MACC-POW! returns this weekend

By John Freeman on July 1, 2022

The all-ages comic event MACC-POW! returns to Macclesfield after three long years, with lots of free happenings across the town.

It’s a truly fantabulous event for the town that brings together both local and international creators in a leap and one-single-bound. Get up-close and personal with legendary comic pros and the bright stars of the future, as and celebrate the world of comics and comic book art, with a diverse mix of amazing creators.

This year’s event once again takes place in the listed Town Hall, in the centre of the town,with a room full of incredible comic artists exhibiting their work.

Organised by unstoppable comic creator Marc Jackson, and team, the popular event is supported by Macclesfield Town Council, The Wharf, The Phoenix, Sleep, Eat, Repeat B&B, the Macclesfield Graphic Novel Reading Room, and Print-it.

Guests this year include: Charlie Adlard, Sayra Begum, Nick Brokenshire, Tor Freeman, Laura Howell, Dicky Howett, Iman, Charlot Kristenson, Roger Langridge, Sonia Leong, Jacob Phillips, Sean Phillips, Emmeline Pidgen, Tim Quinn, Jim Smith, Lew Stringer, Kev F Sutherland, and Asya Voitenko.

(Rachael Smith has unfortunately had to cancel her planned appearance due to illness).

As if that wasn’t enough to encourage you, an impressive lineup of exhibitors at Macclesfield Town Hall includes Sam Baldwin, Nicole Bates, Pete Doree, Dom Duong, Rick Eades, Oliver East, Yetunde Ekuntuyi, Michelle Freeman and Margaux Portron, Foxhat, Froggy Froo, Matt Greaves, Drew Hird, Mr Hope, Toria McCallum, Jim Medway and Broken Cross school, Russ Meehan, Claire O’Brien, Ahmed Raafat, Emma Reynolds, James Riding, Neil Roche, Shanefaced, Olivia Sualdea, Two B, Dick Vincent, Lyndon White, Dan Whitehead, and Kit Jo Yuki.

Plus, there will be activities taking place across Macclesfield in the Library (“How to draw Minnie the Minx” with Laura Howell); Barry Loser creator Jim Smith is signing in Waterstones (then leading a ‘walk n’ draw’ to the Town Hall); the Button Warehouse is transforming into the Graphic Novel Reading room, Cinemac is showing the classic 1966 Batman movie; and Room for comics is hosting a full day of drawing workshops.

“You might not know comics that well, but believe me, this bunch are all kinds of awesome!” Marc enthuses. “I’m so proud of what we have going on this weekend, please come along if you can. We promise you a great two days across lots of locations in town.

“Come and discover the world of comic art!”

• MACC-POW! 2022 Saturday 2nd – Sunday 3rd July 2022. Various venues | Full details online at www.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.