I'm sure I'll be in the minority, but Mal is definitely my pick. He's funnier, more like able, more of a badass, and would probably kick Han's ass in a fight.

Han Solo is cool. Han is awesome. But Mal is my generation's space cowboy. Every generation brings something new. Nothing against Han.

Yes! Does yours have a dancing furry?

This should be a popularity contest. People don't have the option of Spike Spiegel. [see Cowboy Bebop]

Mal has to be the best Space Cowboy, because unlike Han Solo he has never been turned into a pussy by his creator. If Han Solo was still the guy who shot Guido first, then yes he is better, but since he isn't, and Mal has proven his utter ruthlessness on many occasions, he is the best space cowboy.

Indeed, they never smooth him out. I was expecting the whole time that the writers would pussify Mal at some point, but they never did. I liked that.

Mal is a Big Damn Hero. On top of that, his awesome fighting sidekick River is easier to sneak into places that Chewie, and river could probably take Chewie in a fight, and Jayne has the angry-not-smart thing down pat.

Honestly, it's a close thing though. Both have awesome ships and companions, great themesongs and make for exciting misadventures in space. I agree this should be a popularity contest, as there are other space cowboys out there who at least deserve an honourable mention.

Yeah, but can he make the Kessel run in under 12 parsecs?

Han Solo has his own music video. Can Captain Malcolm Reynolds say the same?

Wants to hump a galactic princess?..........................[√]

Humps a galactic princess?......................................[√]

Outruns Imperial-Class Star Destroyers

with a YT-1300 freighter?........................................[√]

Helps destroy the Deathstar and Deathstar II?...........[√]

Navigates an asteroid field against the odds?.............[√]

Says "I know" when princess says "I love you"?..........[√]

Is frozen in carbonite by Boba Fett?..........................[√]

Kills Boba Fett while blind?......................................[√]

Is Harrison Ford?....................................................[√]

Says "Yee Haw!" like a cowboy?................................[√]

Rides a Tonton and murders it like a cow boy?...........[√]

Is called scruffy looking?.........................................[√]

Is called a Nerf Herder?...........................................[√]

If that's not enough to make Han Solo the official bad-ass space cowboy let me know why not.

As usual... the one with Han is way cooler.

Probably because of the "furry".

Can Mal successfully navigate an asteroid field with exciting music playing and being chased by fighters and against 3720 to 1 odds?

Didn't think so.

Flash Gordon in black and white rules. Anyone who needs special effects can't be all that cool :P