Comic Convention
Organiser Marc Jackson Talks MACC-POW Festival
Big Macc
This June is the ninth MACC-POW Festival taking place in Macclesfield just south of Manchester and its organiser Marc Jackson is also a writer-artist who’s been published in places like The Phoenix. Tripwire’s editor-in-chief Joel Meadows spoke to Jackson recently to talk about how the show has evolved and what we can expect at this year’s event …
TRIPWIRE: What was the genesis of MACC POW?
MARC JACKSON: The festival launched in 2016, as part of a 10 day arts festival called Barnaby that takes place every two years in Macclesfield. A conversation with my late friend Aileen McEvoy led to me asking “Do you think we could do a mini comics event as part of the festival?” And her answer was “I think you could” Her passion for comics and the arts in general was infectious and due to her background with the Arts Council, very well informed. She also worked with the Lakes international comic art festival, which actually inspired how I decided to curate the event. I feel we are the little sibling of that great event.
TW: What is the remit of the show?
MJ: To fully focus on promoting comic art and those that create it.
TW: How has it changed and evolved in its nine year existence?
MJ: It’s gotten bigger! This year we are taking over three rooms in the town hall, two of which will be full of creators, another entirely for workshops, live draws etc. We are also connecting up with more local businesses, cafés, bars, the town library etc, and due to a increased grant from the Town council who have been supporting the event since 2019, we can invest in more creators financially. Increase our promotion and how we do that, and working with a local school. We are also launching an all-ages comic called GOOF that is being created by cartoonists supported by that grant.
We are also hosting a four-evening comic book film festival at the local indie cinema, with free screenings of some fantastic films routed in comics. I also want to make sure we stand out, so we are proud of doing things very differently than other events. The ideas I have to keep it unique, are unique to my approach to making comics I think too.
We also run a full day of comic art workshops on the second day at our studio Room for comics, which again offers something very unique.
TW: How important has it been to emphasise local talent?
MJ: More to emphasise local business, and the people who live locally. I wanted to create something for the town, that entertained and fed back into it. We have found that since starting a couple of children who have shown me their work at the festival when they were younger, are now in their late teens and actually tabling. Full circle!
I’m known in town as the guy that makes the comics for my sins, but that helps greatly when coming to promote it. I have a built in audience in schools etc that always attend!
TW: The show has always been family friendly since it started. What does this bring to the show?
MJ: A open door to anyone regardless of age. We have remained free to get in throughout, allowing entire families to come in for a look, even if they don’t know comics, and leave with a bag full! We have lots of interactive elements, so it’s not just about buying, there’s plenty to see and do which is very important in keeping visitors in the building.
TW: You are a professional comics writer and artist. What transferrable skills do you bring to putting the show on?
MJ: Knowing how to create a good poster! Also, how to look after your guests and exhibitors. I make a point that they all know who I am, so if they want to ask me a question, they can. It’s not a faceless event.
TW: The main show runs for one day although you do have events happening on days before and after. What are the pros and cons of a one day comic show?
MJ: It’s affordable to attendees in all ways. They can travel here and back on the same day (we are incredibly well connected by rail – 25 mins to Manchester direct, 1hr 45mins to London direct too!) That has really helped. Plus only a few guests stay over, but that’s if they are taking part in the second days activities. So again, it hopefully doesn’t cost the world. We also keep our table costs as low as possible.
TW: How would you describe Macc Poww in one pithy sentence?
MJ: A comic art festival that takes place in Macclesfield in Cheshire that you should totally come to! You’ll love it!
Visit Macc Poww’s home online
