Table of Contents
Acknowledgments viii
Foreword Jeremy Bulloch ix
Foreword Tim Russ xi
Introduction xiii
Part I People
Chapter 1 Men-Masters of the Universe
Sizing up the men of action including Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo; Captains Kirk, Picard, and Sisko; and the rest 3
Chapter 2 Women-More Than Just Pretty Faces
The ladies of the series: Princess Leia, Queen Amidala, Ahsoka Tano; Uhura, Captain Janeway, Seven of Nine; and others 15
Chapter 3 Aliens-No Need to Phone Home
The nonhuman denizens of two universes: Wookiees, Ewoks, Hutts; Klingons, Romulans, Ferengi; and lots more 27
Chapter 4 Ninions-Someone's Got to Do the Dirty Work
The lesser villains the heroes can look good beating up-and the lesser heroes the villains can test out their weapons on 39
Chapter 5 Villains-You Can't Have a Saga Without Them
A series is only as good as its villains: Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Maul; Khan, Nero, the Borg Queen; and the rest of the rogues gallery 51
Chapter 6 Powers-What Makes the Galaxy Go Round
The greatest adversaries are those who totally outpower the heroes 63
Chapter 7 Monsters-They Live in the Shadows
Swallow a person, swallow a planet-the creepy things with big teeth 75
Chapter 8 Losers-Because Not Everyone Can Be a Winner
The lamest characters in both series make us wonder what the creators were thinking: Jar-Jar Sinks, Wesley Crusher, Greedo, Rom, and others 87
Part II Gadgets
Chapter 9 Technology-Futuristic Gadgets From Our Past
What's the difference between hyperspace and Warp, droids and Data? 99
Chapter 10 Weapons-Keeping the Galaxy Honest
The iconic weaponry from the series to see who would have the edge in a cross-universe firefight 111
Chapter 11 Starships-The Best Way to See the Universe
Both Star Wars and Star Trek have the most recognized starships in the world, from the X-wing to the Enterprise 123
Part III Time and Space
Chapter 12 Planets-There's Always Just One More to Explore
A tour of the major planets: Tatooine and Coruscant, Vulcan and Romulus, and outward 137
Chapter 13 Space Stations-Home Away From Home
Planets aren't the only place to live out in space 149
Chapter 14 Time and Space-They Wait for No One
From the Old Republic to the Mirror Universe, which universe has the greatest history-or the most damaged 161
Part IV Society and Culture
Chapter 15 Government-The Man's Always with Us
Who has the best political system to live under? 175
Chapter 16 Religion-A Higher Power
The Force and dozens of religions and cults pervade both universes 187
Chapter 17 Culture-It Makes Life Worth Living
From the music of the cantina on Mos Eisley to three-dimensional chess on the Enterprise 199
Part V Prepare for Impact
Chapter 18 Fortune and Glory-What All Adventurers Seek
What treasures await those who boldly go? Whether to Hoth or Risa 213
Chapter 19 Who Won?
Who comes out a winner in this epic clash of universes 225
Chapter 20 The War on Trek
What would happen if the two series clashed? 227
Index 235