Wired’s Geekdad blog (disclosure, I internet-know a couple of those guys) has posted a Deathmatch-style post pitting Mal against Han. I’m intrigued, and wonder how our crew would vote vs. theirs.
Vote there, then vote here.
(BTW, have we done this? The closest I could find was the general SW vs. FF match.)
I’m tempted to say Han from how fast he drew on DV in Ep. V. But, I’m honestly not sure. Mal is more likely to gauge the situation before drawing.
Still, if we’re talking a quickdraw on the count of 3, then I say Mal.
There was a Han vs. Wash. I remember thinking this would be a better match-up. In terms of status as the space cowboy prototype, Han wins hands down.
I’m going with the “Han shot first” version & yeah, he wins, sorry
Here is how much I love my wife. I posed this question to her and she responded, “I like them both, they both should win. Now, Jayne and Chewbacca on the other hand…”
Yeah? Go on? (:
hmm… that would be a great poll question 
Mal is a quicker draw. They are both good at sizing up someones intentions and both are equally willing to shoot first and ask questions later (after a good bit of strategic running away) but Mal has the faster hands.
IYKWIM.
baltar
Sorry to post such a late reply to this but I couldn’t resist to share this.
HAL-CON just took place last week end. A locally-produced debate-style podcast had the Ultimate Showdown where 3 nerds were pitted against 3 geeks in an epic battle to decide who is the best dashing rogue smuggler/captain.
You can find this podcast on iTunes. Look for Geeks versus Nerds and listen to the Han Solo vs Malcolm Reynolds debate.
You can also download the podcast on Geeks versus Nerds
Can you give us a hint who “won”?
This poll (and its results) is blasphemous. It’s as if Han never shot first.
Oh no.
You’ll have to listen to the cast.
Crap. I won’t be gaming today. Got anime and this to get through before prime time…
I’ll definitely check it out. What’s their nerd/geek distinction (I have a friend who literally has a doctorate in that sort of thing.)
Oh, and sorry about Winterfell.
Frak this.
Han and Mal would never duel. They’d size each other up, realize they’re the same, and turn around and kill everybody else in the room holding the betting chits. Then form a highly lucrative partnership.
Until Leia returns from Endor and meets Mal. Then all bets are off. Chaos ensues. Shots are fired. Lots of shots.
Jar Jar Binks survives and inherits the smuggler empire. fini 
This begs the question…
Who will shoot first?
That’s a death match all in itself. My pick is Han…unless it’s 20 years later. d:
Han.
No, Mal.
No, Han…
Both shoot each other at the same time…
…unless Zoe is there…then Han better run