The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced its first major British guest for the 2016 Festival weekend is Mick McMahon, who, while perhaps best known for his work for the top weekly SF comic 2000AD, also drew The Last American and Batman Black and White.

Mick McMahon, whose highly-regarded work has influenced many comic artists, became a regular contributor to 2000AD starting with Prog Two in 1977. He drew several characters for the comic, most notably Judge Dredd (including his first published appearance), Slaine and the ABC Warriors.

“And Superbean, of course,” he notes, wryly.

A page from Judge Dredd’s first published appearance in 2000AD Prog 2 in 1977, drawn by Mick McMahon

The opening spread of the “banned” Judge Dredd episode from 2000AD Prog 72.

Mick’s cover for the Com.X collection of The Last American

One of Mick McMahon’s favourite pages from The Last American (#3), written by John Wagner and Alan Grant

A panel from “Decap Attack” for Sonic the Comic Issue 97. Script by Nigel Kitching and Richard Piers Rayner, art by Mick McMahon

One of Mick McMahon’s covers for Sonic the Comic

Pencils for one of the characters in Kestrels, written by Ben Dickson

2000AD will be publishing some of his previously uncollected “Judge Dredd” strips as part of their Judge Dredd: The Cursed Earth Uncensored title in July (see news story).

Down the years, Mick has also dabbled in designing for films and video games, and for a few years he had what he calls several ‘proper’ jobs, working in game studios.

“I’ve been to Cumbria a couple of times a year for quite a while now, and I am looking forward to being up there and having someone else telling me where to go and what to do when I get there,” he says, “although I’m sure I’ll manage the bar bit without any guidance…”

Commenting on the announcement, Festival Director Julie Tait said: “We’re thrilled Mick is joining us in October 2016. His work is hugely popular with both artists and fans, and he’s been a major influence on many creators – some past and future guests of the Festival. We’re looking forward to making Mick welcome in Kendal.”

The fourth Lakes International Comic Art Festival will run from 14-16 October 2016 in Kendal, Cumbria, celebrating great comic art from across the world. It is the only one of its kind in the UK taking over the whole town of Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District, for a weekend.

The festival features comic artists from around the world, including Joe Kelly and Benoit Peeters, Britain’s first Visiting Professor in Graphic Fiction and Comic Art, as well as performance, film, exhibitions, comic trails, workshops, master classes, live drawing and independent retailers and publishers.

The events programme is bursting with opportunities to get up close and personal with some of the leading comic artists and writers from across the world – see them draw, talk about their work and bring comics to life. A free family zone provides drop-in activities for all ages, alongside a series of fantastic workshops for kids and teenagers.

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival brings the town together for a weekend to celebrate the amazing world of comic art.

• Lakes International Comic Art Festival: www.comicartfestival.com | Find the Lakes International Comic Art Festival on Facebook | Follow the Lakes International Comic Art Festival on Twitter @comicartfest

• Mick McMahon: Comics Checklist on ComicBookDB

• Mick McMahon: Sonic the Comic Credits

All art featured above © respective creators or publishers. Thanks to Richard Sheaf for the Sonic the Comic cover featured and Lew Stringer for extra information

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: 2000AD, British Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, US Comics

Tags: Ben Dickson, Benoît Peeters, DC Comics, downthetubes News, Humour Comics, Joe Kelly, Kestrels, Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Mick McMahon, SF Comics, Sonic the Comic, Superhero Comics, The Last American