Superheroes and comic book characters will swoop into Charlotte Square in August as the Edinburgh International Book Festival celebrates comics, graphic novels and the people who create them in a new strand.
Neil Gaiman, Grant Morrison, Kieron Gillen and Posy Simmonds are among the authors and artists taking part in Stripped, which will feature more than 40 events celebrating the growth of comics and graphic novels as a literary form.
Events will explore the rich heritage of comics alongside the contemporary renaissance of graphic novels, taking in some of Scotland's many international success stories along the way.
Talks, translations, drawing and reading workshops will run alongside the inaugural 9th Art Award for the world's finest English language graphic novel, an exhibition of comic art and a Mini Comic Fair, which showcases work from independent comic creators in Scotland.
The festival has also commissioned a new graphic novel, edited by Glasgow author Denise Mina, who will discuss her graphic treatment of Stieg Larsson's Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Nick Barley, director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said "The Book Festival has long championed graphic novels and we have taken this opportunity to bring together some of the world's foremost graphic writers and illustrators. Stripped gives this wonderful literary artform the recognition it so justly deserves and is an exciting element of our programme in this, our 30th year."
The Stripped strand is supported by Scottish Government funds.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said: "Stripped celebrates Scotland's excellent reputation for publishing and our rich literary history, encouraging visitors from Scotland and around the world to experience the work of an array of graphic novelists and illustrators, including several of Scotland's own exceptionally talented artists.
"It is the Scottish Government's job to create and nurture the conditions in which artists can develop and where culture can thrive, and to encourage our people to access, participate in and learn a love of the arts. Supporting Stripped through the Expo Fund will help us to achieve exactly that."
The Edinburgh International Book Festival runs from Saturday 10 August to Monday 26 August in Charlotte Square Gardens, Edinburgh. Stripped events are focused over the final weekend. Tickets go on sale on Friday 28 June.
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