Spidey boosts Marvel in 2007

Marvel's fourth-quarter and year-end results got a big boost from the company's flagship character, thanks to revenues related to the "Spider-Man 3" licensing juggernaut. The company's full report can found online here, and below are some relevant bits:

Marvel’s Publishing Segment net sales increased $1.7 million or 6% to $30.3 million in Q4 2007
principally due to continued strength in the Direct and Mass Market channels and the benefit of
special event publishing such as World War Hulk and Stephen King’s Dark Tower series.
Operating income in the publishing segment also rose 6% on a year-over-year basis to $12.3
million in Q4 2007 with a comparable operating margin of approximately 41%.

(snip)

Marvel’s Film Production segment operating losses increased to $3.1 million for Q4 2007,
compared to $2.2 million in Q4 2006, reflecting the expanded staffing of our studio operation. Film
Production Segment operating costs consist primarily of employee compensation and the expenses
associated with a portion of the Marvel Studios office in California.

Among the changes in the company's entertainment plans: the "Punisher: War Zone" pic is set for release Sept. 12; an "Iron Man" toon is in development for a spring release, while "Wolverine and the X-Men" is pushed back to 2009, along with a "Hulk" toon and a "Super Hero Squad" show. The slate for the direct-to-DVD toons the company is doing in partnership with Lionsgate not includes "Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow" in August, "Hulk Vs. ... " in January, a "Thor" feature for September 2009 and "Planet Hulk" in 2010.