Yehudi Mercado – illustratör

Beware, villains! Cat Ninja may appear to be nothing more than a silly internet meme. But he is evil’s greatest enemy, and the silent master of Kat Fu and carpet scratching! From Epic! Originals, Cat Ninja is a hilarious graphic novel series about a lovable cat with a heroic alter-ego.“Cody’s hyperbolic superhero-movie narration and Mercado’s vibrant dynamic panels hit the sweet spot, marrying humor and heroics . . . perfection!” – KirkusReviews“Middle grade readers will love the blend of heroics and humor.” – School Library Journal Blog, Good Comics for KidsRaised from a kitten by a kindly old ninja master, Claude now spends his days as the pampered house cat of an eleven-year-old boy. But when trouble arises, Claude dons his mask and springs into action as Cat Ninja—Metro City’s secret protector! In Book 1 of the series, follow our feline hero’s early exploits as he tries to keep his secret identity under wraps while thwarting the evil plans of slimy crooks, rampaging robots, and a certain rodent nemesis who lives under the same roof.With fun characters, superhero humor, and adventures perfect for young readers ages 9-11, Cat Ninja is sure to delight.Why readers love Cat Ninja:Action-packed superhero adventures with a hilarious feline heroGraphic novel storytelling that keeps young readers engagedA fun blend of comedy, mystery, friendship, and adventureAccessible reading for reluctant readers, independent readers, and graphic novel fansPerfect for classroom, school library, and homeschool collectionsJoin Claude on his first adventure as Cat Ninja and discover why this fearless feline has become a favorite among young graphic novel readers everywhere.

Who’s a good boy? Jester is. Well, he wants to be. Maybe he is? He’s the Joker’s dog so of course he’s funny, but his sense of humor is about to be put to the test. Because when the super-villains of Gotham get thrown into Arkham, their henchpets go to the maximum-security pound known as Barkham Asylum.Being the Clown Prince of Crime’s dog doesn’t win him any friends behind bars, especially after he gets a tough-talking stray cat named Penny tossed into lockup with him. But they’ll have to work together to figure out what the evil Warden Shar Pei’s helper, Dr. Hugo Mange, is up to. And the only way to stop this terrifying team-up is to win the talent show and get visitation with their masters at Arkham on the hill. Because the Joker is sure to help!What could go wrong with that plan? And where does Gotham’s premier playboy Bruce Wayne’s butler Alfred fit in?

What if your family's house cat was secretly the city's greatest superhero? Dive whiskers-first into the complete Cat Ninja adventure with this action-packed graphic novel box set containing all six books in the bestselling series.By day, Claude is a pampered house cat living with eleven-year-old Leon. By night, he's Cat Ninja—Metro City's masked defender, master of Kat Fu, and fearless protector against villains, robots, mysteries, and mayhem. Alongside Master Hamster and a growing cast of allies and enemies, Cat Ninja faces hilarious challenges, thrilling adventures, and plenty of unexpected surprises.Perfect for young readers ages 9-11 who love superheroes, animals, humor, and graphic novels, this collection delivers hundreds of pages of fast-paced storytelling that keeps kids turning pages from beginning to end.This complete box set includes:Book 1: Cat NinjaFollow our feline hero's early exploits as he tries to keep his secret identity under wraps while thwarting the evil plans of slimy crooks, rampaging robots, and a certain rodent nemesis who lives under the same roof!Book 2: Time HeistWhen Leon brings a mystery egg home from school, Cat Ninja and Master Hamster face their biggest challenge yet: babysitting! And while they’re pretty sure they can keep an egg out of trouble, they know they’re in over their heads when that egg hatches into a high-energy ball of feathers and cuteness. It’s baby’s first superhero adventure when they decide to bring their newest family member along as they uncover the identity—and nefarious motives—of Metro City’s latest foe.Book 3: WantedMetro City's favorites and newcomers in tales that include a nearly cat-astrophic case of stolen identity, the not-so-villainous adventures of Master Hamster, and Adonis's first mission as one of the good guys. Enjoy six stand-alone stories, plus a five-part Cat Ninja special miniseries! Book 4: Welcome to the 'BurbsWhen Dad buys a new house outside the city, the kids are less than excited about new neighbors, backyard barbecues, and quiet, tree-lined streets. And they’re not alone—a summer in the suburbs is enough to make Cat Ninja miss the villains of Metro City! Our hero and his family feel like fish out of water when they arrive in Peaceful Valley, but it won’t be long before Dad’s new neighborhood reveals its scaly, golden underbelly.Book 5: Cat's ClawWhen a notorious band of ninjas discovers a certain Metro City hero wearing their colors and practicing their Kat Fu, their leader sets out to settle an old score. Plus, a nocturnal ninja flaps into town, Octopunch puts up his dukes (all eight of ’em!), Adonis plays hero, Master Hamster’s creative kitchen repairs end with a scorching surprise, and our favorite frenemies-against-the-odds compete in the villainous Vroomin' Race!Book 6: Heart of a HeroIt’s nonstop crime time in Metro City, and the hero the city needs is…Octopunch? Even an eight-armed avenger can’t keep the streets safe by himself, though, so Cat Ninja’s spending all his time catching crooks—and no time curled up with his family. When he realizes that Leon needs him more than Metro City does, it might be time to hang up the nunchucks. But with a brand-new baddie kidnapping every pest and pet in town, can our hero really afford to cat nap?Why readers love Cat Ninja:Action-packed superhero adventures with a hilarious feline hero Graphic novel storytelling that keeps young readers engaged A fun blend of comedy, mystery, friendship, and adventure Accessible reading for reluctant readers, independent readers, and graphic novel fans Perfect for classroom, school library, and homeschool collectionsJoin Cat Ninja on every adventure and discover why this beloved graphic novel series has become a favorite among young readers, superhero fans, and cat lovers alike.

In this full-color middle grade graphic memoir for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft, Yehudi Mercado draws inspiration from his childhood struggle with his weight while finding friendship with his imaginary mascot, Chunky, as he navigates growing up in a working class Mexican-Jewish family.Hudi needs to lose weight, according to his doctors. Concerned about the serious medical issue Hudi had when he was younger, his parents push him to try out for sports. Hudi would rather do anything else, but then he meets Chunky, his imaginary friend and mascot. Together, they decide to give baseball a shot. As the only Mexican and Jewish kid in his neighborhood, Hudi has found the cheerleader he never had. Baseball doesn’t go well (unless getting hit by the ball counts), but the two friends have a great time drawing and making jokes. While Hudi’s parents keep trying to find the right sport for Hudi, Chunky encourages him to pursue his true love—comedy.But when Hudi’s dad loses his job, it gets harder for Hudi to chart his own course, even with Chunky’s guidance. Can Chunky help Hudi stay true to himself or will this friendship strike out?* A TLA Maverick Graphic Novel of the Year * Banks Street Best Children's Books of the Year * ALSC Graphic Novel Pick of the Year * 2022-2023 Virginia Reads Middle Grade Book Winner *

In Yehudi Mercado’s full-color middle grade graphic memoir sequel to Chunky, Hudi and his imaginary friend, Chunky, head to Jewish summer camp, where the dynamic duo meet a new friend who can see Chunky, too, and get mixed up in a prank war. This series is perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft. Hudi finally embraced his love of art and comedy, but his class clown antics keep getting him in trouble. After Hudi’s artwork lands him in detention again, his parents decide a change is needed when summer arrives, and they sentence him to four weeks at summer camp.Hudi is hesitant about Camp Green—a Jewish sleepaway camp in the blazing Texas desert. At least he still has Chunky. Then Hudi meets Pepe, a fellow camper who’s also Latinx, Jewish, and a comedian like Hudi, and who—get this—can also see Chunky! What?! The rest of Hudi’s bunkmates are also a motley crew of misfits. Has Hudi finally found his people?This new friendship with Pepe leads Hudi and Chunky into all kinds of hijinks, including a prank war with a few rival campers: the rich, preppy trio of Joshes. Hudi soon realizes that Pepe is driven by more than just making people laugh and he’s not telling Hudi the truth. As the pranks escalate further than Hudi wants, he’s at risk of getting labeled a troublemaker again—can Chunky help Hudi save this new friendship? Or will it flame out?