Typophile

Complementary fonts for a Science Fiction/Western novel

Joel C. Salomon

 I’m looking for fonts to go with the project mentioned in this thread: a Firefly-related book. The two genres for the book are science fiction and Western, and I’m wondering if there are fonts with a ‘feel’ in both directions.
 Don’t need old-style figures, but I do need book and titling weights, an italic suitable for long runs of text, and a complementary alternate form—a matching sans-serif, perhaps, or at least with a similar x-height and color, but readily distinguishable from the main text. I can fake small capitals if need be. The Gentium Book/Fontin combo I've tried here doesn't work too well.

 Also, is the Chinese font I’ve used (MS MingLiU) the best choice, or can someone recommend a better Chinese titling font/weight? (I.e., a more calligraphic font, still in Song style.)
—Joel

I've always liked Western & Sci-Fi fonts, but trying to find both was certainly a challenge! I don't know if it's too late, but here are some ideas.
Some sans-serif faces:
MVB Solano Gothic
Social Gothic
And some slab-serif:
Dispatch from Font Bureau
Anubis by DSType
BF Corpa Serif (or Gothic)
LTC Squareface

 Of those you've mentioned, only Dispatch is much of a text font, and it doesn't have an italic form.
 I'll probably try for something "standard" like Jenson along with some suitable sans-serif. But the new semester is well underway, and I'm behind on thesis work, so the book project is on the back burner for the nonce.
—Joel

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