Where Comics Meet the Law
Henry Ford and the Dodge Brothers, who were involved in a major business and legal dispute in the early 1900s, are brought to life through images using an innovative medium for this context — the comic book. This is just one of the many cases that Marco Ventoruzzo, Full Professor of Corporate Law at Bocconi University, has transformed into comic book form for his International Management students to help them clearly understand various aspects taught in the classroom in a fun way. He landed on this teaching approach despite “never being a lifelong comics aficionado,” he made sure to point out.
US Law as a Source of Inspiration
“It was an idea that I came up with while spending time in the US, whose legal tradition is rich in cases and insights that lend themselves well to being presented in this way,” explains Ventoruzzo. “Take, for example, all the cases concerning ESG issues. In Europe, a more “subdued” approach is common, while in the US these topics are highly polarized and extreme. Therefore, they are better suited for adaptation into comics, although there is nothing stopping us from trying to do the same with European cases in the future.” It is a new method that aims to simplify — rather than trivialize — but which nevertheless requires careful work. “Thorough research must be conducted on the historical facts, as well as on who said what,” continues Ventoruzzo. “As for the comic book itself, it is actually quite quick to produce thanks to artificial intelligence.” It is also fun, one might add. “One of the things that I also definitely enjoy is including colleagues, especially Americans, in the stories in connection with the positions they have taken or books they have written,” he adds. “I notify them of my work, and they generally find it quite amusing to see themselves depicted in the comics.”
Alternative Teaching Methods Complement, Rather Than Replace, Traditional Ones
It is, therefore, an additional effective tool for simplifying concepts — one that meets students’ demands for alternative, innovative teaching methods. “I am in favor of innovation in the educational field, and in general of more interactive teaching methods over more traditional lectures. This is also a relevant topic at Bocconi. However, we must not go overboard in trying to meet every request because there are technical concepts, information and methods that must be learned in the traditional way, without any frills or gimmicks. This is quite different from the kind of ‘superficial knowledge’ that carries a negative connotation.”
Seeing Helps Us Remember
“Comics are a particularly effective tool,” says Flavia Gatto, a 22-year-old CEMS student. She continues: “Presenting cases through visual storytelling makes it easier to grasp the facts and context, especially when dealing with different legal systems. In particular, role-playing helps students better retain the cases’ key points and underlying legal principles, making the lesson much more dynamic and engaging. At the same time, I believe their value lies precisely in the fact that they serve as a tool to supplement the professor’s explanations as they facilitate an initial understanding; yet they must be accompanied by a more in-depth and technical analysis to ensure a full grasp of the subject matter. Overall, I consider them an excellent example of innovative teaching, capable of making a complex subject like commercial law more accessible and engaging.”