Mariko Tamaki author page

Mariko Tamaki Biography

Early Years

• Mariko Tamaki, born in 1975, is a Canadian artist and writer renowned for her contributions to graphic novels and fiction.
• She gained prominence for graphic novels like Skim, Emiko Superstar, and This One Summer.
• Notably, Tamaki commenced her career with Marvel and DC Comics in 2016 and has twice been a runner-up for the Michael L. Printz Award.

Formative Years and Education

• Tamaki was born in Toronto, Ontario, and is of Japanese and Jewish descent.
• She attended Havergal College, an all-girls’ secondary school, before pursuing English literature at McGill University, graduating in 1994.

Career Beginnings

• Initially, Tamaki worked as a writer and performance artist in Toronto, collaborating with various groups like Keith Cole’s Cheap Queers and the performance ensemble Pretty Porky & Pissed Off.
• Her debut novel, Cover Me (2000), addressed adolescent struggles with depression and feelings of alienation.

Graphic Novels and Artistic Collaborations

• Collaborating with her cousin Jillian Tamaki, she created the graphic novel Skim (2008), exploring teenage emotions, romance, and the complexities of adolescence.
• Emiko Superstar (2008), her second graphic novel with illustrator Steve Rolston, delves into a young woman’s quest for self-discovery amidst suburban constraints.
• She continued to make a mark with graphic novels like This One Summer (2014) and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me (2019).

Marvel and DC Ventures

• Notable forays into mainstream comics include writing for Marvel’s She-Hulk and DC’s Supergirl.
• In 2021, Tamaki took the helm of the ongoing Wonder Woman series for DC Comics.
• Her diverse contributions extend to novel adaptations of the Lumberjanes comic series.

Awards and Recognition

• Skim won the Ignatz Award, Joe Shuster Award, and Doug Wright Award in 2009.
• This One Summer received the prestigious Michael L. Printz Award and a Caldecott Honor in 2015.
• Her graphic novel Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me earned multiple accolades, including the Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens.

Notable Works

• Skim (2008)
• This One Summer (2014)
• Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me (2019)
• Wonder Woman (2020-2021)
• I Am Not Starfire (2021)
• Dark Detective (2021)