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Comics creators from around the world have submitted their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents.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.
Taggin' Quest - The Art of Magic
In a world where graffiti is more than just art – it’s magic – an unskilled outcast sets out on a quest with two powerful teen graffiti mages to protect their homeland from dark forces while discovering their true artistic potential.
Age Range:
Middle Grade (approx ages 9-12)Genre:
Adventure, BIPOC, Fantasy, HumorPage Count Estimate:
180-220
My Why:
Taggin' Quest is my love letter to graffiti, video games, manga, and my father. See, my dad was a graffiti artist in Philly back in the day as well as a comic artist. Multiple Sclerosis took his ability to draw and he's since passed on. He always told me never to give up on my dreams and to always believe in myself. That's what Taggin' Quest is all about. It's the artist's journey in adventure form with a few Puerto Rican cultural easter eggs thrown in to rep my people.
After spending my 20's as a full-time geek lifestyle blogger and my 30's as a creative director for global and national brands, I'm spending my 40's chasing my childhood dream of creating worlds, characters, and stories through comics.
Comp Titles:
Sorceline by Sylvia Douyé and Paola Antista, 5 Worlds by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel, Lightfall by Tim Probert, Amulet by Kazu KibuishiRobby Melendez
Robby “RAW!” Melendez (that's me!) is a cartoonist based in Pickerington, Ohio. He blends genres and styles to tell over-the-top, character-driven stories packed with emotion and style.
His artwork is bold, colorful, and expressive, drawing inspiration from street art, animation, manga, and vinyl toys.
After nearly two decades in various creative marketing roles, he's finally using his creative gifts for himself instead of someone else and urges all artists to strive for the same.