Marvel Entertainment (NYSE: ) is scheduled to report Q2 earnings on Tuesday, August 4.

Marvel Entertainment is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel's strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online.

For Q1 2009, Marvel reported net sales of $197.0 million compared to net sales of $112.6 million in Q1 2008. Net income rose to $44.5 million, or $0.57 per diluted share (better than the analysts’ consensus estimate of $ 0.363 by $0.207 or 57.02%), from $45.2 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, in Q1 2008. The year-on-year increase in net sales was principally the result of $90.4 million in film production segment revenues associated with The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man feature films released in Q2 2008 and also reflects a stronger than anticipated licensing contribution in Q1 2009. Q1 2008 benefited from $19 million in settlement payments from two licensees. Marvel’s price rose $0.07 to $33.09 two days after the first quarter results announcement.

Analysts’ estimates for the quarter ended June 2009 (Q2) range from a low of $0.24 to a high of $0.43, with a consensus of $0.312. That is the second quarter earnings are going to be lower than the previous quarter.

For the quarter ending June 2009, the consensus EPS forecast has remained the same over the past week at $0.312 and remained the same over the past month at $0.312. Of the 19 analysts making quarterly forecasts, 1 raised and none lowered their forecast. For Q2 2009, Marvel is likely to report net sales of $135 million and net income of $30.5 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, compared to $0.59 per diluted share, in Q2 2008. In the first quarter Marvel's licensing business struggled, posting a 31 percent drop in earnings. Since then the licensing business hasn’t shown any sign of improvement. Comic Book sales have taken a hit due to the recession and are languishing.

For the year ending December 2009, the consensus EPS forecast has increased over the past week from $1.346 to $1.347 (0.07%) and increased over the past month from $1.346 to $1.347 (0.07%). Of the 20 analysts making yearly forecasts, 1 raised and none lowered their forecast.

The release date of 'Thor' has now been rescheduled to June 17, 2011. The previous release date for this Marvel comic-based character film was July 16, 2010. However, the release date for 'Iron Man 2', the sequel to 'Iron Man', currently remains unchanged at May 7, 2010. 'Iron Man' grossed about $600 million worldwide. Currently, the stock is trading at $39.56 (19x 2010 EPS), compared to the 52 week range of $22.82-$40.48. The stock is likely to set a new 52 week high in the remainder of 2009.