FANTASY fans are getting their costumes ready as the Glasgow Comic Con prepares for its return.

From July 3 to 8, venues across the city will play host to comic book creators, artists, writers and a range of celebrities from the industry.

And this year the event has the support of Homecoming Scotland, to try and draw visitors from overseas.

Mark Boyle, marketing and operations director for Glasgow Comic Con, said: "Being part of Homecoming Scotland has helped our event continue to grow for our fourth year and expand from a one-day event with 500 attendees, to a five-day festival with 3500 attendees across four venues.

"Our guest line-up this year is bringing a number of creators to Scotland for the very first time."

This year will see the main event, on July 4 and 5, expand into three venues; the CCA, Glasgow School of Art and the Renfield Centre.

The wider festival will include events at Sauchiehall Street's Cocktail & Burger bar and the Intermedia Gallery at CCA: Glasgow.

There will be familiar faces from previous events, plus a host of creators on their first visit to Scotland.

Famous names include comic book writers and artists Howard Chaykin, Gail Simone, Peter Milligan and Erik Larsen.

As well as talks, panels and signing events, some of the UK's leading independent comic book publishers will be on hand.

Glasgow Comic Con is the top comic book event in Scotland and one of the top five in the UK.

Caroline Packman, Homecoming Scotland Director, said: "We are delighted to have Comic Con as part of the ever-expanding Homecoming programme.

"It presents something a little different for the event programme and ties in perfectly with our celebrating creativity theme."

For more information, see www.glasgowcomiccon.com

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk