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Comics creators from around the world submit their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents.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.
Mareen Life and the Legend of the Krak-Hen
Tired of staying with her mermaid mom, Mareen decides to run away to live with her human dad, Farmer Gil, on his floating farm. She’s barely dry before the locally hated, globally despised Mr. Takapeni arrives to repossess Gil’s farm unless he can come up with the money in three days. But Mareen just got here! She’s gotta think of something quick: The Krak-hen! If Mareen can find it, she can use the bounty to save the farm. With the help of some artsy pirates, the local coast guard, and her hammer-head pig friend Ham, can Mareen find the Legendary Krak-Hen and save the farm?
Age Range:
Middle Grade (approx ages 9-12)Genre:
Adventure, Humor, Mythology/FolklorePage Count Estimate:
180
My Why:
Mareen Life came out of finally accepting I am so much more than just one aspect of myself. As a nonbinary person with late diagnosed ADHD, it’s taken me a long time to accept that I was simply never meant to be just one thing. Exploring all aspects of one’s self and accepting your strengths and weaknesses is an important aspect of growing up that some of us don’t get until it feels too late. But really it’s only the beginning. Delivering this in an adventure style graphic novel that feels like a Saturday Morning Cartoon readers keep coming back for the imaginative world and characters they can grow with.
Comp Titles:
"InvestiGators" by John Patrick Green, "The Aquanaut" by Dan Santat, "Lightfall" by Tim ProbertDel Hahn
I’m Del! An American cartoonist and illustrator living in Auckland, New Zealand. I love stories about adventure and finding a way out of loneliness. I grew up the eldest of 6 kids and learned how to occupy myself by catching bugs and drawing my own trading cards. My most current projects include FAST BREAK (FSG/Macmillan, 2026) and THE NIGHT FOX (Top Shelf Productions2027). I also work as a storyboard artist at Mukpuddy Animation working on shows like BADJELLY and NIGHT EYES.