Racket Squad in Action (1952) comic books

Cover by Albert Tyler and Bob Forgione. Stories and art by Walter Gibson, Dick Giordano, Albert Tyler and Bob Forgione. Pre-Code crime comics from Charlton, focusing on swindlers and con games. Inspector J.J. O'Malley investigates bets on a Guatemalan race that never takes place. A smart society crook preys on unsuspecting gem dealers. Advice to the reader on when to be wary of con games, such as the old shell game, or gambling with strangers on a train. Plus a great inside-cover "contents page," also by Forgione, describing the stories in this issue in all their tawdry, two-fisted glory. Some scripts in this issue are by Walter Gibson, legendary writer of The Shadow's pulp adventures. Inspector J.J. O'Malley: The Badger Racket; Gamblers Wont Gamble; Count Your Change; Inspector J.J. O'Malley: The Jewelry Swindle; Inspector J.J. O'Malley: Guatemala Sweepstakes; The Old Shell Game. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Albert Tyler. Stories and art by Walter Gibson, Dick Giordano, Albert Tyler, Frank Frollo, John Belfi and Art Cappello. Pre-Code crime comics from Charlton, focusing on swindlers and con games. Paul and Hugh swindle stage-struck high-school actress Doris, by playing on her dreams of Hollywood stardom. Young Tom learns the ropes of carnival con games, in a story with a rare (for its time) full-page panel fight scene. Widow Arlene falls for a phony "lonely hearts" club. Plus advice to the reader on avoiding con artists. Some scripts in this issue by Walter Gibson, legendary writer of The Shadow's pulp adventures. A Trip to Hollywood; Are You With It!; Its a Racket; The Lonely Hearts Racket; Take a Chance; The Phony Directory Racket; The Engagement Racket. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Frank Frollo. Stories and art by Walter Gibson, Dick Giordano, Albert Tyler, Frank Frollo, John Belfi and Stan Campbell. Pre-Code crime comics from Charlton, focusing on swindlers and con games. Gail's visit a gambling ship in international waters seems innocent enough, until she finds herself a victim of blackmail. Inspector O'Malley tries to shut down the Three-card Monte swindle. "Ghost breaker" Dr. Neff teams with Inspector O'Malley to expose a phony medium. Plus advice to the reader on avoiding con artists. Some scripts in this issue may be by Walter Gibson, legendary writer of The Shadow's pulp adventures. And Don't Forget the Coffee; The Blackmail Racket; Find the Lady; Dont Be a Sucker; Hook Line and Sinker; Smashing the Spook Racket; The Numbers Racket. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $27.00 View scans Water damage.

Cover by Frank Frollo. Stories and art by Walter Gibson, Dick Giordano, and Frank Frollo. Pre-Code crime comics from Charlton, focusing on swindlers and con games. An ordinary man falls for the Spanish Prisoner swindle, an ancient confidence trick better known these days as the "Nigerian prince scam." Waiter Jerry works in a casino where he has perfected the art of "cold-decking," or switching card decks, but in the end, the Joker's on him. Dr. William Neff, a real-life debunker dubbed the "Ghost-Breaker," reveals a spiritualism scam through trick photography. Plus advice to the reader on avoiding con artists. Some scripts in this issue may be by Walter Gibson, legendary writer of The Shadow's pulp adventures. The Spanish Prison Racket; Cold Deck; The Big Time Build-Up; Charge It; Dr. Neff, the Original Ghost-Breaker: The Spirit Photo Racket; The Horse That Couldnt Lose; Rackets. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart CGC 6.0 $941.00 or Best Offer View scans Paper: Off white Label #3922108005 Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout.

Add to cart GD+ 2.5 $299.95 or Best Offer View scans Lateral spine tears. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor. Other items consigned by humble cow

Cover art by Frank Frollo. Spirit Post Office starring Dr. Neff, the Original Ghost-Breaker, art by Frank Frollo. The Hotel Gypsy, art by Frank Frollo. 50 Miles on a Dime, art by John Belfi. Racket Lingo text story. Just off the Boat, art by Dick Giordano. The Old Master Swindle, art by Dick Giordano. Shake Well Before Choosing, art by Sal Trapani. Accidents Will Happen, art by Frank Frollo. A Quick Buck, art by Dick Giordano. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD- 1.8 $18.00 View scan 1" spine split. Water damage. 2 1/2" tear from top of front cover.

Cover art by Frank Frollo. The Kidnap Racket, art by Frank Frollo. Check and Double Check, art by Bob Forgione. When Odds Are Even It's Time to Be Wary, pencils by Dick Giordano, inks by Alfred Fago. Watch Out for the "Soft Job" Racket. Russian Roulette text story, art by Frank Frollo. You Can't Lose, art by Frank Frollo. Check Your Bag, pencils by Dick Giordano, inks by Alfred Fago. It's Time to Watch Out starring Dr. Neff, the Original Ghost-Breaker, art by Frank Frollo. Bet the Pot, art by Dick Giordano. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart FR 1.0 $10.75 Cover and centerfold detached. Water damage and mold. Staple rust and migration.

Cover art by Frank Frollo and Vince Alascia. Easy Money Racket, pencils by Frank Frollo, inks by Tony Tallarico. Calm Cool and Collected, pencils by Frank Frollo, inks by Vince Alascia. The Rug CleanUp, pencils by Dick Giordano, inks by Sal Trapani. Smooth as Silk, pencils by Frank Frollo, inks by Tony Tallarico. The Yogi from Chinchon text story, art by Frank Frollo. Opening Night, art by Stan Campbell. The Shiner, art by John Belfi. Swindle on the Midway, pencils by Frank Frollo, inks by Vince Alascia. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG+ 4.5 $37.00 View scans

Cover art by Frank Frollo and Vince Alascia. The Driver's Seat, pencils by Frank Frollo, inks by Vince Alascia. The Death Notice Racket, pencils by Frank Frollo, inks by John Belfi. Cut the Ace, art by John Belfi. The Other 10 Percent text story. Hush Money, pencils by Stan Campbell, inks by John Belfi. The Misery Chiselers, pencils by Stan Campbell, inks by Tony Tallarico. The Turn of the Wheel, art by Tony Tallarico. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $16.50 View scan Water damage. 1" spine split from bottom. Cover loose at one staple.

Cover art by Frank Frollo and Vince Alascia. Two Fisted Fix, pencils by Frank Frollo, inks by Vince Alascia. Ten for Five, pencils by Dick Giordano, inks by Sal Trapani. Reverse Twist, pencils by Frank Frollo, inks by Vince Alascia. Penny-Ante Saledman, art by Sal Trapani. The Catsup Racket text story. Letter Perfect, pencils by Frank Frollo, inks by Vince Alascia. Sharp Salesman, pencils by John Belfi, inks by Sal Trapani. The Fake Bond Swindle, pencils by Frank Frollo, inks by Vince Alascia. Watch Out for... the Hold-Out, art by Jack Alderman. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG- 3.5 $90.00 View scans Water damage. Chew.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $50.00 View scan Moisture damage.

Cover art by Frank Frollo and Vince Alascia. Stamp of Guilt, art by Frank Frollo and Vince Alascia. A Handful of Aces, pencils by Frank Frollo, inks by John Belfi. The Able Arsonist, art by Frank Frollo. When Two Thieves Meet, art by Frank Frollo and Vince Alascia. Door to Door Swindle, pencils by Stan Campbell, inks by John Belfi. The Stradivarius Swindle, pencils by Frank Frollo, inks by Vince Alascia. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Steve Ditko. Stories and art by Steve Ditko, Joe Shuster, Carl Memling, Frank Frollo, John Belfi and Sy Moskowitz. Pre-Code crime comics from Charlton, focusing on swindlers and con games. Gangsters hire a painter to make an ordinary horse look exactly like a million-dollar race horse, in a story with early art (and cover) by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko. Swindlers pose as IRS agents to fleece a gambler, in a story with art most likely by Joe Shuster. (If so, that makes this the rare comic to contain art by the creators of both Superman and Spider-Man - if not in the same story.) Con artists employ a beautiful redheaded woman for "Operation Flash Bulb," getting pictures of conventioneers in embarrassing situations and then blackmailing them. Plus advice to the reader on avoiding con artists. Case of the Income Tax Frauds; Botticelli of the Bangtails; Not So Dumb; Photo Frame-Up; Paper Hangers of Death. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart FR 1.0 $650.00 or Best Offer View scans Cover detached. Hole punches. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor. Other items consigned by Mike'sRack

In all probability the most violent cover Steve Ditko ever did.

Cover by Steve Ditko. Stories and art by Bill Molno (credited as Joe Shuster), Carl Memling, Ray Osrin, and Chic Stone. Pre-Code crime comics from Charlton, focusing on swindlers and con games. In a particularly violent story, Wally and Doris have a swindle-and-robbery racket going, with Wally earning a reputation as a literal "lady killer." That is, until they cross the wrong woman - an undercover policewoman - in a story with some early action-girl art. Crooks pretend to be Soviet authorities to swindle Russian immigrants in America, in one of several stories this issue with art most likely by Bill Molno, ghosting for an ailing Joe Shuster. A couple is conned by phony stock-market advisors. Plus advice to the reader on avoiding con artists. Robbery by Appointment; The Ransom Swindle; Refund Artist; The Keys to Death; The Stock Market Swindlers; Fast Count; Protection Game; Fly-By-Night. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG- 3.5 $27.00 View scan Water spotting and foxing.

Cover by Joe Shuster and Ray Osrin. Stories and art by Joe Shuster, Bill Molno (also credited as Joe Shuster), Dick Giordano, Vince Alascia, Carl Memling, Ray Osrin, John Belfi and Chic Stone. Pre-Code crime comics from Charlton, focusing on swindlers and con games. Smooth customer Stockton Parkes runs a phony modeling agency, in a story with plentiful good-girl art. This is one of several stories this issue with art most likely by Bill Molno, ghosting for an ailing Joe Shuster (although other stories do appear to be Shuster's work). In another story, with grisly art by Superman co-creator Shuster, a strong-arm man threatens to pour acid on models' faces, but it's all an act using elaborate make-up. Business investors are conned by a fraudulent claim on uranium-rich land. Plus advice to the reader on avoiding con artists. Malignant Model Agency; Your Money or Your Face; Hot Ice; Tickets to Tragedy; The Case of the Crummy Corporation; A Case for the Police; The Basketball Scandals; Free Pick-Up. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart Fair $7.60

Cover by Dick Giordano. Stories and art by Carl Memling and Dick Giordano. Pre-Code crime comics from Charlton, focusing on swindlers and con games. Bunk Crawford and his cronies masquerade as frozen-food delivery men to swindle thousands of dollars in food from grocers and food customers. Gangsters murder a marijuana dealer and take over his "route" and his customers. The series starts to resemble more traditional pre-Code crime comics, with stories like the one about a gang planting rigged slot machines around town. Plus advice to the reader on avoiding con artists. The Big Freeze; Shakedown; The Captain Kidd Racket; Slot Machine Rackets; The Double-Talk Artists. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Dick Giordano. Stories and art by Carl Memling, Art Cappello and Dick Giordano. Pre-Code crime comics from Charlton, focusing on swindlers and con games. Gangsters try to pass stolen money with a phony counterfeiting racket, a sort of crime within a crime. Jerry employs his beautiful girlfriend Dot in a scheme to catch ordinary men in compromising photographs. Widow Arlene falls for a phony "lonely hearts" club. Plus advice to the reader on avoiding con artists. Look Them Over; Limited Edition; Blackmail; Double Trouble; The Two Buck Hype; Photo Finish; Beware of the Swami; No Bargain; The Lonely Hearts Racket; The Old Shell Game. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Dick Giordano. Stories and art by Dick Giordano, Vince Alascia, Al Tyler, John Belfi and Sal Trapani. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games, rather than murder and mayhem, allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. A gossip columnist, who works for a newspaper "so yellow that even its copy boys had jaundice," gets caught up in his employer's blackmail scheme. A cautionary tale for the reader on when to be wary, such as gambling with strangers on a train. A forger and a con man team up to swindle art collectors. First issue with the Comics Code seal on the cover. Kill That Item; Gamblers Wont Gamble; A True Crime Story; Art for Art Torgans Sake; Look at the Birdie; Sharp Salesman. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Dick Giordano and Vince Alascia. Stories and art by Dick Giordano, Vince Alascia, John Belfi and Maurice Whitman. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. Harry's setup to process the charitable donations of wealthy families seems legit for years - but he's playing the "long con." Phony contractors sell shoddy patios to homeowners who didn't bother to read the fine print, leaving the Racket Squad looking for a legal loophole. Charles Ponzi is a con artist who specializes in the infamous swindle still known today as a Ponzi scheme. The Smoothest Spiel of Them All; Sure Well Build Your Patio; Its Costing You; Cut the Ace; Ponzi the Half Pint Swindler; Cleaning Up the Races. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $8.80 Water damage. Chew.

Cover by Dick Giordano and Vince Alascia. Stories and art by Bill Molno, Sal Trapani, John Belfi and Chic Stone. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. Ex-con Lester decides to "go straight" by switching to white-collar crime, specifically, insider trading. An "auto health plan" turns out to be just another swindle. Even the lanes are not safe, as crooked gamblers target bowling alleys. The Awful Waste; This Time Youll Play It Smart; Dont Be a Sucker; The Automobile Health Plan Racket; Hook Line and Sucker. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart Good $5.70

Add to cart GD 2.0 $5.70 View scan

Cover by Dick Giordano and Vince Alascia. Stories and art by Bill Molno, Vince Alascia, Sal Trapani, and Chic Stone. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. A gangster tries to convince an up-and-coming boxer to take a dive. Officer O'Malley goes undercover to catch a strong-arm artist whose "social club" is just a method for getting kickbacks. Ex-con Syd tries to swindle a catering service by spoiling their food, but unfortunately, the party they're catering at that moment is for the police Racket Squad. The Dive; The Kickback Club; Memory Machine; The Spoiler; Mr. Numbers; The Softest Touch. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $13.00 Water damage. Centerfold detached at one staple.

Add to cart FR 1.0 $5.40

Cover by Dick Giordano and Vince Alascia. Stories and art by Dick Giordano, Dick Wood, Bill Molno, Bill Ely, Vince Alascia, Sal Trapani, and Chic Stone. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. A jeweler hires a private eye to find out how his messenger keeps switching out precious gems for fakes. Cultured, well-spoken "Sir Thomas" specializes in fleecing wealthy marks. American tourists in France get swindled out of their passports. The Man Who Stole from Himself; The Fabulous Sir Thomas; The Shortchange Racket; Television Trouble; Passport to Trouble; The Portrait Racketeers; The Hot Watch Racket. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $8.80 Water damage. Cover detached at one staple.

Cover by Bill Molno and Vince Alascia. Stories and art by Dick Giordano, Dick Wood, Bill Molno, Bill Ely, Vince Alascia, Sal Trapani, and Chic Stone. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. An early look at auto "repo men" (before that was seen as a legit concern) portrays them as legal car thieves, working for shifty dealers with inflated repayment plans. The con man known as "The Silver Fox" specializes in emptying out houses while their owners are on vacation. A phony doctor swindles patients with unorthodox cures and lets them deal with the consequences. The Legal Auto Theft Racket; The Old Shell Game; Ill Steal Your Home; Hush-Hush; Medical Menace; The Swiss Watches. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $13.00 Only 1 staple (manufacturing). 1 1/2" spine split from bottom.

Cover by Dick Giordano and Vince Alascia. Stories and art by Dick Giordano, Bill Molno, Vince Alascia, Charles Nicholas, and Jon D'Agostino. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. When police crack down on pickpockets, "dip" Barney comes up with a new scheme involving a "third hand." (Although credited to Charles Nicholas, this story looks like it could be the work of future Superman artist Curt Swan.) A mechanic inflates auto-repair bills with unexpected charges, costing both his customer and the garage where he works dearly. Con men swindle people out of their life savings with promises of free "found" money. The Three-Handed Pickpocket; Overcharge; Lost Dog; Nothin for Somethin; Silver Sap; Missing Evidence. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD- 1.8 $8.60 Water damage. Chew. Staple rust with migration.

Cover by Dick Giordano and Vince Alascia. Stories and art by Frank Frollo, Stan Kaye, Bill Molno, Vince Alascia, Charles Nicholas, and Sal Trapani. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. A wealthy couple's surprise visitors claim to be out-of-town cousins, but are actually impostors casing the joint. A crooked art dealer sells collectors stolen art masterpieces that turn out to be forgeries. Orrin's "insurance" office is actually a front for a high-end blackmail operation. The Visitors; A List of Fools; The Fountain Pen Swindle; Truck Trap; Secret Success; The Engagement Racket; Double Take. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart FR/GD 1.5 $7.49

Cover by Bill Molno and Maurice Whitman. Stories and art by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio, Bill Molno, Vince Alascia, Maurice Whitman, and Sal Trapani. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. Crooks hope to enlist a star college basketball player in their "point spread" gambling scheme. Detective Franklin goes undercover with an outfit that swindles charities out of their donations. A Racket Squad detective wants to know the truth behind "Honest John's" profitable little game. Point Spread; Sweet Charity; Evidence; Some Shirts; Honest John; Settings and Types; The Dissolving Empire; The Trap. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG 4.0 $24.00 View scan 1/2" spine split from top. Water damage.

Add to cart Good $5.70

Add to cart GD- 1.8 $8.60

Cover by Bill Molno and Vince Alascia. Stories and art by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio, Bill Molno, Vince Alascia, and Sal Trapani. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. An accident and a smashed window is but the first act of Tuffy's loan-sharking scheme targeting a small-business owner. A policewoman goes undercover to discover how a phony medium is conning the wealthy and bereaved. Con Burkley makes a tidy profit selling other people's houses at a bargain - even though they're not for sale. Through the Broken Window; The Spirits; Rancid; Train Robbers; Mansions for Sale; His Brothers Keeper. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD+ 2.5 $12.75

Add to cart GD- 1.8 $8.60

Cover by Dick Giordano and Vince Alascia. Stories and art by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio, Bill Molno, Charles Nicholas, Vince Alascia, and Sal Trapani. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. Detective O'Malley discovers the secret behind a long-unsolved string of car thefts. Cyrus Wells gains a reputation for clairvoyance by predicting news events a day before they're broadcast on the radio to his small mountain village. When people have no memory of being swindled out of their money, Detective O'Malley suspects a crooked hypnotist is behind it all. Dead Duck; The Oracle; Some Stones; They Couldnt Remember; Big Bargain. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $13.00 Water damage. 1" spine split from bottom.

Add to cart FR/GD 1.5 $7.49

Cover by Maurice Whitman. Stories and art by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio, Bill Molno, Charles Nicholas, and Vince Alascia. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. Scar-faced ex-con Dapper Dan figures out an art forgery scheme that is technically legit, to avoid the law. Detectives catch a known shoplifter in the act, but it's all just a little too easy. An out-of-work Alaskan bush pilot takes a dicey job for a crook who wants to rob a Saskatchewan prospector's family of their mineral ore. Never Again; False Arrest; Clay Pigeon; Oil Not from Texas; Decoy; Fools Contract. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG 4.0 $17.50 View scan Cover loose at one staple.

Cover by Dick Giordano and Vince Alascia. Stories and art by Ross Andru, Bill Molno, Charles Nicholas, and Vince Alascia. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. When $1000 goes missing from a bank, cops suspect an inside job, but they don't know how right they are. Bomb-squad detective Dan must defuse a time bomb on the subway tracks before a train bears down on him. "Sgt. Joe Pride" goes after an auto-theft ring, in one of two stories that were likely originally intended as "Dragnet" stories featuring Sgt. Joe Friday. Sgt. Joe Pride: The Missing Money Racket; Heirlooms Inc.; Detonation Squad; My Mink; Sgt. Joe Pride: The Car Racket; The Great Electric Trap. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG- 3.5 $45.00 View scan

Cover by Maurice Whitman. Stories and art by Ross Andru, Bill Molno, Charles Nicholas, and Vince Alascia. Racket Squad's focus on swindlers and con games allowed it to survive the Comics Code longer than most Pre-Code crime comics. When a man offers to buy up worthless oil-company stock at high prices, it seems too good to be true. A fast-fingered jewel thief pulls "The Old Switcheroo" while examining rings in a jewelry store. "Sgt. Joe Pride" investigates a ransacked apartment where nothing appears stolen, in a story that was likely originally intended as a "Dragnet" story featuring Sgt. Joe Friday. The Big Pay-Off; Thieves Thief; Stake-Out; The Old Switcheroo; Half a Heel; The Friendly Game; Glamour Boy; A Little Guilty; The Model Victim; Air Conditioned; In the Cameras Eye; Sgt. Joe Pride: Sorehead. Double-sized final issue of the series. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.15.