The Bridge: How the Roeblings Connected Brooklyn to New York

by Peter J. Tomasi, Teo DuVall (Illustrator)

Overview

More than 130 years after its completion, the Brooklyn Bridge remains one of the most extraordinary landmarks and symbols of Brooklyn and New York City—and the story behind this architectural marvel is just as extraordinary.

The Brooklyn Bridge was originally designed by John Augustus Roebling, but it was his son, Washington, and his daughter-in-law, Emily, who oversaw the bridge’s construction. As work on the bridge went on, Washington developed caisson disease, leaving him bedridden for the majority of the bridge’s 14-year construction. Washington’s wife, Emily Roebling, took his place running the work site, deftly assuming the role of chief engineer, supervising the project and overseeing the workers, contractors, a hostile press, and greedy city politicians—an unusual position for a woman to take on at the time.

In this inspiring graphic novel, author Peter J. Tomasi and illustrator Teo Duvall show the building of the Brooklyn Bridge as it has never been seen before, and the marriage of the Roeblings—based on intellectual equality and mutual support—that made the construction of this iconic structure possible.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419728525
Publisher:	Abrams ComicArts
Publication date:	04/17/2018
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.50(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Peter J. Tomasi is a former editor at DC Comics and a New York Times bestselling author known for his work on the characters Green Lantern, Batman, Robin, Superman, and Wonder Woman, and various series including Nightwing, The Outsiders, and Batman: Arkham Knight. He lives in New York City.

Sara Duvall is a comics illustrator. Aside from the usual bird things, she also likes space kids, witches, and a good cup of hard cider. The Bridge is her first graphic novel. She lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Editorial Reviews

03/19/2018
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. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"DuVall’s bright and crisp, superhero-style comics artwork easily distinguish among the characters and is a perfect match for Tomasi’s impressive history, which balances action and emotion well. Together, they make sense of the complicated work of nineteenth-century bridge-building and the concurrent behind-the- scenes political and boardroom antics.

Booklist

The Bridge is an epic story of America, told in all its glory and dauntless personal courage, celebrating the perseverance of both Washington Roebling and Emily Roebling, who was one of our unsung women heroes. An enthralling story.

Kevin Baker the Ingenious

The Bridge succeeds in its immediacy, feeling alive and utterly relevant to this moment in history—an epic tale that reminds us of the heights our shared passions can take us. The Bridge will inspire awe and admiration in all who read it. Tomasi and DuVall have truly created a masterful achievement of narrative design.

A.D., Batman, Wytches - Scott Snyder

Hard to believe that a graphic novel about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge could be exciting and as informative as "The Bridge”... The book is a great way to learn history.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Engrossing and surprising.

Watchmen, Kingsmen: Secret Service - Dave Gibbons

An engrossing story of an engineering marvel and the human ingenuity behind it.

Dark Knight III, American Monster, and Moonshine - Brian Azzarello

The Bridge is exactly the type of story we need more of today—hopeful, idealistic, and daring. An epic with a real-world icon at its center built by the heads, hands, and hearts of real world heroes.

Justice League, DC Rebirth, and Doomsday Clock - Geoff Johns

A beautifully rendered work. Aspirational and informative, Tomasi and DuVall push the graphic novel medium into new directions.

Batman Begins, The Dark Knight - David S. Goyer

Tomasi and DuVall’s The Bridge is an amazing piece of historical non-fiction. Wonderfully written and gorgeously illustrated. Full of heart and hope.

Descender, Black Hammer - Jeff Lemire

An iconic landmark beloved by many for its panoramic views of the New York skyline…This beautifully rendered graphic novel, illustrated by Sara Duvall, details how this engineering marvel was brought to fruition.

Shelf Awareness

You'll get some serious New Yorker cred after you read this.

Bustle

A timeless tale of dreams realized. Tomasi’s thrilling true story and DuVall’s wonderful art exude the spirit of imagination, courage, and grit.

Boxers and Saints Gene Luen Yangn Born Chinese

The Bridge meticulously depicts the enormity of the project, from meeting room intrigues to the sometimes perilous construction site...Mr. Tomasi and Ms. DuVall capture many historic moments.

The New York Times

The Brooklyn Bridge is as much a feat of engineering as it is a familiar sight, as this graphic novel by Peter J. Tomasi and illustrator Sara Duvall reminds us.

New York Magazine

What is assembled in this sublime book is more than a mere narrative, but the meeting of two passions; the Roebling family, forgotten by the years, and Tomasi’s own need to tell their story, something which roars and foams from every page.

Lazarus, Black Magick, and Wonder Woman - Greg Rucka

The greatest city’s greatest bridge deserves a great graphic novel, and Peter Tomasi is more than equal to the task.

Preacher, The Boys, War Story - Garth Ennis

"DuVall’s bright and crisp, superhero-style comics artwork easily distinguish among the characters and is a perfect match for Tomasi’s impressive history, which balances action and emotion well. Together, they make sense of the complicated work of nineteenth-century bridge-building and the concurrent behind-the- scenes political and boardroom antics.”—Booklist

“With just the right balance of history and drama, this very well-done work keeps readers intrigued right to the end… Highly recommended.” —Library Journal, Starred Review

“The Brooklyn Bridge is as much a feat of engineering as it is a familiar sight, as this graphic novel by Peter J. Tomasi and illustrator Sara Duvall reminds us.”—New York Magazine

“The Bridge meticulously depicts the enormity of the project, from meeting room intrigues to the sometimes perilous construction site...Mr. Tomasi and Ms. DuVall capture many historic moments.”—The New York Times

“Hard to believe that a graphic novel about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge could be exciting and as informative as "The Bridge”... The book is a great way to learn history.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer

“You'll get some serious New Yorker cred after you read this.”—Bustle

“An iconic landmark beloved by many for its panoramic views of the New York skyline…This beautifully rendered graphic novel, illustrated by Sara Duvall, details how this engineering marvel was brought to fruition.”—Shelf Awareness

“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.”
—Publishers Weekly

“There have been many books written about the bridge, but Tomasi’s The Bridge is likely the first graphic novel. He does a magnificent job of depicting the politics, the danger, and the tenacity of the Roebling family and the hundreds of workers who built the bridge.”—School Library Journal

“A timeless tale of dreams realized. Tomasi’s thrilling true story and DuVall’s wonderful art exude the spirit of imagination, courage, and grit.”—Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese, Boxers and Saints

“Engrossing and surprising.”—Dave Gibbons, Watchmen, Kingsmen: Secret Service

“The greatest city’s greatest bridge deserves a great graphic novel, and Peter Tomasi is more than equal to the task.”—Garth Ennis, Preacher, The Boys, War Story

“Tomasi and DuVall’s The Bridge is an amazing piece of historical non-fiction. Wonderfully written and gorgeously illustrated. Full of heart and hope.”—Jeff Lemire, Descender, Black Hammer

“The Bridge succeeds in its immediacy, feeling alive and utterly relevant to this moment in history—an epic tale that reminds us of the heights our shared passions can take us. The Bridge will inspire awe and admiration in all who read it. Tomasi and DuVall have truly created a masterful achievement of narrative design.”—Scott Snyder, A.D., Batman, Wytches

“The Bridge is an epic story of America, told in all its glory and dauntless personal courage, celebrating the perseverance of both Washington Roebling and Emily Roebling, who was one of our unsung women heroes. An enthralling story.”—Kevin Baker, America the Ingenious

“A beautifully rendered work. Aspirational and informative, Tomasi and DuVall push the graphic novel medium into new directions.”—David S. Goyer, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight

“An engrossing story of an engineering marvel and the human ingenuity behind it.”—Brian Azzarello, Dark Knight III, American Monster, and Moonshine

“What is assembled in this sublime book is more than a mere narrative, but the meeting of two passions; the Roebling family, forgotten by the years, and Tomasi’s own need to tell their story, something which roars and foams from every page.”—Greg Rucka, Lazarus, Black Magick, and Wonder Woman

“The Bridge is exactly the type of story we need more of today—hopeful, idealistic, and daring. An epic with a real-world icon at its center built by the heads, hands, and hearts of real world heroes.”—Geoff Johns, Justice League, DC Rebirth, and Doomsday Clock

From the Publisher

A timeless tale of dreams realized. Tomasi’s thrilling true story and DuVall’s wonderful art exude the spirit of imagination, courage, and grit.

American Born Chinese, Boxers and Saints - Gene Luen Yang

The Bridge is an epic story of America, told in all its glory and dauntless personal courage, celebrating the perseverance of both Washington Roebling and Emily Roebling, who was one of our unsung women heroes. An enthralling story.

America the Ingenious - Kevin Baker

The Bridge meticulously depicts the enormity of the project, from meeting room intrigues to the sometimes perilous construction site...Mr. Tomasi and Ms. DuVall capture many historic moments.

The New York Times

"DuVall’s bright and crisp, superhero-style comics artwork easily distinguish among the characters and is a perfect match for Tomasi’s impressive history, which balances action and emotion well. Together, they make sense of the complicated work of nineteenth-century bridge-building and the concurrent behind-the- scenes political and boardroom antics.

Booklist

“What is assembled in this sublime book is more than a mere narrative, but the meeting of two passions; the Roebling family, forgotten by the years, and Tomasi’s own need to tell their story, something which roars and foams from every page.

Lazarus, BlackMagick, and Wonder Woman - Greg Rucka

“Engrossing and surprising.

Watchmen,Kingsmen: Secret Service - Dave Gibbons

★ 02/01/2018
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

Library Journal

03/01/2018
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

School Library Journal