On the backwater frontier planet of Pala, magistrate Killian Jess and native Palan Cheela fight to protect a planet and people that the rest of the galaxy has forgotten. Battling military occupation, alien invasions, otherworldly infestations, drug running, gang violence, black market traders and the aftermath of a brutal planet-wide war, they must learn to work together and collect together any allies they can from the castoffs, misfits and aliens occupying Pala to save the place they love.
As the Historian continues digging into Cheela and Killian's story, he discovers connections he couldn't dream were possible between his life in the peaceful Palan future and the violent past that Killian and Cheela continue to battle through. Life is only getting more dangerous for the magistrate and his team as strange and violent aliens pass every day through Pala...
An edgy, potent adventure series that's part science fiction, part detective series, part western, Edgeworld is a unique blend of energy, comedy and darkness like nothing you've ever read before.
Chuck Austen (born Chuck Beckum) is an American humor novelist, comic book writer and artist, TV writer and animator. In comics, he is known for his work on X-Men, War Machine, Elektra, and Action Comics, and in television, he is known for co-creating the animated TV series Tripping the Rift.
In his most recent prose novels, Chuck Austen has been going by the name Charles Austen.
By Chuck Austen, Pat Olliffe (artist), Lee Loughridge (colorist)
In A Reason to Live, the gritty sci-fi noir of Edgeworld continues to carve out its place among the more rugged corners of the genre. Chuck Austen steers his ragtag ensemble through the wreckage of war and alien interference on the forgotten planet of Pala—where the stakes never seem to lower, and hope is as scarce as breathable air.
A Frontier Steeped in Grit and Mystery
Pala isn’t just another war-torn world—it’s a crucible. Austen ramps up the tension with every page, and Pat Olliffe’s sharp line work paired with Lee Loughridge’s rich, moody colors soak the panels in atmosphere. Together, they bring to life a setting where military occupation feels claustrophobic, the aliens are genuinely unsettling, and the whole ecosystem hums with corruption, desperation, and alien unease.
Characters on the Edge
Magistrate Killian Jess and Cheela remain a compelling duo—equal parts oil and fire. Their begrudging alliance anchors the narrative, even as they are forced to play politics with smugglers, gang leaders, and the occasional parasitic creature. Austen’s strength lies in letting personal loyalty smolder underneath mission-driven grit, and this volume lets those emotional strands fray with purpose.
The Historian’s subplot adds a layered intrigue—less exposition, more philosophical tension. The parallels between past and future aren’t just thematic; they’re existential. Austen weaves the concept of memory and historical legacy into the storyline with finesse, teasing something bigger behind the curtain.
Tension, Mutation, and Meaning
A Reason to Live balances intense firefights with emotional resonance. There are moments where the action threatens to overwhelm the more introspective beats, but the creative team ultimately pulls it back from the brink. The aliens aren’t just scenery—they’re mirrors reflecting what’s fractured in human (and Palan) civilization.
Final Thoughts
There’s a lived-in texture to Edgeworld that’s hard to fake. Volume 2 doesn’t aim for clean resolutions—it embraces chaos, grime, and uneasy alliances. It’s not perfect: pacing can sputter, and some character motivations feel slightly undercooked. But the blend of visual storytelling, thematic weight, and world-building ambition makes it worthy of its four-star praise.
Austin & Olliffe continue the space western series, Edgeworld and its still entertaining. The story dips a bit as we lose some of the perspective and there is some confusing moments concerning a mystery but the story is still good. Killian's relationships continue to be the crux of the book whether it be with Cheela, Shay, or others, its all good. We leave on a cliffhanger so I definitely hope the books continues. Olliffe's art was very good especially the last issue. Overall, another fun trip to this alien world where trouble lies around every corner.
Good color artwork, gritty. A sci fi western. A border town that has more violence than tombstone Arizona. Jillian attracts a lot of strange women in his life.
I really enjoyed the first volume, but sadly I didn't vibe with this one at all. There were a couple of bits I enjoyed, but overall it just didn't do it for me
Persevered as it's a) free for Prime customers on Kindle and b) I don't like leaving a story unfinished. I think I'll be leaving this one unfinished. Just not to my tastes.