About the Book

New York Public Library “Spring 2025 Picks for Teens”

Five hundred years ago, in an age marked by war, plague, inequality, and religious coercion, there were people across Europe who dared to imagine a society of sharing, peace, and freedom of conscience. These radicals were ready to die for their vision. They were executed by the thousands – by water, by fire, and by sword – in both Catholic and Protestant states. Their stories come to life in this graphic novel series that dramatically recreates a little-known chapter in the history of the Reformation.

By Water is a true story of friendship and betrayal set in the Swiss city of Zurich. It chronicles the conflict between establishment reformer Ulrich Zwingli (1484–1531) and his student Felix Manz (1498–1527), who at first reveres Zwingli as a father figure but ends up drowned on Zwingli’s orders for insisting that only adult believers should be baptized. In this dramatic visualization of the birth of the Radical Reformation, water is both wonder and weapon, a symbol of new life and a death sentence.

This action-packed, historically accurate account of young people standing up for their convictions against the corrupt political and religious leaders of their day will awaken courage and commitment in young readers today.

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Praise

Landsel and his team breathe new life into a high-stakes tale that can come across as dusty and distant if left to the realm of history books. The tone and word choices are appropriate for most teens – and most adults – though they carry an edge that makes sense for a story of life and death.

Anabaptist World

By Water is a book driven by its art. From manuscript illuminations to woodcuts and portraiture, many of the images and scenes are drawn from real pieces from the 16th century. ...I found By Water to be a delight.

Christian Century

Tense, compelling, and informative … in an exciting narrative style that delivers information as a seamless part of the action. … A remarkable graphic novel.

Foreword Reviews

A lesser-known chapter in the history of Protestantism, the story of Felix Manz is an absorbing journey of enlightenment, rebellion, and sacrifice. … The art by Banerjee is gorgeous; evocative of illuminated manuscripts, stained glass, and the mosaics that make up the medieval art of the age.

School Library Journal

An ambitious biography – in graphic-novel style – of an early Anabaptist martyr. Intriguing watercolors – evocative of both Hieronymus Bosch and 1970s pop art – precede the opening pages. … The chapters that follow use accessible language and abundant visual cues in softly colored, action-packed art. Other historical figures come into play as Manz journeys from eager university student to zealous reformer to renegade leading an intentional Christian pacifist community. Under penalty of death, Manz refuses to stop performing adult baptisms – considered heretical – and he utters some of Jesus’ final words as he dies.

Kirkus Reviews

Visually arresting … The Felix Manz story could have easily devolved into a dense, boring history lesson. Instead, it's a stylishly dynamic exploration of a tempestuous internal life… An urgent and relevant saga.

Comic Book Couples Counseling

The story is a compelling, often underexplored slice of history that the creative shines a brilliant and thoughtful light upon.

AIPT Comics

Opens a fascinating window into the Reformation, not only as a period of great religious upheaval, but also as the growing pangs of a society struggling to emerge from the past.

Mark Russell, Eisner Award-winning author, Not All Robots and My Bad

Tablet of Contents

Tags:
Anabaptists
Witness