by Who HQ
First published 2025
Jacques Cousteau stands at the edge of the Mediterranean, dreaming of exploring the underwater world that has captivated him since childhood. The French naval officer faces a dangerous problem: existing diving equipment limits how deep and how long humans can stay beneath the surface. Cousteau teams up with engineer Émile Gagnan to create something new. Together they experiment with compressed air systems and breathing apparatus designs. Their friendship drives them through failed prototypes and near disasters as they work to perfect their invention. Cousteau combines his love of tinkering with his passion for filmmaking and the sea. The Aqua-Lung they develop will allow divers to breathe safely at greater depths for extended periods. This graphic novel follows Cousteau's journey from curious naval officer to underwater pioneer, showing how determination and collaboration can solve seemingly impossible challenges.
Genres: biography, history, science, 20th-century, adventure, non-fiction
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: collaboration, determination
Setting: Mediterranean, France
Period: 20th-century
64 pages · Paperback · Penguin Workshop