Sales in Marvel’s publishing segment declined 4% in the first quarter, to $26.5 million principally due to the timing of major publishing initiatives, the company reported this morning. Sales reflected a decline in comic book sales within the direct channel and lower advertising and custom sales, offset in part by continued strong growth in the mass market channel. The decline in direct channel sales is mainly due to strong sales of high profile titles Civil War and The Death of Captain America last year. Operating income declined 14%, to $9.9 million in with an operating margin of approximately 37% compared to approximately 42% in last year’s first quarter. Based on its planned slate of publishing initiatives, including the release of the Secret Invasion series in late in the second quarter, Marvel said it expects its publishing segment to return to traditional margins for the full year.