DC did it too. The Flash started at #105. My Greatest Adventure became Doom Patrol with #86. Volume number is part of it too. There's some kind of legal requirement involved with all the info contained in the legend. Whether published monthly, bi-monthly, "published monthly except June", etc.
Even if there wasn't a cost involved it was probably easier than jumping through hoops.
"We already have a number for Tales of Suspense which we are discontinuing. Rather than hassle with getting another one, let's just use it and start Cap America at 100."
In the case of Cap it was probably desirable to put 100 on the cover. Hulk was 102, Dr. Strange 169. For whatever reason they delayed putting out Iron Man 1 and Sub-Mariner 1 for a month and put out Iron Man/Sub-Mariner 1 instead.

My favorite examples of subtle title changes to try and trick the USPS was from EC:

International Comics -> International Crime Patrol -> Crime Patrol (to finally Crypt of Terror -> Tales from the Crypt)

Moon Girl and the Prince -> Moon Girl Fights Crime! -> A Moon, A Girl, Romance (clever!) (to finally Weird Fantasy -> Weird Science-Fantasy -> Incredible Science Fiction)

In honor of the SNL 50th anniversary show this weekend:

Maybe that's what I read about. The post office and subscriptions.

That's one they can't reprint because of rights of likenesses.

I've always enjoyed DC's trend of WWII G.I.s encountering monsters and dinosaurs but not aware of Hellcats till I ran across this

Gold Key invites you to tune into Sci-Fi Saturday Nights on MeTV

10:00


12:00


1:00


2:00


3:00


4:00

That Lost In Space cover is cool as shit!

That makes sense. I've always wanted to read that one, I was buying Marvel Team Up on and off back in the day but missed this issue. I guess I should pick up a reader copy if I ever stumble upon one in the wild.

I had started at #1 and had an almost complete run up to issue #69. I missed this one because I was in the Air Force, and in 1978/79 got stationed in the middle of Alaska (literally!) where comics weren't available.

I can check to see if I have it on one of my digital boots and if I do, I can send it to you if you want.

That would be cool, thanks!

This cracked me up.

Luke should call in for backup from these guys:

Sprichst du deutsch?

Yes, this is a real recent comic written and drawn by a black person. So you can't get mad at me for the name. Looks interesting.

That fourth issue cover seems to contradict the premise a bit.

Who knew First Comics was still around. (this really is the same First comics that published Dreadstar, American Flagg!, Nexus, etc although they are now called 1First Comics for some reason)

Maybe misdirection? Here is the synopsis of that 4th issue.

THE LAST NEGRO NO MORE!

In Space Negro #04 Enter: the Queen of the Negroes! Supernova Watkins has found an Afrofuturist utopia, a place without want and where every barber can hook a brother up with a decent fade. It's a perfect land of chocolate milk and honey... or is it? The dark side of dark paradise... revealed!

Here is the "Metal Variant Cover" cover of issue #1 for 100 bucks!


These are not recommended by 1First to be read.

And upcoming issue #5 cover:

THE HOG OF STEEL!!