5 Surprising Characters Who Can Wield Thor’s Hammer (And 5 Surprising Characters Who Can’t)

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Thor is known as the deity of thunder, ruler of Asgard, and one of the mightiest and honorable Avengers. In times of crisis when everything appears to be collapsing, Marvel’s heroes rely on Thor to lead the charge, wielding his powerful hammer Mjolnir while a clap of thunder echoes. You’d always prefer Thor by your side, yet there are instances where he is absent or his abilities aren’t sufficient to secure victory. On such occasions, his power may need to be transferred to another hero to conclude the battle, and though the list isn’t extensive, there are indeed a handful of heroes who have managed to lift Mjolnir, an accomplishment only for the worthy ones.

Absolutely, there are some characters who surprise us by being able to wield Mjolnir, while others appear perfectly capable yet haven’t demonstrated this ability so far, which is quite unfortunate. This list will highlight not only five under-the-radar users of Thor’s hammer but also five individuals who seem destined to lift it, but haven’t managed to do so as of now.

1) Can: Silver Surfer

In a cosmic journey spanning countless centuries, Galactus’s most recognized Herald, the Silver Surfer, soared through the stars, attempting to warn planets of their impending doom at the hands of their devouring master. Despite his eventual rebellion against this monstrous overlord, the Surfer bore witness to billions perishing due to Galactus’s insatiable hunger. One might assume that his prolonged reluctance to fight would tarnish his worthiness. However, in a future presented in volume two of Thanos, the Mad Titan had almost conquered the entire universe, with only the Silver Surfer remaining as the last line of defense. Realizing he could not defeat Thanos alone, the Surfer spent eons refining and redeeming himself, eventually earning the right to wield Mjolnir in a valiant effort to save the universe. Although he ultimately lost that battle, he demonstrated that even with his past errors, he had the capacity to improve and rise above them.

2) Can’t: Captain America (Sam Wilson)

It’s common knowledge that Steve Rogers is capable of wielding Thor’s hammer due to being among the first significant superheroes to achieve this feat. However, there is no evidence so far suggesting that Sam Wilson shares this ability. Despite taking over as Captain America and embodying the same ideals – striving for a better world through understanding and fighting for justice – just like Steve, it remains uncertain whether Sam can lift Mjolnir until we see him attempt to do so.

3) Can: Storm

In the primary storyline, Storm has managed to handle Mjolnir on two occasions, although these instances are debatable when it comes to proving her worthiness. The first occurrence was in issue #3 of X-Men To Serve and Protect, where she used a magical hammer called Stormcaster, crafted by Loki, which bore some resemblance to Thor’s powers. However, the hammer was cursed and tried to dominate Storm. To free herself from its grasp, Storm seized Mjolnir from Thor’s hand and together they destroyed Stormcaster. The second instance unfolded in Immortal Thor #4, where Thor bestowed his power and hammer upon his most trusted allies to form the Thor Corps, among them being Storm. Nevertheless, Storm wielded the hammer alongside Loki, who is certainly not worthy, and the narrative suggested that Thor was more inclined to share his power than Odin. The question of her worthiness remains unanswered in these instances, but considering she has lifted Mjolnir twice, I’d argue that Storm deserves equal recognition as any other hero. Until further evidence proves otherwise, I maintain that Storm is equally worthy.

4) Can’t: Cyclops

In essence, Cyclops, the de facto leader of the X-Men, has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to his convictions over the years. He embodies a soldier’s spirit, battling monstrous adversaries and a world that often despises mutants, striving to create a safer world for both mutants and humans. Despite occasional lapses where he has assumed roles as villain or anti-hero, he primarily stands strong as an unyielding bulwark against evil.

While his steadfastness warrants respect, there are just enough flaws that him not being worthy of the hammer seems plausible. The intrigue lies in the possibility of him wielding it someday, but for now, he remains unable to do so.

5) Can: Squirrel Girl

In a surprising twist, even the invincible Squirrel Girl, who has bested some of Marvel’s mightiest adversaries such as Doctor Doom and Thanos, encountered her match in “The Unbeatable Squirl Girl Beats Up The Marvel Universe.” This unique storyline saw Squirrel Girl divided into two identical versions: Doreen and Allene. Initially, the duo were the best of friends; however, Allene succumbed to madness and began advocating for squirrels’ dominance over Earth.

In her rampage, Allene defeated every hero and villain in Marvel, culminating in a decisive showdown between the two squirrel-loving protagonists. As all seemed lost, Squirrel Girl’s loyal rodent companion Tippy-Toe transported Mjolnir to them. Unlike her deranged counterpart, Doreen was able to wield the hammer effectively. With the power of Thor at her disposal, Squirrel Girl overcame herself, proving that her most formidable foe is none other than herself.

6) Can’t: Spider-Man

Spider-Man is often considered among, or even the top hero within, the Marvel Universe. This isn’t just a fan perspective; it’s a belief shared by most superheroes and villains who encounter Spider-Man. Despite being an inspiration and embodying the ideal qualities of a hero, Spidey can’t lift Mjolnir. The reason is that Mjolnir doesn’t solely evaluate worthiness based on being good; it also considers factors rooted in Norse mythology. To lift Mjolnir, one must not only be honorable and fight for justice, but also possess the spirit of a warrior and be prepared to kill enemies when mercy appears unattainable. Since Spider-Man refuses to kill even his most malicious adversaries, he remains unworthy of Mjolnir, yet deserving of being called one of the greatest heroes in history, in my opinion.

7) Can: Thunderstrike

Many avid Thor fans recognize Donald Blake, the human disguise that Thor sometimes assumes. However, fewer are aware that the god of thunder once had a completely different persona: Eric Masterson. In issue #406 of Thor, the Asgardian prince was on the brink of being killed by Mongoose, but his friend Eric managed to pick up Mjolnir and use it to battle the supervillain. Although he lost his life at Mongoose’s hands, Odin was so moved by Eric’s bravery that he merged their spirits and bodies. At a later time, when Thor was banished and the two were separated, Eric took on the role of Thor himself until he eventually received his own enchanted hammer and title in issue #459, becoming known as Thunderstrike.

8) Can’t: Black Panther

T’Challa and Thor share numerous parallels, as they both rule their realms with a steadfast dedication to protect their citizens, while also striving to improve the world as selfless heroes. They grasp the weight of leadership and difficult decision-making better than most, and T’Challa consistently demonstrates the courage of a hero and the valor of a warrior. However, he remains incapable of wielding Mjolnir. Fascinatingly, in Avengers volume eight #36, it was disclosed that Mjolnir would refrain from attacking T’Challa due to his ancestry, since one of his forebears once yielded the powerful hammer. This suggests he may have the ability to lift it someday, but for now, we lack concrete evidence. Nonetheless, this is quite an intriguing twist!

9) Can: Wonder Woman

Although she doesn’t belong to the Marvel Comics Universe, Wonder Woman has proven herself worthy of using Thor’s powers. In the exciting “Marvel vs. DC” collaboration, the two powerhouses’ main characters were pitted against each other in a series of individual battles that were determined by fan votes. The initial clash was between Thor and Captain Marvel (DC’s version), but as the story unfolded, it was revealed that Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, ended up before Wonder Woman, who effortlessly picked it up without any trouble. Empowered by the might of the thunder god, Wonder Woman demonstrated a strength that places her among the most powerful heroes ever portrayed in comics. However, she opted not to fight with Mjolnir, citing an unfair advantage. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get to see her wield it again in future Marvel and DC crossovers, but I certainly hope she does in the future!

10) Can’t: Superman

In summary, at the end of our list comes none other than the Man of Steel, who stands as an enigma because he possesses and lacks the ability to wield Mjolnir. The epic crossover between Marvel’s Avengers and DC’s Justice League (JLA/Avengers) is undeniably the best, portraying the two legendary superhero groups battling against each other and uniting to protect their realities. In a climactic moment during the battle, Thor threw Mjolnir to Superman, which he used to smash his way into Krona’s fortress. However, after the conflict had ended, Superman found that he could no longer lift Mjolnir as usual because Odin granted him a unique exception considering the circumstances. Thus, while Superman utilized Mjolnir and gained Thor’s power, he remains unworthy to wield it conventionally. This is consistent with the fact that like Spider-Man, Superman has a heroic heart, not a warrior’s spirit.

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2025-07-17 16:17