We’re big fans of David Robertson (Fred Egg Comics), we’ve featured him and his work on the site before – including as an invited guest on TALKIN’ CON: A CUP O’ TEA… – and we’re proud to share his latest project with you: an ambitious work, dealing with a fascinating subject of English history. David brings you, in comic form, the story of THE TAY BRIDGE DISASTER, a comic which is already completed but now turns to Kickstarter to cover publication costs, here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fredeggcomics/the-tay-bridge-disaster
DAVID: This will be a collection of newspaper-style strips regarding the fall of the Tay Bridge in 1879. I grew up in Dundee, and have always been fascinated by this event. The strips cover many aspects of the story, including the build-up to the bridge’s completion, including fears expressed in the media regarding its safety, and accidents during the building. The first trains to cross the bridge, and the disaster itself in December 1879. The aftermath, including the effect on designer Thomas Bouch, the recovery of the 224 engine, and the decision to rebuild. The event’s depiction in the arts and media; Theodor Fontane and William McGonnagall’s poems, newspaper printing’s improvements affecting illustrations of the disaster, Walter Benjamin’s radio show, C.Horne’s ballad, and Hatter’s Castle, the novel and film which both depicted the disaster. Finally, we see the names of the victims on the current day memorials.
I have been working on this comic book for a few years, and have only launched a Kickstarter now that all the artwork is complete. The book is essentially finished. The video shows proof and how the item will look…
