The Green Lanterns Corps are one of the most elite peace-keeping forces in the reality of DC Comics. Only the bravest and most honest of sentient beings are selected to wield the Power Ring of the Green Lantern. However, it is not enough to be chosen. Prospective Lanterns must also prove their worth after an intensive boot camp. Perhaps not coincidentally, one core part of this basic training resembles a famous test from the world of Star Trek.
This test is examined in detail in Green Lantern Corps #10. Written by Morgan Hampton, with art by Ig Guara, Fernando Pasarin, Will Conrad, and Oclair Albert, the issue finds Guy Gardner and Kilowog training some new recruits. To the surprise of the new Lanterns, their training begins with an endurance test that requires them to remove their Power Rings. However, that is only the start of a test that will seem oddly familiar to Star Trek fans.
What Star Trek idea did the Green Lantern Corps adapt?
Once the new recruits were exhausted from running an obstacle course, Guy Gardner attacked them with a large construct. This, they were informed by Kilowog, was the Aleta Zahir. They were then instructed to overcome the construct, despite being completely unarmed.
This test bears more than a passing resemblance to the Kobayashi Maru test from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Every Starfleet cadet is run through a simulation, in which they are charged with rescuing a ship that is stranded in neutral territory and under fire. The test is meant to be an unwinnable fight and is used to gauge how prospective officers handle failure.
The Aleta Zahir test of the Green Lantern Corps is similar, but serves another purpose. Beyond testing new recruits’ ability to work under fire, it also teaches them how to work together. Also, it teaches them how to rely on their natural abilities, improvise, and not be dependent on their Power Ring.
Green Lantern Corps #10 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
