Hasbro Posts Strong 1st Quarter

2008 New York Comic Con coverage brought to you by BigBadToyStore.com, PremierCollect.com and HobbyLinkJapan.com.

For a great selection of fan-favorite action figures and collectibles, check the fine sponsors above as well as BriansToys.com, CornerStoreComics.com, ToyWiz.com, StatueToys.com, Urban-Collector.com, Elm Street Online, WhiteWizardToys.com,ToyRocket.com,CineQuest.com, HEO.com, MonkeyDepot.com, MayBang.com, AmokTime.com, Alter Ego Comics, RPMDiecast.com and MonsterIslandToys.com.

For a great selection of pop culture t-shirts and apparel, check out TShirtGurus.com and 80sTees.com.

Thanks to strong performances from Tranformers, Star Wars, Littlest Pet Shop and board games, Hasbro posted 13% growth in net revenues for 1st quarter 2008, with the "boys" category growing 29% for the quarter, up 38% from the previous year. Part of the growth which occurred was also attributed to the sales of Marvel products, which performed very well. Iron Man product in particular has done well, as Hasbro CEO Al Verrechia stated, "initial sales of our Iron Man product,... have been above expectations.”

The success of Iron Man product has already begun to generate inquiry and predictions about Hasbro's upcoming goods from The Incredible Hulk and how they will compare--particularly with negative buzz around the film. Hasbro COO Brian Goldner was confident in the line and stated, interestingly, that "what goes on in Hollywood really doesn’t affect the overall impact of our toy line,” a surprising revelation for fans who often connect the success of toys to the films on which they are based. Goldner also made an interesting assessment of the overall Hasbro Boys product catalog, by stating that despite the launch of Iron Man, Hulk, and Indiana Jones: KOTCS, “the biggest properties of the year will continue to be Transformers, Spider-Man and Star Wars.”

For more in-depth info, check out the following link, at ICV2.com