Space Cowboys

A look at how the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) mixture of the Western and Science Fiction genres has endured since the early days of Science Fiction. What is causing its modern re-emergence (Cowboy Bebop, Firefly/Serenity, Daisy Kutter)? Where did Space Westerns come from and why haven’t they just mosied off into the sunset?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (15.7MB)

1. Introduction by N.E. Lilly (0:00)
2. Keith R.A. DeCandido (0:25)
3. Marvin Kaye (0:52)
4. Ernest Lilley (3:15)
5. What is a Cowboy, anyway? (4:26)
6. Mixing genres is fun (11:15)
7. Stock characters (15:37)
8. Why are Space Westerns made? (17:11)
9. Necessary Space Western elements (20:51)
10. The conflict of morality (24:15)
11. Railing against slavery (27:00)
12. Space Westerns other than Star Trek and Firefly (29:20)
13. Space Western stories and novels (33:07)
14. Remade in the Space Western Image (38:52)
15. Does the Western in Space have a future? (44:11)

Keith R.A. DeCandido

has written several billion novels, short stories, eBooks, essays, and comic books in a huge variety of media universes, as well as editing anthologies, playing percussion, and generally making trouble.

Ernest Lilley

Marvin Kaye

N.E. Lilly

Nathan E. Lilly is the editor-in-chief of SpaceWesterns.com and a man who wears many hats.

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Nathan E. Lilly is the editor-in-chief of SpaceWesterns.com and a man who wears many hats.

Other works by N.E. Lilly

• Interview with Phil Foglio (Nov 8, 2009)
• 10 Most Influential Space Westerns (Oct 25, 2009)
• Space Western Most Wanted (Jan 25, 2009)
• Interview with John G. Cawelti (Dec 7, 2008)
• Interview with Beth Nelson, 2008 Browncoat Ball Chair (Sep 21, 2008)
• more by N.E. Lilly

Related articles

• Space Western Limerick Contest Winners by N.E. Lilly (Nov 25, 2007)
• Interview with Keith R.A. DeCandido by N.E. Lilly (Apr 22, 2007)