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Comics creators from around the world submit their unpublished projects to be previewed online by editors and agents.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 Mask of Konjin
When nine-year-old Yamaji discovers a strange oni mask in the attic and puts it on, he vanishes.
Desperate, his fourteen-year-old sister Ashley, who was supposed to be watching him, puts on the mask herself and is pulled into the realm of Konjin, a powerful oni who rules a dazzling puppet kingdom of living bunraku dolls who perform endlessly for his delight.
Ashley meets Konjin and learns a terrible truth: he transformed her brother into a puppet and cast him in the show. To win their freedom, she must find Yamaji and convince him to choose home. But the clock is ticking, and he may not want to return. Konjin’s puppets will do anything to keep their newest star from leaving the stage.
Age Range:
Middle Grade (approx ages 9-12)Genre:
Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Magical RealismPage Count Estimate:
200
My Why:
I grew up loving stories where young heroes were swept into strange worlds and forced to learn new skills to survive. With The Mask of Konjin, I wanted the adventure to reflect something deeply personal: the responsibility of being an older sibling.
Ashley’s battle is not just against Konjin’s puppets, but against her own selfishness. If she does not choose to make Yamaji a priority, he may choose to walk away. To bring him home, she must become the kind of sister who makes him feel valued, seen, and loved.
Comp Titles:
The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin; Labyrinth by Jim Henson; Spirited Away by Hayao MiyazakiMark Sorenson
I’m Mark. I have worked in video games, animation, and even as an instructor at an art university for several years. My desire to learn more about story and writing led me to study at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, where I received my Master's in Writing for Children and Young Adults. When I’m not hunched over a screen drawing and writing, I can be found playing board games, hiking, or cooking with family and friends; usually with a Diet Coke in one hand.