Racket Squad in Action (1952) comic books 1952

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.

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.