Marvel has granted licenses to four major book publishers for mass market books based on Marvel characters, with initial products slated for release in Q1 2005.

The Big Two comic publishers have each announced an exclusive creator signing.

Marvel has released its book schedule for the first five months of 2005, and it includes 92 titles in hardcover and paper combined.

Marvel has sued seeking to prevent Disney from assuming the copyrights to Marvel characters.

Marvel updated its schedule of movies based on its characters in its third quarter report, released last week.

Marvel Enterprises and Jakks Pacific have expanded their licensing relationship to include new toy categories and properties.

Bates' topic this week is making money on the biggest characters there are.

Marvel has signed a multi-year licensing deal with construction toy manufacturer Mega Bloks, Inc., which will enable the Montreal-based toy company to create a comprehensive line of toy products featuring Marvel superheroes.

Incredible Hulk producer Gale Anne Hurd is joining with Scott Mitchell Rosenberg's Platinum Studios to produce a feature film, Atlantis Rising , which is based on the Platinum Studios' graphic novel Atlantis .

The Meredith Corporation has signed a multi-year deal with Marvel Enterprises to develop and publish a portfolio of children's books.