KCU Pitchfest Showcase 2025 (Top 50)
Entire 2025 Gallery | List of Judges | 2023 Showcase
Comics creators from around the world have submitted their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents. A panel of judges have selected the top pitches. The projects are archived here so that industry pros may view them and discover new talent.
The Witch Bear
The Witch Bear is a modern fairy tale about Autumn, a 12-year-old girl searching for inner strength after the loss of her mother, only to find that her mother has been resurrected as a magical, monster-fighting teddy bear!
Autumn faces magical dangers from an evil witch that wants her power, while contending with the everyday challenges of being a 12-year-old, including school bullies, stressful sleepovers, making new friends, and fighting her overprotective parents. A fantastical tale that explores the emotional toll of loss and stress, Autumn's journey in The Witch Bear inspires readers to find their own inner strength in the face of grief, challenge, and adversity.
Age Range:
Middle Grade (approx ages 9-12)Genre:
FantasyPage Count Estimate:
160
My Why:
After experiencing significant loss in the last few years, this is a very personal story for me. However, this story touches on universal themes that anyone of any age can relate to. Society places immense pressure on children and teens to be the best version of themselves. But, like adults, they face doubts and obstacles, grappling with grief, illness, bullying, social pressures, and more. Fiction, and specifically graphic novels, is a great way to explore a wide range of emotions and difficult situations in a safe space, allowing readers to connect with complex experiences in a way that's abstracted from their day-to-day life. My hope is to create stories that inspire, challenge, and offer comfort during difficult times.
Jonathan James
As Editor-in-Chief of Daily Dead, Jonathan James has been delivering the latest horror news and reviews to millions of readers worldwide since 2010. A recognized expert in entertainment and pop culture, he provides in-depth analyses of the horror genre to newspapers, radio stations, and convention audiences. A lifelong comic book reader and enthusiast, Jonathan has now turned his passion toward collaborating with artists to create compelling, character-driven horror stories.
Anna Wieszczyk
Comic book artist and creator. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, specializing in Graphic Design. She made her debut in the 2012 anthology Polski Komiks Kobiecy (Polish Woman Comics). Her comics, featuring her illustrations, have been published by publishers such as Image, Archaia, Black Mask, Iron Circus, and others. For several years, she has been creating under the alias Oasis of Hate. Her work is inspired by horror manga, obscure video games, and gothic literature.