Kids Comics Pitchfest 2026 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Comics creators from around the world submit their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents.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.
The Halloween Throne
When siblings Kyle and Arla tumble through an orange-glowing portal on Halloween night—echoing their father’s disappearance two years before—they land in a fractured realm where Living and Dead wage a stubborn war, fueled by a hidden third force. The key that drew them in (destroyed almost immediately) hints that one or both children may be Royals—important guardians that the factions are hungry to seize. Kyle vows to protect Arla as he couldn’t their father, but they are soon separated. With quirky allies, they must race for a path home before midnight seals the gateway and traps them for another year. They must face the ultimate choice: save themselves or save the realm. And the secret enemy might know them better than they could imagine.
Age Range:
Middle Grade (approx ages 9-12)Genre:
Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror/Scary, Humor, MysteryPage Count Estimate:
200
My Why:
I’ve always loved writing and drawing, and nothing excites me more than mashing them together in graphic novels. I’ve long admired clear bold art such as Jeff Smith’s Bone. Halloween also fueled that passion—as a child, I spent hours in our basement sketching spooky skeletons, skulls, and monsters dueling with swords (my parents were probably worried, but I did end up mostly normal!). On a recent jog, the idea for The Halloween Throne hit me: a portal adventure with the sibling dynamics of the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, but set in a Halloween world like The Nightmare Before Christmas. The idea grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. I hope readers feel the same thrill!
Comp Titles:
Lightfall, The Girl & the Galdurian, by Tim Probert, Amulet, the Stonekeeper, by Kazu Kibuishi, and Mighty Jack, by Ben HatkeAdrian Croft
Adrian is an investor by day—from an office not a couch, although that sounds way more cozy—a writer and artist by night, and a time-squeezed parent always, with his patient wife’s help. Born in the UK but whisked to Canada at two (his parents clearly didn’t research winter), he embraced his new home, honing hockey and skiing skills while conjuring imaginary worlds. He has two beloved boys who likely know he exists (clean clothes appear somehow), a dog, and a doggedly compulsive creative streak.