In Coming Out Perfect, Richard Mercado's stirring, empathetic YA graphic novel, the Ignatz Award-nominated cartoonist uses his own story about telling his family he's gay to explore the nuances of queer experiences.
Kevin Reyes, a high schooler in the Philippines, feels invisible: most of his classmates act like they don't know him; his parents don't react when he tells them he's gay; and his sister overshadows him with her flawless medical school grades. Kevin wishes he could be more like Raymond, his rich and handsome classmate who is "the perfect gay teenager." Fortunately, Raymond sees potential in Kevin and agrees to give him a makeover--as long as Kevin runs as his vice-president in the student council election. Kevin agrees and is transformed into a brand-new person, with a haircut, new clothes, and a refreshed social media presence. But before Kevin knows it, he's drinking and ignoring his childhood friends while trying to fit in. Is popularity worth sacrificing his true self?
Mercado deftly depicts the pressure to chase perfection that teens can feel from familial expectations. Kevin's parents constantly compare him to his older, more accomplished sister, which pushes him into actions that don't fit his personality. Mercado's art is dichromatic, featuring a dark blue and washes of peach. His illustrations are expressive and realistically depict characters' emotions so that even wordless panels speak loud and clear. Coming Out Perfect also spotlights queer experiences in the Philippines (for example, showing the unspoken constraints placed on Raymond to be a socially "acceptable" gay person), allowing teens worldwide to easily approach this earnest queer coming-of-age story. --Lana Barnes, freelance reviewer and proofreader