Cowboy Apocalypse: Religion and the Myth of the Vigilante Messiah

Wagner (philosophy and religion, Ithaca Coll.; Godwired: Religion, Ritual and Virtual Reality) explores the mix of nostalgia for American frontier life and apocalyptic thinking, which she dubs the “cowboy apocalypse.” The cowboy apocalypse archetype gained popularity in early Westerns and has evolved into modern stories of a lone heroic person with a gun who is up against impossible odds. Wagner starts her analysis by considering the purpose of guns in U.S. society and the various roles that they play, from tools to symbols and props, for example. To explain the hold that cowboy apocalypse stories have, the book looks at its appearance in books, films, television, video games, and in-person events, such as live-action role-playing and gun advocacy groups. Wagner intersperses this analysis with discussion of current events that have influenced media portrayals and includes the influence of racism and religion in her analysis. Her book closes with suggestions for alternative ways of looking at this narrative, which include the perspectives of people of color, feminists, and LGBTQIA+ people.