Kids Comics Pitchfest 2023 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Comics creators from around the world submit their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents.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.
BOTS a graphic novel by Trip Park
Meet 11-year-old Malcolm Starcatcher, from the way-way future. He thinks he's just another Junior Explorer setting out to complete his botany solo expedition for school, until he stumbles upon an entirely new planetary civilization of Bots whose existence hangs in the balance because of his accidental arrival. But is this really the story of boy meets Bot, boy saves Bot population from tyrannical Bot leader...or is it all something completely down to earth?
Age Range:
Middle GradeGenre:
Dystopian, Fantasy, Humor, Science FictionPage Count Estimate:
250
My Why:
In exploring BOTS, and how a cocky kid is forced into a situation in which he has to save others - and in the process it changes him and his attitude, I didn't have to look too far. I've been in too many situations where I had to think fast and creatively to get by (including how to illustrate an inoffensive blind student in the Rotten School books). But in having a son growing up I was happy to get an opportunity to create Rotten School with RL Stine as we did not find many books out there for him, as I've seen limited choices for this MG target that are funny, character-driven with a science fiction/fantasy hook. I'm hoping BOTS can add another option out there one day.
Trip Park
I started with Leo Burnett as an art director in Chicago and went on to other agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi, NYC with a career of clients like McDonald’s, General Mills, Quaker Oats, Kellogg’s, Drug-Free America and Gatorade. I later illustrated the 16-book chapter series, Rotten School (Harper Collins) with RL Stine. I was an editorial cartoonist, and I went on to work for Blue Sky Studios feature animation as a character designer. Today I paint for upwards of 10 galleries.