Racket Squad in Action (1952) 12

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.