Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki collaborating on new graphic novel, to be published in 2023
The cousins previously worked together on Skim and This One Summer
Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki are collaborating on a third graphic novel.
The cousins previously worked together on Skim in 2008 and This One Summer in 2014. Mariko Tamaki wrote the storyline while Jillian Tamaki illustrated the books.
Skim won the Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature — text while This One Summer won the Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature — illustration.
The new comic is about two best friends named Zoe and Dani. It's 2009, and they are college freshmen who decide to meet up in New York City. Dani's new college friend and classmate Fiona comes along and the three young adults tour New York, taking in everything the city has to offer.
The project, which currently is not titled, will be published in 2023. It will be published by Drawn & Quarterly (D+Q).
"In 2010, Jillian and Mariko exploded the YA graphic novel market with a nuanced queer goth coming-of-age story filled with subtext. Skim raised the bar on what we consider young adult, both in subject matter and art style," D+Q publisher Peggy Burns said in a press release.
"With this new book, they're now shifting their focus to early adulthood, capturing female friendship and the perils of growing up via an eye-opening trip to NYC. Their magic of being able to completely intertwine their individual art forms into a cohesive, spectacular whole is on display yet again."
Both Tamakis have had successful publishing careers outside their collaborations.
Mariko Tamaki has written comics, YA novels and graphic novels. Her other books include the YA novels (You) Set Me on Fire, Saving Montgomery Sole and the graphic novel Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, which was illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O'Connell.
She has written comic books for Marvel, Darkhorse and DC including She-Hulk, Supergirl, Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn. She is also launching a publishing imprint focused on LGBTQ creators called Surely Books. She was named best writer by the Eisner Awards in 2020.
Jillian Tamaki has published the graphic novels Supermutant Magic Academy and Boundless as well as the picture book They Say Blue and Our Little Kitchen.
They Say Blue won the 2018 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature — illustrated books.
