The Star Trek vs. Star Wars showdown peaked in the mid-1980s, when it was another front in the rivalry between Marvel and DC Comics for industry supremacy. In this era, comics carried the torch for both major sci-fi franchises, keeping Trek and Star Wars in the pop culture consciousness, and helping to ensure their survival.

Marvel published the original run of Star Wars comics from 1977-1986. That same year was arguably the high point of Trek's '80s comic run at DC.

In both cases, the comics helped create their franchises' respective Expanded Universes, while defining the rivalry between Star Trek and Star Wars that would continue for decades.

The Great Star Trek/Star Wars Divide Was Truly At Its Peak In The 1980s

When Marvel's Star Wars And DC's

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