First appearing on January 26, 1948, the comic strip follows the adventures of orphan Rusty Riley and his faithful dog, Flip. Leaving the orphanage, Rusty is hired by wealthy racehorse owner Mr. Miles in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. Soon Rusty is thrust into the world of horse racing with dreams of becoming a jockey and riding the thoroughbred Blaze!
Volume 1
This first volume of Rusty Riley dailies reprints the beginning of the strip January 26, 1948 to November 28, 1848. There s also an introduction by Howard Chaykin (Black Kiss, American Flagg, American Century), an interview with Frank Godwin s daughter Diane, as well as a number of Frank Godwin illustrations covering the span of his long and productive career!
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Volume 2
Classic Comics Press is pleased to present the second volume of Frank Godwin’s masterful comic strip Rusty Riley. This volume continues where Volume 1 left off, reprinting dailies of this almost forgotten American comic strip from November 20, 1949 to August 4, 1951 with an introduction by Zoran Djukanovic.
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Volume 3
Classic Comics Press continues it’s reprinting of Frank Godwin’s Rusty Riley, reprinting dailies from August 6, 1951 to July 5, 1953. Reprinting what many believe are some of Frank Godwin’s best work in the world of newspaper comic strips. Godwin’s pen-and-ink technique, heavily influenced by illustrative realism, reached some of its most detailed and elegant forms during these years, solidifying him as one of the masters of the American newspaper comic strip.
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Volume 4
Classic Comics Press continues its complete reprinting of Rusty Riley, with art by Frank Godwin and storylines by Rod Reed reprinting dailies from July 6, 1953 to May 14, 1955.
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Volume 5
Currently in production. Coming by Christmas 2026
Volume 6
Currently in production. Coming in Spring 2027.