Sussex is to host the first launch of a national comic book company in 20 years.

AK Comics - whose comic series Middle East Heroes outsells X-Men and Spiderman - is celebrating the UK release of the series at Dave's Comics in Sydney Street, Brighton.

Dez Skinner, former editor of Marvel UK and current editor of leading trade magazine Comics International, will be the guest of honour.

The first four issues in the series, each of which centres around a different Middle Eastern hero, have been sold on a test basis in Brighton and London for three months. As of Friday, the series goes nationwide.

Andrew Stephenson, the UK managing editor of AK Comics, said: "At a time of difficulty for us following the London bombings, Middle East Heroes provide a positive non-sectarian model for children in the Middle East and the UK based on principles of tolerance, mutual respect and co-operation."

In recent years Brighton has become the centre of the comic book industry in the UK.

Comics International, which has become a bible for comic fans, is edited from Mr Skinner's home in Ditchling Road.

In November a fan convention and the first UK industry convention will take place at the Brighton Centre.