Science fiction Western

A science fiction Western is a work of fiction which has elements of science fiction in a Western setting.

Since the characteristic elements of science fiction can occur in any setting, science fiction lends itself to combination with other genres.^[1] In 1953, J. B. Priestley described the "Western" as one of the three types of science fiction.^[2] 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.^[3] Since then, science fiction Westerns have appeared in film, television, novels, comic books, and other media.^[3] 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".^[4][5] Deep Range by Arthur C. Clarke is considered another example.^[6]

See also

• Cross-genre
• Weird West
• Space Western
• Steampunk

References

1. Gunn, James (1995). "Teaching Science Fiction". Center for the Study of Science Fiction. University of Kansas. Retrieved 2006-01-15.
2. 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
3. Richardson, Jeffrey (2009). "Cowboys And Robots: the Birth of the Science Fiction Western". Crossed Genres. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
4. Chocano, Carina (October 3, 2002). "Giddyup, spaceman". Salon. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
5. "Whedon seeks return of 'gritty' sci-fi". BBC News. London: BBC. October 7, 2005. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
6. 5 fantastic nautical science fiction novels