Marvel Entertainment Inc. (MVL), a character-based entertainment company engaged in the licensing, publishing and film production businesses, recently reported third-quarter 2009 results. The quarterly earnings of 26 cents a share bettered the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 24 cents but fell sharply by 59.4% from 64 cents delivered in the prior-year quarter. Total revenue also tumbled 42.1% year-on-year to $105.7 million. The fall in both the top and bottom lines was due to lower licensing and film production revenues. Licensing revenue slipped 15.8% to $48.9 million, whereas film production revenue dipped 72.5% to $24.8 million. While no films were released in the reported quarter, the year-ago quarter benefited from the releases of Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, in addition to its Spider-Man merchandising joint venture. Marvel is slated to release four films ahead: Iron Man 2 in 2010, Thor and The First Avenger: Captain America ...