It is not the most obvious candidate to be a graphic novel – but, claim the authors, the history of the Co-operative movement and the outstanding radicalism of its 28 Rochdale Pioneers is every bit as thrilling as a story of superheroes.
The Co-op is publishing The Co-operative Revolution to tell the story of a movement that now employs more than 100 million people across the world, but which began in east Lancashire back in 1844.
The financial crisis has been an undoubted spur, says the Co-operative's head of social goals, Paul Monaghan: "We thought, if this is not our moment, that if we don't get out there and be a little more assertive, then what do we deserve?"
He wants the movement's story to be much better known. "These people were the Occupy movement of the day, but they were more radical than Occupy. They did something deeply practical, which spread round the world. What these people did back then, with the little that they had, shows what is possible."
The people he is talking about are known as the Rochdale Pioneers, the 28 men who came up with the principles co-ops around the world follow to this day. It's a thrilling story set against the backdrop of grinding poverty and hunger as well as events such as the Peterloo massacre, in 1819, in which police killed six people and badly injured 600.
"There is this picture of them as 28 northern men, with cloth caps, concerned about the provision of clean, cheap, unadulterated food for the masses. But they were about so much more than that," said Monaghan. "These were deeply radical, revolutionary individuals, and we want that side of the story to come through as well."
The book, created by the graphic novelist Polyp, tells the history of the pioneers, and imagines a future in 2044 – after "the Co-op Spring" – with Rochdale's new pioneers launching a mission to Mars.
In another section, it shows just how many co-operatives there are around the world: everything from the Green Bay Packers American football team, to Ocean Spray soft drinks to Barcelona football club.
Monaghan said: "It is a little known fact that there are more people who work in co-ops then there are who work in all the world's multinationals put together. There are almost 1 billion people who are members of co-ops, and they are an enormous part of the global economy.
"People, particularly at the moment, are open to the idea of co-operation and mutuality again like they never were before."
Monaghan said the co-operative economy had increased by 20% since the financial crash of 2009. "It is filling some of the gaps left by traditional capitalism."
He said everyone involved in the project had been motivated by the "passion and the creativity" of the pioneers. "It makes us feel humbled, that we've got to do our little bit.
"We will be looking at sending free copies to schools, primaries and secondaries. We want schools to teach the co-operative model because we think it has got so much to offer."
Besides the graphic novel, a film has been made by the Co-operative British Youth Film Academy that is due to be shown on Film4 later this year, and an exhibition of photographs telling the story of the pioneers and the movement opened in Birmingham last week. It can be seen at Centenary Way Bridge until 27 October.
A rocket from Rochdale: Co-op tells its story in graphic novel form | Business | The Guardian
The Co-op is publishing The Co-operative Revolution to tell the story of a movement that now employs more than 100 million people across the world, but which began in east Lancashire back in 1844.
The financial crisis has been an undoubted spur, says the Co-operative's head of social goals, Paul Monaghan: "We thought, if this is not our moment, that if we don't get out there and be a little more assertive, then what do we deserve?"
He wants the movement's story to be much better known. "These people were the Occupy movement of the day, but they were more radical than Occupy. They did something deeply practical, which spread round the world. What these people did back then, with the little that they had, shows what is possible."
The people he is talking about are known as the Rochdale Pioneers, the 28 men who came up with the principles co-ops around the world follow to this day. It's a thrilling story set against the backdrop of grinding poverty and hunger as well as events such as the Peterloo massacre, in 1819, in which police killed six people and badly injured 600.
"There is this picture of them as 28 northern men, with cloth caps, concerned about the provision of clean, cheap, unadulterated food for the masses. But they were about so much more than that," said Monaghan. "These were deeply radical, revolutionary individuals, and we want that side of the story to come through as well."
The book, created by the graphic novelist Polyp, tells the history of the pioneers, and imagines a future in 2044 – after "the Co-op Spring" – with Rochdale's new pioneers launching a mission to Mars.
In another section, it shows just how many co-operatives there are around the world: everything from the Green Bay Packers American football team, to Ocean Spray soft drinks to Barcelona football club.
Monaghan said: "It is a little known fact that there are more people who work in co-ops then there are who work in all the world's multinationals put together. There are almost 1 billion people who are members of co-ops, and they are an enormous part of the global economy.
"People, particularly at the moment, are open to the idea of co-operation and mutuality again like they never were before."
Monaghan said the co-operative economy had increased by 20% since the financial crash of 2009. "It is filling some of the gaps left by traditional capitalism."
He said everyone involved in the project had been motivated by the "passion and the creativity" of the pioneers. "It makes us feel humbled, that we've got to do our little bit.
"We will be looking at sending free copies to schools, primaries and secondaries. We want schools to teach the co-operative model because we think it has got so much to offer."
Besides the graphic novel, a film has been made by the Co-operative British Youth Film Academy that is due to be shown on Film4 later this year, and an exhibition of photographs telling the story of the pioneers and the movement opened in Birmingham last week. It can be seen at Centenary Way Bridge until 27 October.
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