Carl Macek: 1951-2010
We’ve just been informed that American anime producer and pioneer Carl Macek died Saturday of a heart attack. He was 58.
Carl created Robotech out of editing and redubbing three separate anime series Macross, Southern Cross, and Mospeada, co-founded Spumco with John Krickafalusi (Ren & Stimpy) and
co-founded Streamline Pictures (Akira, Vampire Hunter D, Fist of the North Star,
Laputa, My Neighbor Totoro) with Jerry Beck. Jerry remembers him here.
His history with comics was long-standing, as he directly wrote some of the Robotech comics for Comico, the books that pushed that company well into the black. Gerry Giovinco, publisher of Comico, has his own remembrance here. In later years, he was also responsible for the animated movie of the Chaos Comics character Lady Death, and had been working on translating episodes of Bleach and Naruto.
It could be argued that he was the most influential man in animation that never worked at Disney or Warner Brothers. He was a one of a kind guy, and will be missed.
Love him or not, without him, anime would be a blip on the radar and not the huge presence of today. Carl was always entertaining to chat with and we'll miss his presence in the animation world. To Carl's family, God bless you.
Click on the "Jerry remembers him" link above and read down to comments too, wonderful fan, friend and professtional memories and stories there ….
While I can't say I'm overly familiar with his work, I appreciate anyone who is as passionate about their field as this gentleman apparently was. My condolences to his family and friends.