Simon - Roussin Picture: Nobrow

Comic book heroes Spiderman and Batman are set to dominate at cinemas this summer, so it is fitting that the first East London Comics and Arts festival (ELCAF) is just around the corner.

Riika - Sormunen Picture: Nobrow

In Shoreditch on June 17, the festival will feature works from celebrated international artists representing Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro, as well as homegrown graphic artists whose illustrations appear daily in our newspapers, magazines, book covers and websites.

Sam Arthur, co-founder of Nobrow Press and ELCAF, said “comics artists want to tell beautiful, passionate, important stories that make other people cry, laugh and fall in love.

“ELCAF will spread the word that comics are a great way to support and collect inspired creative work from artists and illustrators whose pictures many people probably enjoy every day in the media without realising it.”

Many newspapers have comic strips in their papers to entertain the readers and some will feature at the festival.

Alex Spiro, another co-founder of Nobrow Press and ELCAF, said: “We were inspired to start ELCAF because we wanted more people in the UK to recognise what great talent we have here.

“The US and European comics scenes are firmly entrenched in their respective cultures (in France it is dubbed the 9th Art) and it’s time for us to do a bit of catching up.

“The craftsmanship and artistry in the best graphic novels are on a par with the greatest art in museums and galleries worldwide – ELCAF will help these brilliant creators reach the audiences they deserve.”

The festival is open from 10am-6pm at the Village Underground, which is free to enter.

There is also a ticketed gig from 8pm until late featuring Shoreditch bands; The Dead Pirates and Vu Vu Vultures.