Han Solo vs. Mal Reynolds

Anybody remotely familiar with Star Wars and Firefly will instantly be able to see the resemblance between the two characters of Han Solo and Mal Reynolds. In a spirit of scientific enquiry, I'm setting out here today to figure out just how similar they are, and which, if any, is the superior character.

Please note that I haven't yet seen the movie Serenity, and I'm not hugely familiar with the Star Wars Extended Universe, so my knowledge is limited. Anybody with further observations is welcome to email them to me.

The showdown

Name Han Solo Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds Occupation Starship captain/trader/smuggler etc. Starship captain/trader/smuggler etc. Well-liked by local law-enforcement? Nope Nope Financial status Variable Variable Ship Millennium Falcon, heavily modified Corellian Engineering Corporation YT-1300 freighter Serenity, 03-K64 Firefly class midbulk transport Ship's reliability Breaks down frequently, at the least convenient moments Breaks down rarely (but definitely does break down) Ship's capacity Two people, two droids, hand luggage Sleeps nine, plus an entire herd of cows Secret compartments big enough to hide in? Yes, and shielded from Imperial scanners, no less Yes Ship's armaments Quad laser cannons, concussion missiles None whatsoever Owns his own ship? Won from a friend in a bet Bought and paid for Piloting skills Ace pilot, runs rings around Imperial Star Destroyers Pays somebody else to fly his ship for him Ship's speed "Point five past light speed" Slower than light Crew size One Five, counting Simon Physically attractive first mate? No Yes Once saved life of first mate? Yes Probably many times Carries a gun? Yes Yes Sees much combat? Yes Yes Shoots first? No (Lucas may have made a mistake with this decision, but Han is his character to make mistakes with) Frequently Gets injured much? Almost always escapes unscathed Regularly shot, stabbed, grazed, punched etc. Most unpleasant adventure? Captured and tortured by Darth Vader Had his ear cut off (reattached afterwards though) Reaction afterwards? "I feel terrible." "Sure this thing's gonna stay on?" Secretly loved by somebody? Yes Yes Knows it? Yes Maybe Married? Happily married with three kids (EU) Once, by accident Good guy at heart? Yes Yes Funniest quote "Had a slight weapons malfunction, but everything's perfectly alright now. We're fine, we're all fine, here now, thank you. ...How are you?" "This is the captain. We have a little problem with our entry sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence, and then explode."

So who wins?

Only you can resolve this! Vote now!

Han Solo
Mal Reynolds