Excellent story ... kudos to the script writer ... I am assuming the Clarence Mulford didn't write the actual script (just the novel upon which it was based). Then again, Mulford died in 1956 and this was published in 1952, so perhaps he adapted it?
Very impressed with Colin Merritt's art, and intrigued by the panel arrangement. Four panels ... sometimes three ... but several pages of a mere two panels. This arrangement probably allows for a more faithful adaptation ... at least, the comic writer is only scratching the surface of some scenes, but he doesn't have to toss out information/scenes altogether for a standard comics adaptation.
This large panel approach reminds me of flashback scenes in Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD #4 and the graphic novel "Chandler: Red Tide," both by Steranko.
Link to the book:
Thriller Comics 017 - The Outlaw Orphan