Strong sales in toys and clothing related to "Spider-Man 3" helped it to record net income of $36.3 million in the third quarter, up from $13.2 million in the same quarter last year.
Revenue rose 34% to $123.6 million, smashing Wall Street estimates of just $91 million. Licensing sales, which more than doubled from last year, was at $66 million with $24.2 million coming from the "Spider-Man" franchise.
Publishing sales were also strong, driven by "World War Hulk" and Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series.
Among films Marvel is developing itself, it has completed principal photography on "Iron Man" scheduled for release May 2 and has commenced principal photography on "The Incredible Hulk," set for release June 13.
As for movies from other studios though based on Marvel characters, "Punisher 2" from Lionsgate is in principal photography and slated for release next year and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" from Fox is slated for May 1, 2009.
Marvel also has stage-play "Spider-Man the Musical" in development with music from U2's Bono and the Edge, and has "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk" video games targeted for next year from Sega.
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