*Humour Comics: 1967’s Giggle was an odd launch for Fleetway, primarily translated European reprints with only a smattering of new material, the slightly-taller size was an odd format, and the whole exercise seemed to be a test run – possibly a cost-cutting measure – to see if Euro-reprints (which Fleetway had been partially using for many years) could sustain their own weekly. If so, then the answer was ‘no’ – or possibly ‘Non’ – as after a couple of months it settled down to the more conventional size, and after 38 issues was absorbed into Buster, leaving Giggle as an odd cul-de-sac in the promenade of British comics history. By contrast, Chips (formerly Illustrated Chips) had launched in 1890 and achieved an impressive 2,997 weekly issues – you’d have thought they could have squeezed out another three, wouldn’t you? – before throwing in the towel. While the ‘Editor’s Important Message For You’ touted Chips’ replacement, TV Fun, this wasn’t a traditional merger, as none of the Chips features migrated to the new title, leaving ‘Weary Willie and Tired Tim’, ‘Dane, Dog Detective’, ‘Casey Court’, ‘Dickie Duffer’ and company homeless – an ignominious end to lengthy careers. Giggle #1 is GD/VG £22.50; Chips #2,997 is GD £7.50.