Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction and science fantasy that emphasizes epic outer space adventure set in a universe where faster than light travel is common, typically featuring space warfare, alien civilizations and galactic empires. The subgenre draws on the classical adventure traditions of mythology and chivalric romance, reimagined within a futuristic cosmic setting.
Facts
Place of Origin Notable ExampleFlash Gordon (1936), created by Alex Raymond 1 Defining TraitEpic space adventures featuring space warfare, alien civilizations and galactic empires 1 Connections
In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Space Opera (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead paragraph, second sentence
The plots often play out against a backdrop of space warfare, alien civilizations and galactic empires.
Early films paragraph, Flash Gordon sentence
An early serial film which was based on space opera comic strips was Flash Gordon (1936), created by Alex Raymond.
History section, pulp magazines paragraph, opening sentence
Despite this seemingly early beginning, it was not until the late 1920s that the space opera proper began to appear regularly in pulp magazines such as Amazing Stories.
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