I wonder if can get some help here with my question. I am trying to put together a complete run of Shiver and Shake comics published by IPC in 1973-1974. Most sources say it ran for 83 ISSUES. Other sources say it ran for 83 WEEKS. I have 79 issues, and the run which is missing is the four issues of July 1974. I have a "theory" that the comic may not have been published during that month (most probably due to industrial action, or maybe some other reason), and I have two arguments in favour of the theory:
First, each and every issue that I own has the Creepy Creations feature on the back cover. All Creepy Creations are numbered. Now, the one on the back of issue dated June 29th, 1974 is No. 69, whereas the one on the back of issue dated August 3rd, 1974 is No. 70. Apparently, there were no Creepy Creations in July, which is quite strange, because the feature was one of the magazine's highlights.
Second, visiting the Comic Covers section of comicsuk.co.uk I noted a comment next to the cover of Buster/Cor issue dated 29th June, 1974. It says that it "was the last one to be published until the 10th August 1974 issue. This was brought about by industrial action of the time". If this is true, then IPC's Shiver and Shake may very well have also been affected by the industrial action, thus no issues in July 1974.
Besides, I have never seen a July 1974 issue offered either on ebay, by dealers or elsewhere on the web. I have been watching for nearly a year now.
Basically, my question is if anyone here has actually seen a complete run of Shiver and Shakes consisting of 83 issues? If the 4 July issues of 1974 do exist, can you please check what is on their back covers and let me know.
Thanks!
