In the 1970s there was a fair number of times when Marvel had to print a reprint instead of the intended story, but it was too late to replace the cover. Conan the Barbarian #22 is an example. The cover was supposed to go with the story in #23, and the issue carried a reprint of Conan the Barbarian #1 instead:
There are cases of mismatch from other periods as well. Detective Comics #40's cover was supposed to go with the second Joker story, but that story appeared in Batman #1 instead. So this cover was the Joker's first cover appearance, although he didn't appear inside:
This cover from Baffling Mysteries #8 belongs with a story that appeared in The Beyond #2 and was reprinted in Web of Mystery #27:
I thought it might be interesting to put together a collection of as many cases like these as possible. Please chime in with any you know.
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The lead feature in Rangers of Freedom Comics #1-#4 was "Rangers of Freedom", about a trio of young patriotic heroes. In #3 a recurring female character was added to the team as Ranger Girl. In #5 the feature was replaced by a straight war feature of the same name. When the comic became Rangers Comics with #8 the new feature was renamed "U.S. Rangers".
The cover of #5 features the first Rangers of Freedom, and Super-Brain, who they fought in each of their stories. My hat-tip to the GCD for this example.
The cover of Detective Comics #34 has a shipboard scene. A guy in a red mask has lifted another man over his head and is about to throw him overboard.
The GCD interprets red mask as the Crimson Avenger, and says this was verified by Creig Flessel. If it's correct this is another mismatch cover, as the Crimson Avenger's feature didn't appear between #29 and #37.
I doubt it's right, though. The mask is the right shape, but the pre-makeover Crimson Avenger wore a black mask, a red cloak, and a different type of hat. Red mask's victim is apparently a member of the crew: note his peaked hat.
The GCD notes the cover of Star Spangled War Stories #153 has a scene from the Unknown Soldier's origin in Star Spangled War Stories #154. It speculates the origin was intended for this issue and wasn't ready in time.
The covers for DC’s Our Fighting Forces #127 (Sep-Oct 1970) and #128 (Nov-Dec 1970) were
transposed. Each depicts a scene in the other issue.
Thanks, Jake. Here they are (images from the GCD, as always):
This cover seems intended to go with a story drawn by Bob Powell called "Green Horror". It appeared in Harvey's Witches Tales #6 and was reprinted in #27. St. John's Amazing Ghost Stories was a reprint title, but the stories came from Ziff-Davis titles.
Here's the splash of the story, from Comic Book Plus:
It's a wonderful cover, though. The art is attributed to Matt Baker.
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This cover from Adventure Comics #63 belongs with the story that appeared in #62.
Dr Fate does fight Wotan in More Fun Comics #56, but this cover looks intended for the feature's debut in More Fun Comics #55. The idol is part of Wotan's lair.
The woman is Inza, who appears in both stories.
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