Comic Madness at Macc-Pow in Macclesfield! – Lakes Festival Podcast reveals all…

By John Freeman on July 2, 2019

This week’s Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast leads with a report from the fourth Macc-Pow comic con, held in Macclesfield on Saturday 22nd June 2019, organised by regular Festival guest, writer, artist and publisher Marc Jackson.

The event attracted record crowds and podcast hosts Ian Loxam and Nikki Bates – making their second trip to the annual event – had a wonderful time behind their table.

Artist and Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast co-host Nikki Bates at Macc-Pow 4 last month. Photo: Ian Loxam

Find out more about their thoughts on the event, plus on the spot interviews with comics writer and Awesome Comics Podcast co-host Tony Esmond and artist Rachael Smith – as well as a recording of one of the panels from the event, titled “Self Publishing with Sultana”, hosted by Convention Collective‘s Leonard Sultana, who chatted to writer, artist and Titan Comics editor David Leach, Comics Laureate Hannah Berry and Rachael Smith about both self publishing and the current comic scene.

Pete Taylor also chats to both Rachael Leigh Carter and another ACP co-host and comics creator, Vince Hunt, about the upcoming Bam Comic and Zine Fair in Bath on 13th July, while Mike Williams completes his three-part look at D&D and comics.

Tom Stewart reviews Sararara by Olivia Hicks and Ian and Nikki review Kingdom by Jon McNaught and Maggy Garrisson, by Lewis Trondheim and Stephane Oiry.

• Listen to the latest episode of the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast here on the official Podcast site

• Download the latest episode of the Podcast on Spreaker | iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart Radio

• Check out Nikki’s new comic Leaf and buy your copy now

• The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is back in Kendal in the Lake District 11th – 13th October 2019: www.comicartfestival.com

• Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast: www.comicartpodcast.uk | Twitter: @comicartfestpod | Facebook: @ComicArtPodcast | Instagram: @ComicArtPodcast

Regular contributors to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast include Tom Stewart from That Comic Smell, Pete Taylor, and Mike Williams

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.