Kids Comics Pitchfest Showcase

Mark & Zark

Mark freaks out when a little green guy flies out of the sky and crashes into him. He’s relieved when he finds out that Zark is really just a kid—like him—but from Mars. Zark wants to learn all about Earth, so he disguises himself as an Earthling using a blonde wig and a clown nose. Now Mark has to worry about going to a new school and being a tour guide for an incognito Martian. Mark and Zark are both super-psyched for the science fair. Will their Origamibots be amazing enough to win first prize against Marcia’s top secret project? Zark thinks they’ve got a shot if they use the Bigifier. This Martian gadget can make anything grow to gigundous size—like their project! Or Mark’s underwear—whoops! Mark has a bad feeling about this . . .

My Why:

The heart of MARK & ZARK is the friendship between the shy, anxious Earthling Mark and the fun-loving, adventurous Martian Zark. Mark needs to believe in himself, and Zark helps him to do that. As a kid, I was a bit like Mark. I was fortunate to meet more Zark-like friends whose encouragement helped me to gain some confidence. I’d like to pass along some of that same encouragement through this story. I want to address the real lives of kids, but to get there through a fantastic sci-fi story with zany humor because those were the types of stories that appealed to me as a kid (and still do!).