Derry hosts first ever comic festival

Leading comic artists and writers will be in in Derry this weekend to attend the first ever Comic City Festival.

The two-day festival, which is being run in partnership with CultureTech, the Millennium Forum and the Nerve Centre, will celebrate comics, illustration and the creative arts.

Entry to the festival is free and it will be held in the Millennium Forum venue tomorrow and Sunday.

It will showcase some of the world's best creative talent, including artists who have worked on the likes of Judge Dredd, X-Men and Batman.

Special guests, exhibitors and dealers will be in attendance throughout the weekend and there will also be a full programme of talks, workshops and activities.

Among those scheduled to attend are artist Declan Shalvey, whose credits include Moon Knight and Deadpoo, Marc Laming, whose had provided art for Planet Hulk and Fantastic Four, and Eisner Award winning Colourist/Artist Jordie Bellaire, who has worked on the likes of Magneto and Hawkeye.

The acclaimed local artist Joe Campbell will also be in attendance.

Comic City will run from 10.00am until 5.30pm tomorrow and from 11.00am until 5.30pm on Sunday.

In addition, comic fans will also have the opportunity to attend Invasion Derry, which will be running alongside Comic City.

The event is being hosted by The Emerald Garrison, Ireland's premier costuming club, who will be bringing their hugely popular Star Wars show to the city for the first time, featuring interactive sets, props, replicas and over 40 costumed characters.