After a long search in several comic bookstores and online stores, you managed to acquire the most important comic books of all your favorite heroes. Well, almost all of them! Some rare and important editions are still missing from your collection. The first appearance of your favorite villain, that special edition that influenced a generation of story lines, the spetacular debut of the new uniform, the memorable confrontation with the archenemy and the valuable number one! You already know where to find them and you also know that you are not the only one in search of these precious gems. Will you be able to collect all the comics needed to be recognized as the greatest collector of all time?
Comic Hunters is divided into three rounds. In each round, players will visit three of the four locations where they can purchase Comic Book Cards. At the end of the round, players must place cards on the table to start or expand their collections. When adding a comic to a hero's collection, the player will move his markers on the icon tracks according to the Spotlight Icons of the new card in play (Number 1, First Appearance, New Visual, Special Edition and Memorable Clashes.). The further the player advances on each track, the more points he or she may get. In addition, each collection scores based on the number of cards it contains. After three rounds the player with most points is acclaimed as the greatest comic book collector of all time and wins the game!
-description from designer
- unique multi-game package
- thematic and dense enough for fans of comics
- components criticized as problematic by players
- superhero/action
- comic-book heist/adventure theme
- over-the-top and energetic
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- auction/bidding — bid for card selection and access to powerful combos.
- drafting — draft comic-themed cards to build your tableau.
- multi-game design — the box contains multiple game modes interacting in one title.
- tableau building — arrange drafted cards to form a strategic tableau.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Rock Hard 1977 is my top game of 2024 right now
- Flip seven is a Wonder to behold
- the gang is awesome
- it's Texas hold em but cooperative
- Pixies very small box
References (from this video)
- strong IP pull; engages fans of comics
- thematic appeal may be limited for non-comic fans
- license/IP-based drafting; team-up feel
- comic book drafting; character-driven
- nostalgia and fanservice-driven
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting / card payment — draft cards and use them to pay for others
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Number 50 for me is a Vital Lerta game. A big cool thematic experience about what happens after a heist. This is Escape Plan.
- Invincible is my number 50.
- San Juan's one of my favorites; I love how those buildings synergize with crops and selling them.
- Spectral is one of those deduction games where you're just trying to avoid the curse and getting gems out there.
- This is one of those classic polyomino games. My favorite in the genre. This is Baron Park.
- Twilight Inscription is infinitely expandable.
- Adrenaline is a bit of everything: euro, shooter vibe, and tense last-hits moments.
- Robinson Crusoe—cooperative survival with fantastic stories.
References (from this video)
- Original Marvel comic book covers as cards
- Multiple auction styles
- Impressive licensing
- May not work well as 2-player auction game
- Marvel comic books
- Superheroes
- Comic history
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This is literally you will find no better example in all of board gamedom the idea of board games actually changing lives
- This game is absolutely phenomenal
- This might be my game of the year
- The best game I have played so far in 2024
- I have not found a tile lane game this tension filled since Calico
- Board games are about living good happy fulfilling lives
- Elf Creek games has consistently the highest quality production board game period in the industry
References (from this video)
- IP appeal
- accessible for families
- visual component appeal
- component quality concerns noted by players
- IP-driven cooperative exploration and deduction
- Comic-book IP-based adventure
- story-light, accessible
- Mass Effect
- Zoomies
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative/team play — Players cooperate to reach shared goals
- set collection — Collecting comic-themed cards/items for scoring
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Shelf of Shame and Opportunity
- it's addiction show
- we're here to help
- the pencils are the dice
References (from this video)
- Improved with 3D printed components
- Poor component quality in base game
- Thin paper components
- Cards needed sleeving
- Comics