KCU Pitchfest Showcase 2026 (Shortlist)
Entire 2026 Gallery | List of Judges | 2025 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Comics creators from around the world have submitted their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents.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.
LEO OF SNOVIO
When an abandoned Emperor penguin egg hatches, Leo observes various ways animals survive. Luckily, he’s adopted by two Gentoo penguins. He grows, discovers shipwrecks, and salvages parts to make things like fishing poles, and climbing grips. But the most important invention will protect penguins from the monsters of the sea—orcas. The Gentoo colony lives in fear of a wicked orca named Betta, and her pod. Betta always has the advantage. Vinnie, a rockhopper penguin, says Leo “isn’t a normal penguin.” But is being an odd bird his strength? Leo teams up with a cranky skua, Mr. Salty, and an Adélie penguin named Eleanor. They look to invent a way to save the colony from Betta!
Age Range:
Early Middle Grade (approx ages 7-9)Genre:
HumorPage Count Estimate:
150-200
My Why:
I started writing a story about a tiny penguin overcoming the enormity of his natural world because I’m a feeler—and have been since I was a kid. I’ve always felt the weight of the world was too much to bear. But I also felt there was a way to live without being paralyzed by the world’s assault on emotions. I thought if I could create a character that thrived in his brutal world—defeating adversaries using his brain—it would be a good way to speak boldness to other feelers.
Comp Titles:
BARB THE LAST BERZERKER by Dan Abdo and Jason Linwood Patterson, THE UNDERDOGS by Kate and Jol Temple, ONCE UPON A TIM by Stuart GibbsJarrett Rutland
J. Rutland began writing seriously after art school, and published picture books, among which were CHILLY DA VINCI, and I LOVE YOU NO MATTER WHAT: A PRINCE CHIRPIO STORY. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with his amazing wife, son, daughter, and their Australian Kelpie: Halle [tall ears perk up]. He’s currently illustrating a graphic novel about Asheville’s history, as well as a story in an anthology telling survivor stories from Hurricane Helene.