Priming the engine is common with some start systems such as a cartridge start which gives you only a couple of rotations, so you have to be ready for it. Some radials also have a habit of draining oil into the bottom cylinders which could break the pistons through hydraullic lock which can be negated by turning the engine over by hand to drain the oil when the valves open.
The inertia starter involved storing energy in a flywheel prior to engaging it. This energising can be done by an electric motor (Harvard) or by hand cranking (Me 109).
Compressed air is used in some engines such a the Russian made Yaks.
And of course, there is hand swinging.