MACC-POW!

MACC-POW, Macclesfield’s first mini, yet mighty comic convention packs a punch with a celebration of graphic art for Barnaby Festival

Macclesfield comic artist Marc Jackson, whose work appears in The Beano, has invited some of the big names in comic art to be part of the Macc Pow, Macclesfield’s first mini, yet mighty comic convention, this June.

Macclesfield’s Heritage Centre will host Macc Pow on Saturday June 25 – bringing together great and diverse artists including Sean Phillips, Leah Moore, Paul Grist, Lew Stringer, Oliver East, Emma Chinnery as well as, illustrators Dick Vincent and Laura Crow.

Leah Moore is a comic writer, journalist and editor of Electricomics as well as the daughter of Alan Moore, often described as one of the greatest graphic writers and known for his work in The Watchmen.

There will also be a live Q&A session and special appearance, via Skype, from American cartoonist James Kochalka, known for his series American Elf.

He will also be sending over one of his little paintings, which will be on show. Kochalka began making the little paintings as something to sell to fans at conventions, but they quickly became a consuming obsession that led to several incredibly successful gallery shows.

Phono+Graphic, an exhibition that explores the work of comic artists who have created artwork for vinyl, will run alongside Macc Pow as part of the Barnaby Festival.

Curated by internationally renowned comic artist Sean Phillips, for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in 2015, the exhibition is generously on loan to Macclesfield for the Barnaby Festival. It is a selection of classic and contemporary record sleeves with the only criteria being that the design work has had to feature on 12inch vinyl.

Oliver East who will be at Macc Pow is included in the exhibition with his record sleeve art work for The Seldom Seen Kid and Build a Rocket Boys that he produced for Manchester band Elbow.

Cartoonist Robert Crumb, Gorillaz creator Jamie Hewlett and Judge Dredd artist Brian Bolland are just some of the graphic artists to have designed artwork for record sleeves and you can see their work here.

Marc Jackson said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming all the artists. It’s great to see all forms of comic art and illustration celebrated in Macclesfield. There will be lots of opportunities for people to get involved too. We will be holding a Big Draw at Macc Pow, to remember the day and everyone is welcome to contribute.

“We’re also looking at having some live shows of cartoons and there will be plenty of opportunities to talk to the artists and see their work.”

Students from The Staffordshire University’s Comics and Cartoon Art course will also be taking part alongside Wow Comix who specialise in classic comics. Macclesfield’s Comic Book Shop will also be attending with a selection of their stock.

Marc added: “Come along and say hello. There will be something for everyone.”

Macc Pow, Macclesfield’s first mini, yet mighty comic convention, is free to attend at Macclesfield Heritage Centre on Saturday June 25 from 10am until 4pm.

Phono+Graphic is also free at Amuse café on Chestergate from June 17 – June 26