Edgeworld: Chuck Austen’s Sci-Fi Western Frontier

Edgeworld, written by the veteran comic scribe Chuck Austen with art primarily by Patrick Olliffe,
is a genre-bending series that throws readers onto the rough and tumble frontier planet of Pala,
far on the edge of known space. Published initially as a ComiXology Originals title and later
collected in print by Dark Horse Comics, Edgeworld carves out a unique space by blending
elements of science fiction, detective noir, and the classic Western.

The story centers on Killian Jess, a former military man now serving as a magistrate on Pala.
This backwater planet is a melting pot of humans and various alien species, all struggling to
survive amidst military occupation, alien infestations, rampant crime, and the ecological scars of
a brutal past war. Jess, along with the native Palan woman Cheela, finds himself constantly
battling to maintain a semblance of order and protect the forgotten people of Pala from the
myriad threats that plague their world.

Austen’s writing brings a gritty realism to this frontier setting. The characters are flawed and
complex, driven by their own survival instincts and often forced to make difficult moral choices.
The dialogue is sharp and often laced with a dark humor that reflects the harsh realities of life
on the edge. The series doesn’t shy away from mature themes, exploring the underbelly of this
frontier society with a frankness that sets it apart.

Season 3 #11 of this comic series debuts on May 13th, less than two weeks away. It’s worth a
viewing if you’re into the interesting blend of western sci-fi.