Even if you have not seen the new Iron Man movie yet you can be sure that there will be a sequel after 'Iron Man' Proves His Mettle this weekend topping all estimates of its potential at the box office passing $100 milion dollar mark and easily taking the top spot.

Earlier today Marvel Entertainment (NYSE: MVL) reported an increase in earnings from last years first quarter. Net income came in at $45.23 million, compared to $46.84 million last year. However, net earnings were up from $0.54 to $0.58 per share this year.

Last week after seeing a preview of Iron Man I posted Marvel's Iron Man will be HUGE! and it was. This is only the beginning because in addition to more of Iron Man filling the big screen we can look forward to more of Spider-Man, The Hulk, Wolverine, The Punisher 2, Magneto, Namor and many more in script development. Then there is the product licensing too, so it looks like the world will be looking simply Marvel-ous as Billy Chrystal liked saying way back when on Saturday night live.

The comnpany raised it's 2008 earnings per share estimate to the rangeof $1.35 to $1.55 from the $1.30 to $1.50 range. Marvel increased net income guidnace for the year to $104 to $122 million from $100 to $118 million.

The Stock is up $2.25 to $32.50 per share in morning trading.

UPDATE: MVL closed up $2.85 to $33.10.

Sheldon Liber is the CEO of a small private investment company and the principal for design and research at an architecture & planning firm. He writes the columns Chasing Value and Serious Money. Disclosure: I hold no position in MVL as of this writing -- but I am considering buying it