The Story
When Kevin's parents ignore his attempts to come out of the closet, he devises a plan to become more like Raymond, the popular gay kid at his high school. After all, if Kevin can do everything perfectly, too, then people will have to pay attention to him.
But life under Raymond's wing isn't easy: a dress code, new things Kevin can and can't do, and even abandoning his old "uncool" friends. Perfection comes at a cost, and Kevin must decide whether it's worth the sacrifice.
Author: Richard Mercado
Publisher: Graphix
Published: 07/07/2026
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.63lbs
Size: 9.24h x 6.42w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781546110903
Audience: Young Adult
Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 06/01/2026
Publishers Weekly 04/27/2026
School Library Journal 06/01/2026 pg. 100
About the Author
Richard Mercado is a Filipino cartoonist ad graphic designer whose minicomic I Owe It to My Parents to Not Come Out earned him a 2023 Ignatz nomination for Promising New Talent. He has an MFA in sequential art from Savannah College of Art and Design and works as a production artist for Skybound Entertainment. Coming Out Perfect is his debut graphic novel, based on his personal experience coming out to his family. He lives in Brooklyn New York. Visit him at richardmercz.myportfolio.com.
Description
When Kevin's parents ignore his attempts to come out of the closet, he devises a plan to become more like Raymond, the popular gay kid at his high school. After all, if Kevin can do everything perfectly, too, then people will have to pay attention to him.
But life under Raymond's wing isn't easy: a dress code, new things Kevin can and can't do, and even abandoning his old "uncool" friends. Perfection comes at a cost, and Kevin must decide whether it's worth the sacrifice.
Author: Richard Mercado
Publisher: Graphix
Published: 07/07/2026
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.63lbs
Size: 9.24h x 6.42w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781546110903
Audience: Young Adult
Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 06/01/2026
Publishers Weekly 04/27/2026
School Library Journal 06/01/2026 pg. 100
About the Author
Richard Mercado is a Filipino cartoonist ad graphic designer whose minicomic I Owe It to My Parents to Not Come Out earned him a 2023 Ignatz nomination for Promising New Talent. He has an MFA in sequential art from Savannah College of Art and Design and works as a production artist for Skybound Entertainment. Coming Out Perfect is his debut graphic novel, based on his personal experience coming out to his family. He lives in Brooklyn New York. Visit him at richardmercz.myportfolio.com.
