In 1971, Mattel introduced Comic Games, a series that combined card games for two to four players with eye-catching blister packaging styled after comic books.
Geared to children ages six to twelve, each game was housed in a plastic carry case and included an instruction card as part of the standard playing deck. Mattel designed a different card game for each superhero or cartoon character-based entry in the series, including:
- Scooby Doo’s Hidden Treasure Game challenged players to be the first to win two secret treasures by outguessing the other players.
- Tarzan Jungle Game saw players competing to win the most trail markers while forging a path through the jungle.
- Lone Ranger’s Wild Roundup Game asked players to collect the most diamond shapes by matching colour-coded pictures.
- Harlem Globe Trotters Fast Pass Game challenged players to make rapid passes at a set of winning basketballs.
- In Archie’s Race Chase Game, players attempted to be the first to get Archie’s “pals ‘n gals” off a moving maze.
- Superman Secret Picture Game challenged players to be the first to complete a secret picture by trading, switching, or uncovering puzzle parts.
A fun design fact about Comic Games is that Mattel employed the services of legendary comic-book artist Jack Kirby for several installments. Kirby’s work can be seen on the Tarzan, Superman, and Lone Ranger packaging and cardbacks.
COLLECTOR CONSIDERATIONS
Used copies of Comic Games are relatively common finds on secondary markets. Unused copies with blister packaging are more rare and they command more search cycles and money.
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