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Comics creators from around the world submit their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents.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.
Bleeding Kansas
The untold true story that blends the intrigue and resistance of ANDOR with the scope of BERLIN.
Charles Robinson has settled in the Kansas territory with hopes of creating a state free of slavery, but when a fellow abolitionist is killed, it sets off a cycle of escalating violence. As civil war looms, Charles is thrust into the role of a Free-State leader. The government views him as a traitor, and members of his own party see him as a pacifist. Now Charles must navigate a clash of opposing ideologies while trying to prevent an all-out war.
However, not all Free-Staters are opposed to the potential conflict. Fiery John Brown believes that violence is the only means to fight slavery, and has lost faith in Charles’s peaceful resistance.
Age Range:
Young Adult (approx ages 13+)Genre:
Historical Fiction, History, Social IssuesPage Count Estimate:
450
My Why:
Bleeding Kansas tells the story of how a civil war starts, not with armies or secession, but with the gradual breakdown of law and order and people feeling left out of the democratic process. It explores how neighbors with differing political beliefs begin to see each other as an enemy. It is about what happens when peaceful resistance fails and if the cost of violence is worth the cause of liberty.
This forgotten part of American history is more relevant now than ever. By looking at history, we can see how people of the past responded to crises and learn from them. My hope is that readers can take lessons from Bleeding Kansas about resistance and working with imperfect allies in the face of injustice.
Comp Titles:
Berlin by Jason Lutes; The Life of Frederick Douglass by David F. Walker, Damon Smyth, and Marissa Louise; March by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate PowellJustin Ogleby
Justin Ogleby is a lifelong resident of Kansas with a love of stories, art, and film. After earning a BFA in graphic design, he discovered that storytelling is the foundation of all effective communication. He is currently using those skills at a non-profit health center to promote healthcare services for under-served communities. In his free time, he writes, creates, and helps promote his flyover community.
Alessandra Imperio
Italian artist Alessandra Imperio holds a degree in Illustration and Animation from IED Milan. She has experience in illustration, storyboarding, and comics. Prior to her work on Bleeding Kansas, she illustrated the graphic novel Khor’s Land, published by Caliber Press in the United States, and also released in Italy and Poland. She also penciled The Republic, a graphic novel published in the United States through a crowdfunding campaign.