Comic Science Fiction

Like a good comedian, Comic Science Fiction mocks, satirizes, and otherwise exploits the conventions of Science Fiction for comedic effect. A relatively small sub-genre that is more common in short stories than novels and has done well on screen. Frequently, Comic Sci Fi presents a pessimistic view of humanity and the universe.

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1 The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy

By Douglas Adams. Perhaps the most popularly recognized Comic Sci Fi this series of books was based on Adams' radio show of the same name. .
2 A Stainless Steel Rat

By Harry Harrison. A series of books about a clever, young man who is also a criminal with a heart of gold and wanted on several planets.
3 Alternate Reality News Service

By Ira Nayman. A series that satirizes the news and reports on events in alternate realities.
4 Finders Keepers

By Russ Colchamiro. A buddy story about sex, love, desire, reincarnation, dinosaurs, and the fate of the Milky Way.
5 Armageddon Trilogy

By Robert Rankin. A comedic post-apocalyptic Sci Fi story including loquacious vegetables.
6 To Say Nothing of the Dog

By Connie Willis. An award winning novel where time travel is possible, but changing history and paradoxes are not.
7 Robots Have No Tails

By Henry Kuttner and F. Paul Wilson A collection of short stories about a binge-drinking inventor and his vain robot.
8 Hal Spacejock

By Simon Haynes. An accident prone space pilot and a clunky-aging robot have hilarious adventures and even accidentally set a planet on fire.
9 Martians Go Home

By Fredric Brown . A divorced Sci Fi writer holes up in a cabin just in time for a Martian invasion—a light hearted Sci Fi parody.
10 The Sirens of Titan

By Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Comic Sci Fi in its more witty and sardonic form. A great example of the nihilistic tendency of Comic Sci Fi.

Other Features of Comic Science Fiction

Level of Real Science
Moderate. Science and technology are frequently the subjects of jokes and satire. As a result, there are sometimes stories where technology is prominent, but exaggerated to comedic proportions.
Level of Grand Ideas/Social Implications
Low. There is not much talk about social implications, but there is plenty of mocking. However, there is a vein of Comic Sci Fi that is more satire than laugh-out-loud funny. This vein often presents a social satire, commenting on the flaws of society in a witty or sarcastic manner.
Level of Characterization
Moderately high—at least in terms of the humour. Characters can be spoofs of other Sci Fi tropes (instead of a gallant and heroic space ship captain, a clumsy one) or they can be original and hilarious.
Level of Plot Complexity
Average. Comic Sci Fi plots tend to be light hearted and thus not super complex, rather the plot is designed to make the reader laugh
Level of Violence
Low. Violence can occur in Comic Sci Fi, but it tends to be extravagant and add to the story's overall hilarity.

Related Science Fiction subgenres

Any. Comic Sci Fi can play well with any other sub-genre—it just may not play nice.