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Comics creators from around the world submit their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents.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.
Ketty & Ara, The City of Monsters
Ketty and Ara are best friends. Ketty isn’t magic but wishes she was. Ara is magic but wishes she was just ‘normal’
When Ara is to be sent off to magic school the friends make plans to run away to recover a relic: The sword of a long-lost, monster-slaying hero. One problem, it’s in the terrifying City of Monsters
But when Ketty and Ara reach the City of Monsters and are saved by a group of monster kids they realise what they’ve been told about monsters and the city isn’t true. The city is a thriving community that keep each other safe.
When Ketty and Ara learn the truth behind the long-lost “monster-slaying” hero they team up with their new friends to try find a cure and save the life of a hero to monsters and humans alike.
Age Range:
Middle Grade (approx ages 9-12)Genre:
Adventure, Fantasy, FictionPage Count Estimate:
220-250
My Why:
The first spark of my interest in creating stories and worlds of my own was my dad running DnD for me and my siblings. I still play DnD with my dad, and now my son too. As a Game Master, I love creating stories about these fantastical worlds and the characters who inhabit them. As a Dad I also wanted to write a fantasy story with less emphasis on combat and violence than DnD and a lot of typical fantasy stories. A story that demonstrates non-violent conflict resolution while showing kids: the importance of community, that difference shouldn’t be scary, and how others can help us to find our magic. The City of Monsters is a fun adventure that shows how young people often hold the spark needed to change our perceptions and change the world.
Comp Titles:
Hilda by Luke Pearson, 5 worlds by Mark Siegel, Brownstones Mythical Collection by Joe Todd StantonJake Holmes
I’m an artist residing on Kaurna Land. in South Australia. I have been a freelance artist for 14 years and currently work as an art facilitator for people living with a disability.
I have worked on many of my own shorter comics, usually sold at the zine fair I co founded, Zina Warrior Print Fest.
When I’m not working on my comics I am playing with my kid, screen printing, reading, playing roleplaying games or working as a volunteer firefighter.