The turmoil of the Great Depression galvanized Canadians to rise up and fight for improved labour conditions, social equality and universal healthcare. In the frontier city of Calgary, Holly Burnside and Brian Mah get involved with the founding of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, the first national party dedicated to the needs of workers and farmers.

Set amidst the riotous times of the Great Depression, 1st Legion of Utopia explores the forces surrounding the founding of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), the trail blazing party of first female Member of Parliament Agnes Macphail and Tommy Douglas, the leader most instrumental in Canada adopting what has become one of our defining policies - public health care. The CCF went on to become the modern day NDP.

Free study guide available.

James Davidge was born in Edmonton, Alberta and studied mathematics education at the University of Calgary. His first novel, Driftwood Ellesmere, was published in 2006 by Bayeux Arts. He has since released the four remaining novels that complete the Driftwood Saga, a series about a young girl who tries to save the world using heartfelt magic. James has released two graphic novels with Edmonton artist Bob Prodor; The Duchess Ranch of Old John Ware recounts the inspirational legend of a respected black cowboy from Calgary's frontier history; Thirteen Minutes is a 20th century fable about the Alberta Eugenics Board, the Dadaist art movement and the short-lived Prairie Hockey League. James released My Modern Panic in 2012 - a collection of short comic and prose stories that playfully yet thoughtfully address various social issues. It features illustrations by many great Canadian artists including Fiona Staples, Nick Johnson and Judd Palmer. James also writes an ongoing comic series entitled Mathemagick that is illustrated by his cousin, Vancouver animator Jesse Davidge. An active founding board member of the Old Trout Puppet Workshop, James teaches at the Willow Park School for Arts-Centred Learning and lives just outside of Calgary with his wife and daughter.