NORTHERN Ireland has a growing reputation as a centre for the creative industries - and now even the comic book industry is providing opportunities for local artists.
Writers and artists from the sector will showcase their work in Derry this weekend at the first ComicCity Festival, and will be on hand to advise young people aspiring to enter the business.
Among them, Belfast man Ryan Brown who turned a childhood passion for comics into a living.
The 39-year-old turned professional in 2011 after years of squeezing in part-time work while juggling time with commitments at the family martial arts shop.
Specialising in cover art, Mr Brown has worked on some of the best known comic series in the world today and is a regular for 2000AD.
Past collaborations include with artists such as celebrated illustrators Simon Bisley and Glenn Fabry.
However, Mr Brown admits it is a difficult industry to break into.
"You are competing against thousands of people, guys in China, across the world.
"With the internet anybody can send their work in and the big companies are inundated.
"Emails are dead now, they just get ignored and a lot is done face to face.
"It is difficult for newer artists because they are not known.
"A lot of companies will just use the same people because they know what to expect, and they know how reliable people are.
"With comic books, they are always working to deadlines so headlines are important."
Mr Ryan will be delivering a talk later today at the festival and will take part tomorrow in a panel discussion around 2000 AD.
The ComicCity Festival takes place today and tomorrow at the Millenium Forum in Derry.
A host of special guests, exhibitors and dealers will be in attendance throughout the weekend and there will also be a full programme of talks and workshops.
It is part of the CultureTech Festival which takes place in the city over the next week.
The events are expected to attract 40,000 people over nine days.
Now in its fourth year, CultureTech is the largest creative industries and technology event in the north.
Highlights include Star Wars fan event Invasion Derry taking place today and tomorrow; DojoCon the annual global conference for the CoderDojo community on September 18-19.
Three days of Minecraft gaming will also take place from September 18-20 at the Millennium Forum.
