Local writer captures hometown history in comic book

The Albany, N.Y. Times Union profiles Amy Halloran, who is writing a graphic novel about the city of Troy, N.Y.:

She is collecting oral histories of life before the Hoosick Street bridge over the Hudson River was built in 1980, effectively severing the city in two. A writer, she plans to work with young graphic artists to tell those tales.

"I'm very interested in how it's changed the neighborhood," said Halloran, a 10th Street resident. "It was an age marker, when you could cross Hoosick Street on your own. Now it's a complete barrier: You cross it and risk your life."

Halloran wanted to record and share for posterity tales she'd heard about people sledding down the street before the bridge was there. Rather than simply collect them, she thought a comic book fit what she called the bridge's "grotesque" appearance.

She also wanted to share the history in a way that would connect with younger readers. "Comics appeal to kids, and I want to get them interested in it now before all their neighbors' memories are gone," she said.