Meredith and Marvel sign book deal: The Des Moines (Iowa) Register reports that locally based Meredith Corp. has signed a multi-year deal with Marvel Enterprises to produce books based on Captain America, the X-Men and other characters. Meredith, which produced a couple of Spider-Man children's books last year, is a media and marketing company that publishes home, gardening and children's books, as well as magazines like Better Homes and Gardens and Ladies' Home Journal.

Here's Tim Rothwell, president of Marvel's Worldwide Consumer Products Group:

"Their creativity, coupled with their retailer clout, make them perfect to help expand the presence of the Marvel Universe among young kids."