Welcome to our exclusive spotlight…
In this feature, we interview people in the comic book industry who are making an impact with what they do, beyond just making comics.
For episode four, I spoke with Gamal Hennessy, Esq. – an attorney, author, and business consultant with expertise in comic book publishing and IP licensing.
He operates Creative Contract Consulting – a boutique legal practice specializing in comic book publishing, entertainment law, and intellectual property licensing. He is a recognized expert in the comic book industry with over two decades of experience serving a lengthy list of clients, including Marvel, Mad Cave Studios, GlobalComix, Zoop, and more.
He is the author of The Business of Independent Comic Book Publishing (which exceeded its crowdfunding goal by 600% in 2020) as well as the follow-up The Business of Freelance Comic Book Publishing. He is also the co-founder of Comics Connection (comicsconnection.net), which gives creators a community to elevate their comic book careers.
He also serves as an instructor and mentor with Comics Experience (comicsexperience.com). And you can be up-to-date with business news within the comic book industry with The Professional Comics Creator newsletter.
Time to listen to the interview!
“Whatcha Doin’ in Comics?” – Ep. 4 w/ Gamal Hennessy
Special thanks to Gamal for sitting down with us and sharing what he’s doin’ in comics. Be sure to follow Gamal on his socials (links below) and visit Creative Contract Consulting (creativecontractconsulting.com), Comics Experience (comicsexperience.com), and Comics Connection (comicsconnection.net) for more about Gamal and what he provides.
Thanks for listening and watch for our next episode spotlighting Ray-Anthony Height!
About Gamal Hennessy:
I am an experienced entertainment transactions attorney with an expertise in comic book publishing and comic IP licensing. During my career, I’ve represented major corporate clients including AfterShock, Amazon, Mad Cave, and Marvel, as well as individual creators and small publishers.
In 2002, Marvel brought me in to handle their new international publishing department. My main function was helping Marvel break into the Japanese market, but I also initiated, negotiated, drafted, and managed compliance for international licenses associated with Marvel entertainment IP.
After Marvel, I launched my own practice to serve independent IP creators and freelance artists with their business development, contracts, and licensing issues. I’ve given lectures with the American Bar Association, The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and New York Law School. My clients also include technology startups including GlobalComix and Zoop.
In 2020, I published a book called The Business of Independent Comic Book Publishing as a comprehensive guide on the business and legal aspects of the independent comic book industry. I am currently working on the follow-up book, The Business of Freelance Comic Book Publishing, which is scheduled for publication in the Fall of 2023. Finally, I started an online community of comic book creators called Comics Connection working to create viable business models for their intellectual property.