The Bridge

March 19, 2018
Told by prolific superhero scribe Tomasi (Superman: Rebirth) with charmingly understated art by the Eisner-nominated Duvall (Déjá Brew), this historical graphic narrative presents dramatic events in a matter-of-fact, realistic way. The gifted, if self-effacing, young engineer Washington Roebling returns home from the Civil War to join his father, himself an eminent civil engineer, John Roebling, in overseeing the design and construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. John dies before building actually gets underway, forcing an inexperienced Washington to step out from his father’s shadow and take over as chief engineer of the longest suspension bridge in the world. He contends with the machinations of crooked political appointees and often lethal on-site accidents. This conventional narrative shifts when Washington is confined to his home due to complications from a near-fatal case of caisson disease (better known today as the bends), and his wife Emily must serve as his eyes, ears, and voice out in the world. Rather than being a story of a singular genius overcoming adversity, the book is a paean to collaboration. Iconic structures often have fascinating stories behind them, but rarely do the tellings emphasize the human as this one does. Agent: Charlie Olson, InkWell Management.

Starred review from February 1, 2018

In 1865, engineer John Augustus Roebling set out to begin surveying the site of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge with the help of his son Washington. But John would not ever actually participate in its construction, as a fatal accident during a walk on the waterfront pier ultimately takes his life. Thus, the construction and convincing the Bridge Company trustees to put their faith in him now falls to Washington. In 1870, Washington begins to oversee construction of the first caisson. Unfortunately, the road to completing the structure is not without tragedy. Many of the workers die or develop decompression sickness, including Washington, whose illness results in intermittent paralysis and blindness. Enter Emily Roebling, who stands in to represent him to the trustees and at the bridge site as well. The journey for Emily and Washington is a hard one, fraught with doubt, sickness, and, ultimately a bittersweet triumph. Tomasi (House of Penance) brings together a story that depicts the labor of love that is the Brooklyn Bridge, while the drawings of debuter Duvall add a layer of passion through the expressions of characters in every panel. VERDICT With just the right balance of history and drama, this very well-done work keeps readers intrigued right to the end. The overall tension of what Washington and his family experience leaves an intense roller coaster of emotions at the end. Highly recommended. [See "Editors' Spring Picks," p. 31.--Ed.]--Laura McKinley, Huntington P.L., NY

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2018

This graphic novel details the Brooklyn Bridge's construction over the course of more than a decade. John Augustus Roebling and his son Washington shared the ambitious goal of designing a bridge over the East River. When John passed away after an accident on the pier in 1869, Washington single-handedly ran the project. This was only the beginning of a series of challenges, including further accidents and deaths among the work crew, negative press, a scrupulous and difficult board of trustees, and the influence of greedy politicians. When Washington became ill with the bends, his wife, Emily, took over the day-to-day operations overseeing the crew and negotiating with the board of trustees. Duvall's illustrations effectively convey the beauty and utility of the bridge as it came to fruition, as well as Washington and Emily's charged emotions. The art deftly builds excitement even during the calmer scenes, zooming in on the smallest details and back out to the big picture-precisely what Washington and Emily had to do to solve the puzzle of the bridge's construction. VERDICT Those without any background knowledge may find this a challenging read at first, but advanced teen readers with an interest in U.S. history and engineering will appreciate this.-Emily Butler, Deerfield Academy, MA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2018
Tomasi, author of hundreds of comic books and a lifelong New Yorker, and debut graphic-novel illustrator DuVall tell the true story of the creation of the Brooklyn Bridge, an incredible feat that required the superheroic efforts of many. In 1852, young Washington Roebling sketches a bridge over the East River while he and his father, steel wire magnate John Roebling, cross by ferry an East River full of ice floes. As Washington earns an engineering degree and recognition for his innovation and bravery in the Civil War, father and son's shared dream does not diminish. The decades-long process of connecting New York and Brooklyn with the largest suspension bridge yet seen will long outlast John and nearly destroy Washington, too, and would never have been completed without Washington's wife, Emily. DuVall's bright and crisp superhero-style comics artwork easily distinguishes among the characters and perfectly matches Tomasi's impressive text, which balances action and emotion well. Together, they make sense of the complicated work of nineteenth-century bridge-building and concurrent, behind-the-scenes political and boardroom antics.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)