Birmingham International Comic Show which ran from 2007 to 2011 - attracted thousands of fans and high profile guests like Jonathan Ross and Watchman artist Dave Gibbons as well as leading artists and publishers from across the Atlantic.
It was also a show where small independent publishers and the best Birmingham-based talent were able to showcase their creations and get noticed.
Taking place on April 18, the new festival will include screenings, exhibitions, workshops and signings. There may also be several smaller events around the main festival.
A festival spokesman said: "We should be making our first guest announcements very soon and we can promise some big surprises.
"As befits the tone of the festival, the creators will represent a wide range of comic talent from a wide, and perhaps unexpected, range of publishers."
As well as home-grown creators contributing to popular stories for British titles like 2000AD and The Beano, there are many, including some in Birmingham and West Midlands, also working on major stories for the likes of Batman, Spider-Man and Doctor Who.
The spokesman added: "The modern British comics industry is thriving. It is being driven by some talented independent creators and exciting smaller publishers and we are looking to attract a number of them to exhibit at the festival as we want to showcase their work."
Tickets for The Birmingham Comics Festival will go on sale shortly and details will appear on the official website www.thecomicfestival.com
