ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. This book aims with the combination of diverse texts in it: that legal studies embrace the medium of comics as a real and significant critical resource and object. It then gives brief collection of examples of how comics can contribute to legal debate in a number of areas, from doctrinal copyright law, to legal ethics, education, public discourse, and legal philosophy. Beyond form and content, even beyond broad cultural significance, Kim Barker examines the comics form from a very legal perspective. The chapter also considers one of the most prominent themes apparent in graphic fiction: crime and criminal justice. Finally, it takes on a distinctly international flavour, focusing on questions of international law, global justice, and human rights atrocities. Chris Comerford kicks off by pointing out the connections between Barak Obama and Batman, specifically in terms of their deployment of Agamben's state of exception.
