Marvel issued its annual report on Friday, and although the key financial results had previously been released (see 'Marvel Beats Estimates for 2002'), some interesting information appeared in the details.  The portion of Marvel's single copy sales attributed to the direct market dropped from 89% in 2001 to 84% last year, as the percentage attributed to mass market accounts increased to about 16% from 11% in 2001, due to increased book business.

 

Marvel's licensing business increased in all of its categories, to $11,346,000 in revenue to Marvel from apparel and accessories, $39,529,000 in revenue from entertainment (including studios, themed attractions, and electronic games), $24,477,000 in revenue from toys (Marvel now licenses its toys rather than producing them itself), and $4,210,000 in revenues from other categories. 

 

In its toy business, Marvel continues to do about 2/3 of its business to the big five retailers -- Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, Toys R Us, and Kay-Bee.

 

Marvel also provided some details on the settlement of its suit with Fox over Mutant X (see 'Mutant X Suit Settled').   Under the terms of the settlement, Marvel gave Fox more time to exercise its rights in the X-Men, Daredevil, and Fantastic Four properties.   Marvel also expanded its relationship with Fox under which the companies will negotiate up to three film and TV deals for additional Marvel properties during the next two years.