Welcome to PopCultHQ & PodCultHQ‘s
exclusive spotlight “Whatcha Doin’ in Comics?”
In this feature by PopCultHQ (and our official podcast – PodCultHQ), 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 at PodCultHQ 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!
If you are doin’ something in comics and would like to appear on our podcast, hit us up via email: iwantonyourshow@podculthq.com.
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.
About PodCultHQ:
PodCultHQ is PopCultHQ’s official podcast. Maintained & managed by Jason Bennett, PodCultHQ is a feature-filled, ear candy of content highlighting the comic book, cosplay, and convention communities.
You can expect exclusive interviews with comic book creators, previous video features returning in audio format (“Pants Optional” Zoom interviews), crowdfunding promotions (“Just Kickin’ It!“), a deeper dive into the comic book world (“Industry Insider“), unpublished material finally seeing the light of day (“From the Vault“), plus so much more. And, of course, idle chatter.
And be on the lookout for some new, fun & exciting, outside-the-box shows, including a talk show, a weekend wrapup broadcast, and an amateur rap competition for comic creators where you, the fans, can vote for your favorite each week through our toll-free number! Crazy, right? Yeah, we question our sanity a lot of times. Every now and then, it replies.
Celebrate your fandom with us… audibly!
About Jason Bennett:
Jason Bennett (@TahoeJBennett) is a contributing writer & the chief editor for PopCultHQ. As a team member since PopCultHQ’s inception in February of 2015, Jason has written over 11,000 articles covering all aspects of pop culture. He established relationships with many of the comic book publishers with whom we work on a regular basis. Whether sharing news from the comic book industry, conducting spoiler-free reviews, interviewing creators, or working with publicity reps, he is dedicated in promoting those within the comic book scene, giving people a platform to share their projects, as well as always seeking to find ways in which PopCultHQ can grow and improve. Jason also attends comic conventions, representing PopCultHQ as a member of the press, and can often be seen at conventions up and down the west coast.
