Marvel reported declining sales in the first quarter of 2008. The actual number, $26.5 million, is down 4%, and due mostly to the timing of major publishing initiatives. There were declines in comic book sales, but strong growth in the mass market segment. Operating income was down 14% to $9.9 million, with an operating margin of approximately 37% (versus approximately 42% in the first quarter of 2007). The company expects the publishing segment to come back to its traditional margins for the full year, based in part on the upcoming release of the Secret Invasion series.
The film segment, however, was flying with Iron Man‘s second-based non-sequel film debut ever. The movie brought in more than $100 million in domestic box office receipts during its opening weekend; worldwide box office was in excess of $200 million.
The company’s full report and plans are available as this nine-page pdf file.