Kids Comics Pitchfest Showcase
Comics creators from around the world submit their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents. A panel of judges (click here to see the juror list) select the top pitches. Projects are archived here so that industry pros may view them and discover new talent.
ZOM!
Zom is a terrifying monster– well, he’s supposed to be. Turns out that he can’t even scare a baby, and the Queen of Monsterworld is not too happy about that. As ordered by the Queen, Zom sets out on a questionable journey to become more “scary”– as monsters should be. But along the way, he encounters unexpected new friends, conniving beasts, a violent sea monster, and tricky challenges that test the essence of who Zom really is.
ZOM! is the tale of Zom’s journey to embrace his individuality and where he learns that it’s okay to be himself even if that means going against the pressure from those around him!
Age Range:
Middle GradeGenre:
Adventure, Fantasy, FictionPage Count Estimate:
280
My Why:
Zom is a character that I’ve been playing around with in my head for about a year. But I didn’t believe I was ready to tell his story– until this past 2022 New York Comic Con. I asked the cartoonist, Art Balthazar, to draw a small commission of Zom. To my surprise, he loved Zom and told me I was ready to draw comics and to go for it, along with other inspirational words. I had never mentioned to him that I wanted to draw comics before that point, but somehow he knew. I’m so grateful for his words as they lit the fire in me to start.
ZOM! means a whole Monsterworld to me! My heart feels so full as I draw the adventures of Zom. Graphic novels are what make me feel fulfilled, and it took Zom to make me realize that.
Ashley Vargas
Hi, my name is Ashley Vargas I am an indie game developer. However, I’ve always had a huge passion for comics and graphic novels. I remember the first time my mom took me to the public library as a child and it was there where I saw a graphic novel for the first time. Since then, I’ve been drawing my own comics and coming up with characters and stories.
If I’m not drawing or working, I can usually be found buried in a comic somewhere or watching scary Youtube videos.