Q&A with graphic novel author and University of Oklahoma business professor Jeremy Short

University of Oklahoma professor Jeremy Short wanted to express the dynamism of business in a more exciting way than a traditional textbook.  His solution was to create graphic novels to explore business concepts. His first graphic novel, “Atlas Black: Managing to Succeed,” followed two guys starting their own business. “Managing to Succeed” was written by Black with co-authors Dave Ketchen and Talya Bauer with illustrator Len Simon.  Friday’s Weekend Look contains an article about Short’s work, but there were some questions we weren’t able to fit into the print article.  Check out Jeremy Short’s answers past the cut, and check out the first chapter of “Atlas Black: Managing to Succeed” online here.

Matt Price: How did this project get started?

Jeremy Short: I think it really began with a life-long feeling that we can do a better job educating students with materials other than traditional textbooks.  My area of expertise is management – it’s a subject that is inherently interesting and shows like The Office, The Apprentice, Shark Tank and movies like Office Space demonstrate the widespread interest in business and business education. And, the material we cover in classes is fascinating too. But most textbooks take this excellent material and make is snooze-inducing while ‘Dummies’ type books lack the rigor and concepts that are often most important.

A few years back I noticed that there started to be this format geared for older students that was essentially a movie or TV show in comic format. So, I thought about creating my own ‘graphic novel’ following two guys starting their own business. Since the first book – Atlas Black: Managing to Succeed – was published, I’ve completed three other graphic novels and I’m working on another now.