MACC-POW! announces first guests for June

By John Freeman on March 23, 2019

This year’s line-up for MACC-POW!, a one day celebration of comics and comic art, in the heart of Macclesfield, Cheshire in June, has just been announced. Observer comics prize winner Tor Freeman, Jacob Phillips and Lew Stringer return, joined this year by Comics Laureate Hannah Berry, New Zealand cartoonist Roger Langridge and Rachael Smith.

A truly unique event for the town, MACC-POW! brings together both local and international creators in a leap and one single bound.

“Get up close and personal to some of comics’ legendary old pros and bright stars of the future, as we celebrate the medium of cartooning, comics and cartoon art!” enthuses organiser Marc Jackson, who’s also publisher of the digital anthology GOOF!

Now in its fourth year, MACC-POW! is now a Macclesfield Town council supported event, “Making it our best one yet,” says Marc, “as we embrace more creators and their wonderful work!”

Art appreciation by Tor Freeman

Creators and guests confirmed so far this year are Combat Colin creator and UK comics legend Lew Stringer returning for his fourth year, Wired up Wrong and Flimsy Kitten creator, the wonderful Rachael Smith, newly crowned UK Comics Laureate Hannah Berry, Popeye and The Muppet Show cartoonist Roger Langridge, Psycho Gran creator and Titan Comics editor David Leach, Observer comics prize winner Tor Freeman, Buxton-based cartoonist and beard wearer Mr Hope, and comic artist, colourist supreme Jacob Phillips.

Popeyes goes Sin City thanks to Roger Langridge

The event takes over the entire first floor of Macclesfield Town Hall, with more than forty creators rubbing shoulders in the Assembly rooms, whilst across the hall in the Cartoon-a-room, you’ll be able to enjoy live panel discussions and interviews with some guests, including a talk from London’s Cartoon Museum.

There will also be a cartoonist challenge where you can watch amazing creations coming to life before your very eyes, with a very unique twist to how they are created.

This year MACC-POW! is bursting out of the Town Hall in a leap and single bound, as from 9.30 – 12 noon, comic artist ILYA with be in residence in the Library in the comic book corner next to the main desk. He’ll be drawing for (and with) anyone who visits during the morning, during his ‘Just ask ILYA!’ drop-in workshop.

“There will be something for everyone as you discover the diversity in the medium,” says Marc, “and get chance to talk to your favourite creators, or discover something and somebody new on the day!

“Commission a sketch, pick up a signed copy of your favourite creators finest work, discover a new creator for the very first time, pick up that missing comic from your collection and marvel in the splendour that are comics and comic art throughout the day!”

• For full details of the event visit maccpow.co.uk

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.