The Bridge: How the Roeblings Connected Brooklyn to New York

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.