Both of America's two largest book retailers announced Q1 profits this week, comparing favorably to losses for both companies in the same period last year.

Toys R' Us, the nation's number 2 toy retailer, reported that same store sales declined by 5.6% during the first quarter of 2004.

Fresh from a triumphant screening at the Cannes Film Festival, Shrek 2 will open wide on Wednesday.

Barnes & Noble is soliciting advance orders on the Ultimate Spider-Man Collection, a 992-page hardcover.

Joliet Pattern, Inc., will be supplying a choice of two banners to help retailers promote FCBD this year.

Gail Burt of Metropolis Comics in Downey, California saw Steve Nemackay's comments on variant covers and sent us her thoughts on the issues he raised.

Robert Scott of Comickaze in San Diego, California saw our recent coverage of Hellboy , Punisher , and Free Comic Book Day, and feels that comics just need more marketing support to be a lot more successful.

Corbit Wilkins of Captain Comics in Boise, Idaho saw our coverage of variant covers and feels that there are more important factors that can affect sales.

Only one day after announcing that a Spider-Man 2 promotion at Major League Baseball parks would involve Spider-Man logos on the bases, that aspect of the promotion has been scrapped.

Marvel has announced that it's consolidating its licenses in the domestics category with Jay Franco & Sons, Inc.