Everyone Worthy of Weilding Mjölnir

There has been much debate over who has actually wielded the famous Mjölnir: who is worthy? This is going to be a definitive list from the primary continuity, one-shots, and alternate universes. To be clear, this is 616 only, because that universe is the only true canon. So here we go! Everyone besides Thor that is or has ever been worthy of wielding Mjölnir.

1978-1988

In 1978, Thor #276 showed that the first person besides Thor himself to wield the hammer was Roger Norvell. Norvell was really just an alternate version of Thor that was essentially created to die in Thor’s place. 

In 1983, Thor #337 shows Beta Ray Bill picking up the hammer. The importance of Beta Ray picking up the hammer is that it clarifies what “worthy” means. The way that non-fiction mortals see it has nothing to do with who the hammer deems worthy. In order to be worthy you must be so according to Norse tradition: that means being a warrior willing to kill, if necessary. They’ve got to be noble. This was arguably the most important story about someone besides Thor wielding Mjölnir. 

In Thor #355 from 1985, Thor’s great-grandfather lifts the hammer implying that worthiness is somewhat hereditary considering that we’ve already seen Odin wield it. 

In 1988’s Thor #390 we finally see Captain America lift the hammer. Now this one is a fan favorite and one we have gotten to see on screen in the MCU. This also opened up the possibility of anyone in the MCU being worthy. The cool part about this in the comics is that it further solidified the leadership and power that Captain America possesses. 

1991-2016

Moving on to 1991, in Thor #433, Eric Masterson is the next one to wield Mjölnir. Otherwise known as Thunderstrike, Masterson is used as the God of Thunder’s alter ego. He then becomes his own character and is used more like a surrogate for the God of Thunder, even at one point taking his place in the Avengers. 

In Thor #600 from 2009, Thor’s grandfather wields the hammer, completely solidifying that worthiness is in fact, bloodline related. 

2014, in Loki: Agent of Asgard #9 and Avengers vs X-Men: Axis #9, Loki wields the hammer. To be fair this happens because that storyline includes all of the heroes and villains having their moralities inverted, and as soon as that was fixed he lost the ability. 

In 2015 we finally got the first woman to wield the hammer in Thor vol. 4, #8: Jane Foster. Due to her cancer diagnosis, Jane becomes worthy of the hammer and in her Thor state no longer feels the effect of her illness (that is until she returns back to being fully human). This was actually done very well in the MCU though the general response was similar to the response to its pen and ink counterpart. The original comic was not received well, and Marvel actually got many complaints about Jane (and a woman in general) wielding the hammer, yet the book was a best-seller for over a month. 

In 2016, and in the first non-Thor title, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Beats up the Marvel Universe shows Squirrel Girl wielding the hammer. She is famous for beating just about everyone with no rhyme or reason (ya know like Batman). Marvel simply leans into the ridiculousness and it’s great. 

2020-2021

In 2020’s Avengers vol. 8, #36, Black Panther lifts the hammer. This is in the main continuity but in a different version of the Avengers. Something that only makes sense in the world of comics. 

And finally in 2021, King in Black #5 brings us Eddie Brock wielding Mjölnir. This did happen with the help of Enigma Force so really that’s what’s worthy of wielding the hammer but Eddie Brock was it’s vessel. 

Clearly there are a lot of extenuating circumstances and conditions that dictate worthiness, and Thor is not the only character that has ever been considered worthy. In fact he has lost the ability several times. As more characters are created I’m sure that we will see this list grow. And hopefully the fan response will ease itself as well.