A dear friend to Team MechaCon, CARL MACEK passed away due to a heart attack on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Carl was slated to join us once again at MechaCon in his beloved city of New Orleans in 2010. He is survived by his wife, Svea.

Carl was involved with various forms of entertainment media since the mid-1970’s. Graduating college with a degree in “The Theory and Criticism of the Visual Media” his career began as a journalist and West Coast editor for several publications but he soon he moved into marketing and promotional co-ordination. Starting with grassroots promotional work on milestone films such as STAR WARS and ALIEN, he eventually divided his time between development and promotional efforts for companies such as MGM and Columbia Pictures and worked for numerous industry icons including Dino Di Laurentiis and Ivan Reitman. Along the way, Macek wrote or co-edited several books on filmmaking. Eventually he became a “genre expert” specializing in science fiction and animation.

In 1984, Macek began his association with Japanese animation. He worked with Harmony Gold, U.S.A. to develop the groundbreaking anime series ROBOTECH that has been credited with igniting the still growing anime movement outside of Japan. Following his success with ROBOTECH, Macek began working for D.I.C. to develop original animation and merchandising properties. This led to his association with John Kricfalusi and later Bill Kroyer. Macek worked with Kroyer as a writer/producer and then split off with Kricfalusi to start an independent animation studio that later became Spumco.

In 1988/89 Macek joined with Jerry Beck to create Streamline Pictures – a distribution company dedicated to bringing Japanese animation into North America. After a few years, Beck left to pursue other opportunities in animation, but Macek and Streamline continued bringing such classic anime films as AKIRA, VAMPIRE HUNTER D, FIST OF THE NORTH STAR, ROBOT CARNIVAL and WICKED CITY (among others) into theaters, television broadcast and home video for over a decade. One of his most enduring projects during this period was the English-language adaptation of the Miyazaki classic MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO.

In the late 1990’s, Macek returned to original animation production and was instrumental in developing several projects (HEAVY METAL 2000 and later LADY DEATH). However, he still maintains his interest in anime. Most recently, he has adapted, produced and directed English-language versions of Tomino’s classic 49-episode fantasy AURA BATTLER DUNBINE. He continues to adapt Japanese anime for the North American market – most recently with GALAXY RAILWAY, NARUTO, BLEACH and KYO KARA MAOH!

Recently, Macek worked on a slate of original projects as well, including: WAR EAGLES – a novel inspired by Marion C. Cooper’s unrealized masterpiece set just prior to the start of World War II; THE D’ARC; GIRL IN THE IVORY TOWER and several others. Creating strong compelling stories and unforgettable characters is the hallmark of Macek’s unique brand of storytelling.

His efforts and output have been both praised and criticized with equal zeal over the years. But one undeniable fact remains – the current acceptance and growth of Anime would certainly be different had it not been for Macek’s groundbreaking work bringing Japanese animation to the largest possible audience.

Rest in peace Uncle Carl. The light of the world has grown a little dimmer without you in it. You will be missed, old friend.