Template Pack: Storyboard & Pitch Deck for Selling Graphic Novel IP to Agencies

Stop wasting weeks designing slides that don’t convert — ship a ready-made pitch that agencies can read in 90 seconds

If you’re a graphic-novel creator or comic publisher pitching to agencies and buyers, your biggest bottleneck isn’t creativity — it’s packaging. Long, inconsistent decks and low-info artboards get ignored. Agencies like WME and buyers at streamers now expect IP to arrive already half-baked into a transmedia roadmap: clear characters, a visual tone, and production-ready beats that translate to animatics, games, or series. That’s why we built a Template Pack: Storyboard & Pitch Deck for Selling Graphic Novel IP to Agencies — downloadable, adaptable, and designed for the 2026 dealmaker’s attention span.

The evolution of graphic-novel pitching in 2026 (and why templates matter)

After a wave of agency signings and transmedia formations in late 2024–2025, the industry’s playbook has shifted. Agencies are no longer just packaging talent — they’re buying intellectual property that can be developed across streaming, animation, games, and brand partnerships. A recent example: Variety reported that European transmedia studio The Orangery, which controls graphic-novel IP such as Traveling to Mars and Sweet Paprika, signed with WME in January 2026 — a clear signal that agencies are aggressively pursuing packaged IP that can be scaled across media.

“Transmedia IP Studio the Orangery, Behind Hit Graphic Novel Series ‘Traveling to Mars’ and ‘Sweet Paprika,’ Signs With WME.” — Variety, Jan 16, 2026

Today, buyers prefer one thing above all: low-friction evaluation. They want logline → visual proof → franchise case in under 90 seconds. That means your materials must be concise, visual-first, and production-aware. A standardized storyboard pack plus a tight pitch template cuts rejection risk and speeds deals.

What’s inside the Template Pack (downloadable and ready-to-use)

We created this pack specifically for creators pitching comics and graphic novels to agencies, managers, and production companies. Everything is provided in common, editable formats so you can deliver in the exact shape buyers expect.

• Pitch-deck frames (Keynote, PowerPoint, Figma, PDF): cover, logline, one-paragraph pitch, character one-pagers, tone & style, episode arcs, comps, audience & distribution map, IP rights checklist, merchandising & revenue model.
• Storyboard templates (Figma, Photoshop, Procreate, printable PDF): 3x grid (comic-native), 6-8-12 panel film-style sequences, 16:9 animatic frame templates with camera arrows and timing stamps.
• One-page animation bibles (vertical & horizontal): single-page summaries for animators and buyers — includes character info, color palette swatches, key poses, sound direction, and target runtime.
• Asset library: SVG camera arrows, gesture stencils, panel masks, prop & background icons, HUD elements for sci-fi, fashion swatches for romance/steamy titles, and export-ready PNGs for comps.
• Animatic starter kit: After Effects (.aep) scene placeholders, voiceover timeline template, temp-sfx & music cues, and a short how-to for exporting review links.
• Transmedia roadmap frame: a slide and editable diagram to show potential adaptations (series, miniseries, podcast, game, merch), rights split, and timeline to production.
• Legal & submission checklist: clear file naming conventions, deliverables checklist, and a sample one-paragraph rights statement to include in your email or pitch cover.

Formats & compatibility — ship what they ask for

Every agency has different tech preferences. The pack includes files ready for the most common review environments:

• Editable: Figma, PSD, AI-free layered PNGs
• Presentation: PPTX and KEY
• Print/web-ready: PDF 150dpi optimized + 72dpi preview
• Animatic: AE templates, MP4 export presets (H.264), and Storyboard-to-Timeline CSV

Step-by-step workflow: From page to pitch (90-minute build)

Use this timeline to prepare a high-impact submission in under two hours — or refine it into a production-ready package in a few days.

1. Start with the core IP summary (10–15 min). Fill the provided Logline Frame: one sentence that captures stakes, protagonist, and hook. Example: “A disgraced astronaut with a secret map smuggles children off-world to save humanity’s last spice.” Keep it crisp.
2. Choose your Pitch-Deck frames (10 min). Assemble: Cover → Logline → One-Paragraph → Character One-Pagers (2-3) → Tone & Visuals → Episode/Arc Sketches → Comps & Audience → Transmedia Roadmap → Ask (what you want from the agency).
3. Build 12–15 visual beats in the Storyboard (20–30 min). Use the 16:9 animatic frames for motion sequences and the 3x grid for key comic panels. Select the 8–12 frames that communicate the main arc and one emotional turning point. Use the pack’s camera arrows, shot labels (EXT/INT, POV), and timing field (seconds) so buyers can picture the scene in motion.
4. Create the One-Page Animation Bible (10–15 min). Drop in character silhouettes, color keys, core theme, target run-time, and sample cue for sound and score. Keep copy to 150 words — buyers skim.
5. Render a 30–60 second animatic snippet (20–40 min). Import storyboard frames into the animatic starter kit, add temp VO and a music cue. Export as an MP4 under 10MB for email or upload to a private review link for larger files.
6. Package and name files (5–10 min). Use the included naming convention: NAME_Title_COMPANY_Type_Version (e.g., "Lopez_Night_Market_WME_PitchDeck_v01.pdf"). Include a one-line rights statement as a cover sheet.

Storyboard best practices for graphic novels pitching to agencies

Storyboards for a pitch differ from production boards. In pitches, clarity trumps detail. Use these rules when dropping images into the template.

• Thumbnail first: Tight thumb sketches communicate framing and staging quickly. 80% of decisions happen at thumbnail level.
• Label shot purpose: Each frame should have a one-line intention: "Introduce hero", "Reveal twist", "Establish world rules." This helps non-artist readers follow your logic.
• Use camera language: Insert arrows for movement and abbreviations (CU, ECU, OTS, MS, LS). Buyers want to see cinematic thinking even for comics.
• Mood over detail: Use the asset library’s texture swatches, color chips, and lighting presets instead of fully painted frames.
• Timing for animatics: Fill the timing field with approximate seconds. For a 45–60s animatic, allocate beats: 8–12s for setup, 20–30s for complication, 10–20s for resolution.

One-page animation bible template (fill-in guide)

Buyers will read this page first for production fit. Keep it tight and factual.

• Title & genre — 3 words (e.g., "Night Market: Neo-Noir Sci-Fi")
• Runtime/Format — 8–10 episodes @ 22m / 12–issue comic arc / feature
• Core hook (20 words) — one sentence that sells the engine of the story
• Main character(s) — name, archetype, visual shorthand (one line each)
• Tone & style — three reference titles + color palette swatches
• Sound & score notes — short descriptors: lo-fi synths, orchestral motifs, diegetic street sounds
• Adaptation notes — what can be easily adapted: episodic structure, world hooks, IP hooks (merch, AR filters, soundtrack)

How to position rights & transmedia potential (what agencies care about)

Agencies evaluate not just a story, but the economic upside. Your pack includes a ready-to-edit Transmedia Roadmap slide — use it like this:

• Lead with rights you control — list publishing, film/TV, games, merchandise, and any outstanding co-rights.
• Show earliest monetizable verticals — e.g., short-form animated shorts for streaming, licensed apparel, a serialized podcast adaptation.
• Include low-cost proof points — a short animatic, a merchandise moodboard, or a proof-of-concept teaser link.
• Be transparent about development stage — early IP, scripted pilot, fully illustrated graphic novel, or completed series — agencies need to know how much work is left and what you’re asking for.

Pitch-deck copy templates (quick fill)

Use these short, agency-oriented copy snippets in the pitch frames.

• Logline: A single-sentence engine. (Format: When [inciting incident], [protagonist] must [goal] or else [stakes].)
• One-paragraph pitch: Setup, complication, stakes, and why now (100–150 words).
• Market comps: Name 2–3 comparable titles with a one-line justification each (e.g., "X meets Y: same tone, different audience").
• Ask slide: Clear CTA: "Seeking agency representation for TV/Film/Brand Partnerships; available to option rights worldwide; seeking a co-producer for pilot."

Sample deliverable checklist to send to agencies

Attach this short list to your email to remove friction for reviewers.

1. PDF Pitch Deck (8–12 slides)
2. One-Page Animation Bible (PDF)
3. Storyboard PDF (12 frames selected, labeled)
4. Animatic MP4 (30–60s) or private review link
5. Rights Statement & Contact Info (one page)

Email pitch template (one-line subject + 3-sentence body)

Keep it short. Paste this into your outreach.

Subject: [Title] — Visual IP for adaptation (30s animatic + 1-pager)

Hi [Name], I’m sending a tight package for [Title], a [genre] graphic novel with strong transmedia potential. Attached: a one-page animation bible, an 8–12 slide pitch deck, a 30s animatic, and storyboard frames — happy to follow up with a pilot script or full artbook. Best, [Your Name] — [Contact]

Industry context & trends to reference in your pitch (2026)

Use current trends to strengthen your market case. Key points buyers are listening for in 2026:

• Agencies acquiring transmedia IP: Agency signings of IP studios (like WME’s interest in The Orangery) prove demand for packaged, cross-platform IP.
• Short-form-to-longform pipelines: Buyers favor IP that can spawn short-form teasers and social-first content to grow an audience pre-launch.
• AI-assisted previsualization: While AI accelerates thumbnails and coloring, production-facing boards and animatics must retain human-driven direction and rights cleanliness. Use AI for speed, not for ownership ambiguity.
• Franchise monetization: Beyond screen deals, buyers want clear merchandising and licensing angles — include these in the Transmedia slide.

Case study: What The Orangery–WME deal teaches pitch-makers

When Varieties’ Jan 2026 report covered The Orangery’s signing with WME, the headline wasn’t just about prestige — it signaled the kind of IP agencies are hunting: visually distinct, transmedia-ready, and already structured for adaptation. That alignment between IP creator and agency strategy is exactly what this Template Pack helps you achieve.

Practical lesson: Don’t just show art. Show how the art maps to screens, sound, and product. Deliver a 30s animatic and a one-page roadmap that explains the first three monetizable steps. That’s the pack’s goal: to make that work effortless and repeatable.

Advanced strategies: how to stand out in 2026

Once you use the templates, level up with these tactics.

• Personalized comping: Replace generic comps with recent deals (two in the last 18 months). Name shows with similar streaming placement or platform fit.
• Localized pitch variants: For international agencies, prepare one slide with region-specific hooks (e.g., EU tax credits, UK co-pro considerations, or anime studio interest for Japanese co-development).
• Interactive proof: Provide a low-bandwidth HTML preview of your animatic or an embedded Loom link so executives can watch without downloads.
• Data-driven audience slide: Use social listening or Kickstarter pre-sales to show existing demand. Even small traction helps.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Too many detailed frames — it slows evaluation. Keep to the strongest 12–15 frames for story clarity.
• Unclear rights language — agencies need to know if they’re buying options or full rights.
• Heavy art with no production intent — paint a scene, but show how it becomes a 22-minute episode or a 90-second trailer.
• Ignoring agency specifications — always ask preferred file types before submitting larger files.

Actionable takeaways — use these in your next pitch

• Ship a one-page animation bible with every submission.
• Include a 30–60s animatic snippet to demonstrate tone and pacing.
• Name files with agency-friendly conventions and include a short rights statement up front.
• Use the storyboard pack’s camera and timing fields to demonstrate cinematic intent at a glance.

Ready-to-download templates and next steps

If you want to get straight to work, the Template Pack includes all frames, storyboards, and one-page bibles described above — export-ready and optimized for agency review. Use the included walkthrough to produce a pitch-ready package in under two hours, or follow the extended workflow to create production deliverables if you’re targeting a 2026 pilot season submission.

Final note from an experienced creator

Your art is the engine, but your pitch is the transmission. In 2026, agencies want IP that moves across screens. Use the pack to make your graphic novel not just readable, but adaptable. Show them a sequence they can hear, a character they can franchise, and a roadmap that makes money. That’s how you win attention — and deals.

Call to action

Download the Storyboard & Pitch Deck Template Pack now at storyboard.top to get the exact frames agencies prefer, plus bonus animatic starter templates and a transmedia roadmap. Try the free one-page animation bible sample and follow our step-by-step guide to build a pitch that grabs WME-level attention. Ready to turn your graphic novel into sellable IP? Get the pack and start pitching today.

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