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MariNaomi has been self-publishing Estrus Comics since 1997. Stories included in Estrus have been featured in the such publications as Action Girl Comics (Slave Labor), True Porn (Alternative Comics), Not My Small Diary and Pet Noir (Manic D Press).
We're sorry, but Estrus Comics is no longer available to purchase from this website. Look for MariNaomi's graphic memoir, KISS & TELL, published by HarperCollins in April 2011.
Reviews of Estrus Comics #6 …
Read Rob Clough’s sequart.org review here. Read Rod Lott’s Bookgasm review here. “Estrus Comics #6: More Kiss and Tell Stories details MariNaomi’s love
life from 1984 to 1990, during which period she falls all-too-swiftly for
a variety of cads. Well, the guy who ends up going to prison seems all
right—other than, you know, the prison part—but I don’t want to spoil the
story for you. Clean, bold art with nicely delineated characters is * * * * *
Reviews of Estrus Comics #5 …
“Jeffrey Brown once said that to make effective comics, you have to write about stuff that you don’t want anyone to know. MariNaomi does just that, telling short stories about her experiences with dudes. Some recollections go back ten years, and they are masterpieces that I wish were longer. I like reading about disappointments and the learning that comes from them—especially when they’re not mine.” “Mari Naomi tells honest stories about her love life. Sometimes they're sweet, sometimes painfully embarrassing...but they're so genuine every time.” MariNaomi takes an amusing angle on the confessional comic, telling various stories about the various relationships she's had throughout her life. This ranges from childhood crushes to flings to serious romances, and it's unsparing in detail, no matter how embarrassing. What makes the comic work is Naomi's trenchant wit and ability to shape a series of anecdotes into a kind of narrative. The way she jumps around in time, providing a bit of disorientation for the reader, is another key to making each story pop.” “With a bold cartooning style, San Francisco-based artist MariNaomi chronicles her past relationships with boys – mostly sexual – in the self-published ESTRUS COMICS. The current fifth issue opens with a remembrance of a “I’ll show you mine if…” incident with a male babysitter; when she sees his penis, rainbows and butterflies swirl about the room. Later, she plays “marriage” with boys on her street, gets disgusted administering her first blowjob (”What are those things under his balls?! Dingleberries! Can’t he reach that far when he wipes?!”), loses her virginity and gives in to butt sex. It all sounds prurient, but it’s not pornographic, and MariNaomi is too smart to not slather a layer of knowing humor on top.” Read the Comics Reporter review here. Read the Daily Crosshatch review here. Watch the April 2008 reading of MariNaomi’s “Jackie” from Estrus 5
Reviews of Estrus Comics #4 … “For a laugh, check out MariNaomi’s comic ‘Recipe for Disaster,’ which hits a little too close to home for the culinarily challenged.” “I love getting comix in the mail, especially when they are good, and Estrus Comics by MariNaomi is certainly no exception...While most self exposing autbio comix can be very embarrassing to read and somewhat tedious, filled with nauseating naval gazing, Mari knows this and pokes fun at her own misfortune making for a really entertaining read...I hate the term of a comic being a good one to show to your girlfriend, but its kinda true with this one. The strength is how relate-able her work is. Mari has a great minimal cartoony style, making great use of some solid blacks, and strong inks. For the skeptical reader looking for some kind of artistic comparison to base opinion on, I would say there is definitely a flavour of Mary Fleener, which equals goodness to me. “Also included in this collection, is her story from the Pet Noir anthology, which was actually my fav from the book, so it’s a nice inclusion. Over all, it’s a great self-published collection that promises for more awesomeness in the future.” “MariNaomi avoids going the ‘woe is me’ route while telling stories of her romantic life experiences. Instead, she looks at the humorous and absurd side of love and relationships all the way from kindergarten to present day. The innocence of first kisses, awkward teenage sexual experiences and post 9/11 hippy boyfriends are all covered in the 20 pages that make up the first half of this issue. While she focuses more on the let downs she’s had to endure, you get the feeling that she’s laughing at most of these experiences with you ... All said, Estrus Comics is a fun, well-told comic.” “[Estrus is] a diverse collection of stories, and I highly recommend it.” “The bulk of this comic recounts a handful of author MariNaomi’s romantic mishaps, beginning in kindergarden. Some focus on small amusing moments; others give clipped overviews of an entire relationship. They’re all pretty funny and easy to relate to. As for the art—at its best it is quite terrific, hinting at primitive and Etruscan influences (think Modigliani or, closer David B.)...” “The subject matter—coming-of-age stories about sex and love lost—is quite personal, but somehow universal. Hey, we were all stupid teenagers once.” * * * * * Earlier Reviews of Estrus Comics … “Estrus
3 is ... really thought provoking ... a little heavy and a tad
depressing ... I wonder if I really delved into my psyche if I could
write about this kind of personal material or if I would be too
frightened and retreat back to my more familiar light entertainment.”
- Omnibus of Fun “Mari is ... unafraid to break conventional panel & page layout and does so to fine effect
... Good reading if you enjoy autobiographical comics.” “This
is worth checking out!” MariNaomi’s art and comics have also appeared in the following publications: • Action Girl Comics (issues 15, 16, 17)—Slave Labor Graphics • The Bridge Project—edited by Matt Leunig |
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