Science fiction Western

A science fiction Western is a subgenre of science fiction that makes use of traditional Western plots and settings.[1]: 29 

Since the characteristic elements of science fiction can occur in any setting, science fiction lends itself to combination with other genres.[2] In 1953, J. B. Priestley described the "Western" as one of the three types of science fiction.[3] The film serial The Phantom Empire has been cited as possibly the earliest science fiction Western primarily because it takes place on a dude ranch (with many of the props associated with conventional 19th century westerns) while showcasing technology not in existence during that period.[4] Since then, science fiction Westerns have appeared in film, television, novels, comic books, and other media.[4]

Setting

Unlike the Space Western, which has its roots in science-fiction, the science-fiction Western focuses on traditional Western plots and settings combined with science-fiction elements.[1]: 29 

History

Early serial films such The Phantom Empire (1935) and Ghost Patrol (1936) incorporated supernatural figures of science fiction fantasy into a Western setting.[1]: 29  By the post-World War II era, Westerns began to fall out of favor in the youth market as space fever began to take hold. The classic Western's approach to gender, race, sexuality, and indigenous groups contributed to its decline until the hybrid Western revived it.

Films such as Valley of the Gwangi (1969), which displayed cowboys fighting dinosaurs, took hold during the 1960s. By the 1990s, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. brought the science fiction Western into television mainstream.[1]: 28  The 2002 television series Firefly was described as a science fiction Western, since it combined the visual elements associated with Westerns (revolvers, horses, etc.) with those associated with science fiction; however, creator Joss Whedon said that the term made people "cringe".[5][6] Although a box office flop, 2011's Cowboys and Aliens paid homage to the genre with its successful integration of Western and science-fiction themes.[1]: 31 

Novels and stories

Comics

Films

Television

Serial

Video games

See also

References
  1. Broughton, Lee (2016-09-19). Critical Perspectives on the Western: From A Fistful of Dollars to Django Unchained. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-4422-7243-9.
  2. Gunn, James (1995). "Teaching Science Fiction". Center for the Study of Science Fiction. University of Kansas. Retrieved 2006-01-15.
  3. Priestley, J. B. (December 5, 1953) "Thoughts in the Wilderness." New Statesman, p. 712. Cited in Michael A. Padlipsky (1960), "More Than Pulp(?): Science Fiction and the Problem of Literary Value", undergraduate thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. URL accessed on August 12, 2011
  4. Richardson, Jeffrey (2009). "Cowboys And Robots: the Birth of the Science Fiction Western". Crossed Genres. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  5. Chocano, Carina (October 3, 2002). "Giddyup, spaceman". Salon. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  6. "Whedon seeks return of 'gritty' sci-fi". BBC News. London: BBC. October 7, 2005. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  7. "Review - The Ghosts of Watt O'Hugh". Kirkus Reviews.
  8. "Review - The Alloy of Law".
  9. Bolt City - Daisy Kutter
  10. Dark Horse Comics > Profile > Lone TPB
  11. TenNapel Strikes Gold in "Iron West", Comic Book Resources, May 17, 2006
  12. Gleiberman, Owen. "Back to the Future Part III". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  13. Holden, Stephen. "'The Postman': Neither Snow, Nor Rain, Nor Descent to Anarchy ..." New York Times. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  14. Solis, Jorge (Apr 22, 2011). "Previewing 'Priest': Exclusive Pics Plus Comments". FANGORIA. Retrieved Oct 12, 2011.


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