Science fiction Western

A science fiction Western is a subgenre or cross-genre that uses traditional Western plots and settings, while incorporating science fiction elements such as futuristic technology or aliens.^[1]^[2]^: 29 The post-apocalyptic Western and steampunk Western fall within this subgenre.^[1]^: 2^[3]

Since the characteristic elements of science fiction can occur in any setting, science fiction lends itself to combination with other genres.^[4] In 1953, J. B. Priestley described the "Western" as one of the three types of science fiction.^[5]

Precursors of the science fiction Western are seen in 19th century inventor fiction such as The Steam Man of the Prairies (1868).

The film serial The Phantom Empire has been cited as possibly the earliest science fiction Western. Set on a dude ranch and making use of props associated with conventional Westerns, it showcased futuristic technology not in existence during the period.^[6] Since then, science fiction Westerns have appeared in film, television, novels, comic books, and other media.^[6]

^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ 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.
^ Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Gunn, James (1995). "Teaching Science Fiction". Center for the Study of Science Fiction. University of Kansas. Archived from the original on 2006-01-12. Retrieved 2006-01-15.
^ 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
^ ^a ^b Richardson, Jeffrey (2009). "Cowboys And Robots: the Birth of the Science Fiction Western". Crossed Genres. Retrieved 27 March 2014.

[:4-1] Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[:0-2] 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.

[:5-3] Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[gunn-4] Gunn, James (1995). "Teaching Science Fiction". Center for the Study of Science Fiction. University of Kansas. Archived from the original on 2006-01-12. Retrieved 2006-01-15.

[:2-5] 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

[phantom_empire-6] Richardson, Jeffrey (2009). "Cowboys And Robots: the Birth of the Science Fiction Western". Crossed Genres. Retrieved 27 March 2014.

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