Mjolnir (comics)
Encyclopedia
Mjolnir is a fictional weapon that appears in publications from Marvel Comics
. It is the favored weapon of the superhero
Thor
. The weapon, which first appears in Journey into Mystery
#83, published in August 1962, was created by writer Stan Lee
and designed by artists Jack Kirby
and Joe Sinnott
.
Mjolnir is typically depicted as a large, square-headed gray war hammer
, although it more closely resembles a short-handled maul
or sledgehammer
rather than a standard war hammer, which typically have much smaller heads than Mjolnir, with a flat end on one side and a spike on the other. It has a short, round handle wrapped in brown leather, culminating in a looped lanyard. The object is based on Mjöllnir, the weapon of the mythical Norse
god. The hammer's name translates as "The Crusher."
#83 (Aug. 1962), and was immediately established as the main weapon of the Thunder god Thor
. The weapon's origin is revealed in Thor Annual #11 (1983), although another version is presented in Thor vol. 2, #80 (Aug. 2004).
Other significant moments in Marvel continuity include the altering of Mjolnir's enchantments in Thor #282 (April 1979) and Thor #340 (Feb. 1984); the temporary possession of Mjolnir by a member of the Enchanters Three
in Thor vol. 3, #14–15 (Aug.–Sep. 1999); and when the hammer has been damaged, occurring in Journey Into Mystery #119 (Aug. 1965); Avengers
#215 (Jan. 1982); Thor #388 (Feb. 1988);Thor vol. 2, #11 (May 1999); Thor vol. 2, #80 (Aug. 2004) and Thor vol. 3, #600 (Feb. 2009).
s, and is composed of the fictional Asgardian metal "uru". The side of the hammer carries the inscription: "Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor."
The hammer is created when Thor's adopted brother Loki
cuts off the hair of the goddess Sif as part of a cruel jest, and when threatened with violence by Thor, promises to fetch replacement hair from the dwarf smiths. Loki commissions the hair from the Sons of Ivaldi and the obliging dwarves also make a magic ship
and spear
as gifts for the gods. Loki is convinced that no one can match their workmanship, and challenges a dwarf named Eitri
to make finer treasures. Eitri creates a golden ring and golden boar
with magic
al properties, and finally begins work on a hammer. Loki panics at the sight of the treasures, and afraid he will lose the wager, transforms himself into a mayfly
and stings Eitri's assistant on the brow as he is working the bellows
for the forge
. The assistant stops for a moment to wipe away the blood, and the bellows fall flat – the end result being making the hammer's handle shorter in length than Eitri originally intended.
Despite the error, the Norse gods consider Eitri to have forged the greater treasures, and in retaliation the Sons of Ivaldi sew Loki's lips shut. The ruler of the Norse gods, Odin, uses the hammer – called Mjolnir by Eitri – and eventually passes it to his son Thor, who must first prove he is worthy to wield the weapon.
Another version of the hammer's origin is presented in the second volume of the title Thor, stating that Odin orders the dwarven blacksmiths Eitri, Brok and Buri to forge Mjolnir using the core of a star
(the movie
reinforces that with Odin saying it was forged out of a dying star
) and an enchanted forge. The forging of the hammer is apparently so intense it destroys the star and nearly the Earth itself.
Mjolnir itself has several enchantments: no living being may lift the hammer unless deemed worthy by Odin or if they simply are worthy enough; it returns to the exact spot from which it is thrown and returns to Thor when summoned; it may summon the elements of storm (lightning
, wind
, and rain
) by stamping its handle twice on the ground; manipulate the weather on an almost global scale;
open interdimensional portals, allowing its wielder to travel to other dimensions (such as from Earth to Asgard); and transform Thor into the guise of a mortal, the physician Donald Blake
, by stamping the hammer's head on the ground once. When Thor transforms into Blake, his hammer takes the appearance of a wooden walking stick. When disguised, the hammer's enchantments limiting those who may lift it are not in effect. The hammer itself has also proven unaffected by external enchantments. It is near-indestructible, surviving bullets, Anti-matter, and the Melter's melting beam.
A previous provision of this enchantment required that the hammer could not be "gone from Thor's grasp," or out of physical contact with Thor for more than "sixty seconds full" without his spontaneous reversion to his mortal self; fortunately, Mjolnir is small enough for the god to tuck it into his belt for times when he prefers to have both his hands free. In some stories this limitation did not apply in Asgard, although this stipulation was removed in a storyline in which this enchantment is transferred to Stormbreaker, the hammer of Beta Ray Bill
. After this, the Donald Blake persona disappeared for a time, and Thor assumed a civilian identity simply by changing into modern clothing, carrying Mjolnir concealed within a duffel bag
. Thor eventually adopts the mortal persona of Jake Olson as penance for accidentally causing the original Olson's death during a fight, and simply pounds a fist to effect a change; during this time, Mjolnir would disappear when Thor became Olson, and reappear in Thor's fist when returning to his true form.
Mjolnir was originally capable of creating chronal displacement and therefore allowing time travel
, although this enchantment was removed by the entity Immortus
with the Thunder god's consent to help the planet Phantus which was trapped in Limbo. Thor, however is still apparently able to manipulate time with Mjolnir.
When Ragnarok
took place, Mjolnir is separated from Thor and fell through the dimensions, creating a tear in Hell that allows Doctor Doom to escape (Doom having been imprisoned there after his last encounter with the Fantastic Four). Although Doom and the FF attempt to claim the hammer, none of them are able to lift it, resulting in Donald Blake--who had been returned to life when the spell negating his existence wore off with Asgard's destruction--claiming it himself. With Blake and Thor once again co-existing, the hammer resums its original 'disguise' of a walking-stick (although Blake's original limp healed, he sustained minor spine damage during a later confrontation). The hammer is later damaged in a fight with Borr, Thor's grandfather. Doctor Strange
is able to repair the hammer using the Odinforce possessed by Thor, but warns Thor that, should the hammer be damaged in such a manner again, the new link between them could result in Thor being killed himself.
Beta Ray Bill
; Buri (also known as Tiwaz, and Thor's great-grandfather); Avenger Captain America
; Eric Masterson
; Odin and Borr (Odin's Father); Miguel O'Hara
;
The hammer has also been lifted by various sentient constructs (non-sentient machines apparently cannot), such as Zarrko the Tomorrow Man
's mining robot; the Air-Walker
(animated by the soul of Nova Corps
captain Gabriel Lan); and the Awesome Android (by mimicking Thor's abilities and worthy nature). The hammer has also been lifted by Earth itself when animated via magical means.
There are also several other non-canon instances of other characters lifting the hammer, including: Conan the Barbarian
; Dargo Ktor (Future Thor); Loki; Magni
; Rogue
; Woden; Alex Power; and the DC Comics
characters Superman
(though he was unable to later that issue and Thor claimed Odin had briefly lifted the enchantment) and Wonder Woman
.
Several imitations of Mjolnir have also existed. These include Stormbreaker and the mace Thunderstrike
, created for Beta Ray Bill
and Eric Masterson
respectively. Loki has been responsible for the creation of several imitations – a version of Mjolnir is presented to the mutant X-Men member Storm in an attempt to control her, while another version is given to the mercenary
Deadpool
to spite Thor. Loki also allows Surtur to use the forge Mjolnir was created from to craft copies during Ragnarok. H.Y.D.R.A. created evil versions of Iron Man
, Captain America
, Hawkeye
and Thor
, the Thor imitator had a technological imitation of Mjolnir.
Tony Stark
and Reed Richards also create a technological imitation Mjolnir for use by Ragnarok
, the clone of Thor, during the Civil War
storyline.
Captain America wields Mjolnir at the climax of the Fear Itself
event, after Thor's "death". He bellows "Avengers Assemble" and leads the cavalry to victory.
Described as impacting with sufficient force to "destroy mountains," with only primary adamantium proving too impervious. Other offensive capabilities include creating vortices and forcefields (capable of containing an explosion that could potentially destroy a galaxy
); emitting mystical blasts of energy; controlling electromagnetism; molecular manipulation; and generating the Geo-Blast (an energy wave that taps a planet's gravitational force), Anti-Force (energy created to counter-act another force), the thermo-blast which can even challenge such beings as Ego the living planet, and god Blast (a blast that taps into Thor's life force). The hammer can travel through planets to return to Thor. It can even create Anti-Matter particles and whirling it round can create wind powerful enough to lift the Taj Mahal.
There are also other several rarely used abilities. Mjolnir can track a person and mystical items; absorb energy, such as draining the Asgardian powers of the Wrecking Crew into the Wrecker; or detect illusion
s, as Thor once commanded the hammer to strike the demonic Mephisto
, who was hiding amongst false images of himself. As a former religious relic
, Mjolnir is lethal to undead
, causing creatures such as vampire
s to burst into flame and crumble to dust. Mjolnir also can project images, as Thor shows a glimpse of Asgard to fellow Avenger Iron Man
.. The hammer can also take a fixed position out of that usual forces cannot move it (standing at the angle on pile of soft soil, it appears much more fixed than just very heavy)
The hammer has also drained energy from the radioactive supervillain called the Presence
, who is forced to surrender before being killed. Mjolnir was able to absorb, contain, and direct the energy of a Null Bomb, which was powerful enough to destroy an entire galaxy. Mjolnir also causes a side effect when used against the hero Union Jack
: when Thor erroneously attacks the hero with a blast of lightning and then cancels the offensive, Union Jack is accidentally endowed with the ability to generate electricity. The hammer has been used to both power an Atlantean warship and temporarily drain the forcefield of the villain Juggernaut
. If someone swears on the hammer their spirit can be summoned up after death. As well as absorbing radiation, the hammer can repel it back.
But Mjolnir is also not indestructible, having been damaged several times: a force beam from the Asgardian Destroyer
slices it in two; the Molecule Man
dispels the atomic bonds between the hammer's molecules, vaporizing Mjolnir; the hammer shatters after channeling an unmeasurable amount of energy at the Celestial Exitar; Dark god Perrikus
slices Mjolnir in half with a magical scythe
; and the hammer is shattered when it collides with the uru weapons of Loki's Storm Giant followers, resulting in an atomic
-scale explosion. Mjolnir is damaged in battle when Thor defeats his own grandfather Bor, but is repaired by mystic
Doctor Strange
, who transfers the Odinforce from Thor into the hammer. This ties Thor's lifeforce to Mjolnir.
, landing in the Rhine river where it transformed into the magical Rhinegold.
In a future visited by the Hulk
where Earth had been decimated by nuclear wars, Thor's hammer was one of the many mementos of the age of heroes kept by the now-elderly Rick Jones
; the Maestro- the Hulk's twisted future self- attempted to use the hammer against the Hulk, but failed to lift it even with Thor's death as he was naturally unworthy to do so. A later storyline featured the elder Rick working with his younger self to defeat Thanatos- another alternate Rick- by using his own ability to lift the hammer, explaining that he had been judged worthy to use it for things that young Rick had yet to do and Thanatos would never achieve.
In the Ultimate Marvel
imprint
title the Ultimates
first two series, the alternate universe
version of Thor wields a weapon that while called Mjolnir is a hybrid of hammer and axe. In The Ultimates 3: Who Killed The Scarlet Witch, Thor wields a hammer more closely resembling the mainstream Marvel Universe
Mjolnir. He later displays a wall of weapons, including both hammers, which he states were gifts from his father forged by Ulik
the Troll. However in the miniseries Ultimate Comics: Thor
it is revealed that the original axe hammer is no longer necessary, as it's not the "real" Mjolnir but instead Dr. Braddock gives Thor, tech-armor, and Thor suggests to turn the power supply into a hammer. It is stated that this version of the hammer is not restricted by the worthiness test.
. S.H.I.E.L.D.
Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg
) is seen looking into a giant crater in the New Mexico
desert and informs Nick Fury
: "Sir, we've found it." The hammer is then shown standing head-down as the camera pulls back. This discovery is elaborated on in the film Thor
, which reveals that Odin banished Thor and Mjolnir to Earth after Thor triggered war between Asgard and Jotunheim. With Odin having enchanted Mjolnir so that it may only be lifted by the worthy, Thor is initially unable to lift it, but the hammer returns to him when Thor shows that he is willing to sacrifice himself for others when facing the Destroyer
.
Publicity photos for the upcoming film The Avengers feature Thor wielding Mjolnir.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. It is the favored weapon of the superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
. The weapon, which first appears in Journey into Mystery
Journey into Mystery
Journey into Mystery was an American comic book series published by Atlas Comics, and later its successor Marvel Comics. It featured horror, monster, and science fiction stories...
#83, published in August 1962, was created by writer Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and designed by artists Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
and Joe Sinnott
Joe Sinnott
Joe Sinnott is an American comic book artist. Working primarily as an inker, Sinnott is best-known for his long stint on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, from 1965 to 1981 , initially over the pencils of industry legend Jack Kirby...
.
Mjolnir is typically depicted as a large, square-headed gray war hammer
War hammer
A war hammer is a late medieval weapon of war intended for close combat action, the design of which resembles the hammer.The war hammer consists of a handle and a head...
, although it more closely resembles a short-handled maul
Spike maul
A Spike Maul is a type of hand tool used to drive railroad spikes in railroad track work.Spike mauls are akin to the sledge hammer, typically weighing from with a long handle.They have an elongated double faced hardened steel head...
or sledgehammer
Sledgehammer
A sledgehammer is a tool consisting of a large, flat head attached to a lever . The head is typically made of metal. The sledgehammer can apply more impulse than other hammers, due to its large size. Along with the mallet, it shares the ability to distribute force over a wide area...
rather than a standard war hammer, which typically have much smaller heads than Mjolnir, with a flat end on one side and a spike on the other. It has a short, round handle wrapped in brown leather, culminating in a looped lanyard. The object is based on Mjöllnir, the weapon of the mythical Norse
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
god. The hammer's name translates as "The Crusher."
Publication history
Mjolnir debuted in Journey into MysteryJourney into Mystery
Journey into Mystery was an American comic book series published by Atlas Comics, and later its successor Marvel Comics. It featured horror, monster, and science fiction stories...
#83 (Aug. 1962), and was immediately established as the main weapon of the Thunder god Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
. The weapon's origin is revealed in Thor Annual #11 (1983), although another version is presented in Thor vol. 2, #80 (Aug. 2004).
Other significant moments in Marvel continuity include the altering of Mjolnir's enchantments in Thor #282 (April 1979) and Thor #340 (Feb. 1984); the temporary possession of Mjolnir by a member of the Enchanters Three
Enchanters Three
The Enchanters Three are fictional characters that appear in comic books published byMarvel Comics. The Enchanters Three first appear in Thor #143-144 , and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
in Thor vol. 3, #14–15 (Aug.–Sep. 1999); and when the hammer has been damaged, occurring in Journey Into Mystery #119 (Aug. 1965); Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
#215 (Jan. 1982); Thor #388 (Feb. 1988);Thor vol. 2, #11 (May 1999); Thor vol. 2, #80 (Aug. 2004) and Thor vol. 3, #600 (Feb. 2009).
Background
In Marvel continuity, Mjolnir is forged by Dwarven blacksmithBlacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
s, and is composed of the fictional Asgardian metal "uru". The side of the hammer carries the inscription: "Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor."
The hammer is created when Thor's adopted brother Loki
Loki (comics)
Loki is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. He is the adoptive brother and archenemy of the superhero Thor. He is based on the being of the same name from Norse mythology...
cuts off the hair of the goddess Sif as part of a cruel jest, and when threatened with violence by Thor, promises to fetch replacement hair from the dwarf smiths. Loki commissions the hair from the Sons of Ivaldi and the obliging dwarves also make a magic ship
Ship
Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...
and spear
Spear
A spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a pointed head.The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with bamboo spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fastened to the shaft, such as flint, obsidian, iron, steel or...
as gifts for the gods. Loki is convinced that no one can match their workmanship, and challenges a dwarf named Eitri
Eitri
In Norse mythology, Eitri is a dwarf and the brother of Brokkr.According to Skáldskaparmál, when Loki had Sif's hair, Freyr's ship Skidbladnir and Odin's spear Gungnir fashioned by the Sons of Ivaldi, he bet his own head with Brokkr that Eitri would not have been able to make items that matched...
to make finer treasures. Eitri creates a golden ring and golden boar
Boar
Wild boar, also wild pig, is a species of the pig genus Sus, part of the biological family Suidae. The species includes many subspecies. It is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig, an animal with which it freely hybridises...
with magic
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
al properties, and finally begins work on a hammer. Loki panics at the sight of the treasures, and afraid he will lose the wager, transforms himself into a mayfly
Mayfly
Mayflies are insects which belong to the Order Ephemeroptera . They have been placed into an ancient group of insects termed the Palaeoptera, which also contains dragonflies and damselflies...
and stings Eitri's assistant on the brow as he is working the bellows
Bellows
A bellows is a device for delivering pressurized air in a controlled quantity to a controlled location.Basically, a bellows is a deformable container which has an outlet nozzle. When the volume of the bellows is decreased, the air escapes through the outlet...
for the forge
Forge
A forge is a hearth used for forging. The term "forge" can also refer to the workplace of a smith or a blacksmith, although the term smithy is then more commonly used.The basic smithy contains a forge, also known as a hearth, for heating metals...
. The assistant stops for a moment to wipe away the blood, and the bellows fall flat – the end result being making the hammer's handle shorter in length than Eitri originally intended.
Despite the error, the Norse gods consider Eitri to have forged the greater treasures, and in retaliation the Sons of Ivaldi sew Loki's lips shut. The ruler of the Norse gods, Odin, uses the hammer – called Mjolnir by Eitri – and eventually passes it to his son Thor, who must first prove he is worthy to wield the weapon.
Another version of the hammer's origin is presented in the second volume of the title Thor, stating that Odin orders the dwarven blacksmiths Eitri, Brok and Buri to forge Mjolnir using the core of a star
Star
A star is a massive, luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity. At the end of its lifetime, a star can also contain a proportion of degenerate matter. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun, which is the source of most of the energy on Earth...
(the movie
Thor (film)
Thor is a 2011 American superhero film based on the comic book character of the same name published by Marvel Comics. It is the fourth film released as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe...
reinforces that with Odin saying it was forged out of a dying star
Neutron star
A neutron star is a type of stellar remnant that can result from the gravitational collapse of a massive star during a Type II, Type Ib or Type Ic supernova event. Such stars are composed almost entirely of neutrons, which are subatomic particles without electrical charge and with a slightly larger...
) and an enchanted forge. The forging of the hammer is apparently so intense it destroys the star and nearly the Earth itself.
Mjolnir itself has several enchantments: no living being may lift the hammer unless deemed worthy by Odin or if they simply are worthy enough; it returns to the exact spot from which it is thrown and returns to Thor when summoned; it may summon the elements of storm (lightning
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
, wind
Wind
Wind is the flow of gases on a large scale. On Earth, wind consists of the bulk movement of air. In outer space, solar wind is the movement of gases or charged particles from the sun through space, while planetary wind is the outgassing of light chemical elements from a planet's atmosphere into space...
, and rain
Rain
Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to non-liquid kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of the atmosphere to have temperatures above the melting point of water near and above the Earth's surface...
) by stamping its handle twice on the ground; manipulate the weather on an almost global scale;
open interdimensional portals, allowing its wielder to travel to other dimensions (such as from Earth to Asgard); and transform Thor into the guise of a mortal, the physician Donald Blake
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
, by stamping the hammer's head on the ground once. When Thor transforms into Blake, his hammer takes the appearance of a wooden walking stick. When disguised, the hammer's enchantments limiting those who may lift it are not in effect. The hammer itself has also proven unaffected by external enchantments. It is near-indestructible, surviving bullets, Anti-matter, and the Melter's melting beam.
A previous provision of this enchantment required that the hammer could not be "gone from Thor's grasp," or out of physical contact with Thor for more than "sixty seconds full" without his spontaneous reversion to his mortal self; fortunately, Mjolnir is small enough for the god to tuck it into his belt for times when he prefers to have both his hands free. In some stories this limitation did not apply in Asgard, although this stipulation was removed in a storyline in which this enchantment is transferred to Stormbreaker, the hammer of Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Thor #337 and was created by writer-artist Walt Simonson....
. After this, the Donald Blake persona disappeared for a time, and Thor assumed a civilian identity simply by changing into modern clothing, carrying Mjolnir concealed within a duffel bag
Duffel bag
A duffel bag is a large cylindrical bag made of cloth with a drawstring closure at the top....
. Thor eventually adopts the mortal persona of Jake Olson as penance for accidentally causing the original Olson's death during a fight, and simply pounds a fist to effect a change; during this time, Mjolnir would disappear when Thor became Olson, and reappear in Thor's fist when returning to his true form.
Mjolnir was originally capable of creating chronal displacement and therefore allowing time travel
Time travel
Time travel is the concept of moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space. Time travel could hypothetically involve moving backward in time to a moment earlier than the starting point, or forward to the future of that point without the...
, although this enchantment was removed by the entity Immortus
Immortus
Immortus is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. He is the future self of Kang the Conqueror, and first appeared in Avengers #10, and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
with the Thunder god's consent to help the planet Phantus which was trapped in Limbo. Thor, however is still apparently able to manipulate time with Mjolnir.
When Ragnarok
Ragnarök
In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures , the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water...
took place, Mjolnir is separated from Thor and fell through the dimensions, creating a tear in Hell that allows Doctor Doom to escape (Doom having been imprisoned there after his last encounter with the Fantastic Four). Although Doom and the FF attempt to claim the hammer, none of them are able to lift it, resulting in Donald Blake--who had been returned to life when the spell negating his existence wore off with Asgard's destruction--claiming it himself. With Blake and Thor once again co-existing, the hammer resums its original 'disguise' of a walking-stick (although Blake's original limp healed, he sustained minor spine damage during a later confrontation). The hammer is later damaged in a fight with Borr, Thor's grandfather. Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
is able to repair the hammer using the Odinforce possessed by Thor, but warns Thor that, should the hammer be damaged in such a manner again, the new link between them could result in Thor being killed himself.
Other wielders
Mjolnir has been wielded by a select number of other individuals: alienExtraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Thor #337 and was created by writer-artist Walt Simonson....
; Buri (also known as Tiwaz, and Thor's great-grandfather); Avenger Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
; Eric Masterson
Thunderstrike (Eric Masterson)
Eric Masterson is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe, a superhero that has appeared as Thor and later Thunderstrike. The character was introduced as a supporting character in the Thor title, but continued in several other comic books, including the self-titled series Thunderstrike...
; Odin and Borr (Odin's Father); Miguel O'Hara
Spider-Man 2099
Spider-Man 2099 is a fictional comic book superhero, created by Peter David and Rick Leonardi in 1992 for Marvel Comics' Marvel 2099 line. His secret alter ego is Miguel O'Hara, a brilliant geneticist living in New York in the year 2099 A.D...
;
The hammer has also been lifted by various sentient constructs (non-sentient machines apparently cannot), such as Zarrko the Tomorrow Man
Zarrko
Zarrko, the Tomorrow Man is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain, most commonly associated with Thor. The character was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Journey into Mystery #86 .-Fictional character biography:...
's mining robot; the Air-Walker
Air-Walker
The Air-Walker is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics...
(animated by the soul of Nova Corps
Nova (comics)
Nova is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Upon becoming a member of the galaxy's Nova Corps , the youth gained enhanced strength, flight, injury resistance, and a specialized uniform with life support.In May 2011, Nova placed 98th on IGN's Top 100 Comic...
captain Gabriel Lan); and the Awesome Android (by mimicking Thor's abilities and worthy nature). The hammer has also been lifted by Earth itself when animated via magical means.
There are also several other non-canon instances of other characters lifting the hammer, including: Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian is a fictional sword and sorcery hero that originated in pulp fiction magazines and has since been adapted to books, comics, several films , television programs, video games, roleplaying games and other media...
; Dargo Ktor (Future Thor); Loki; Magni
Magni (comics)
Magni is a Marvel Comics character adapted from Magni, a character in Norse mythology, by Dan Jurgens. The character exists in an alternate future in which Thor rules over the entire Earth.-Fictional character biography:...
; Rogue
Rogue (comics)
Rogue was first slated to appear in Ms. Marvel #25 , but the book's abrupt cancellation left her original introduction story unpublished for over a decade, before seeing print in Marvel Super Heroes #11 in 1992. Rogue's first published appearance was in Avengers Annual #10...
; Woden; Alex Power; and the DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
characters Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
(though he was unable to later that issue and Thor claimed Odin had briefly lifted the enchantment) and Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
.
Several imitations of Mjolnir have also existed. These include Stormbreaker and the mace Thunderstrike
Thunderstrike (Eric Masterson)
Eric Masterson is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe, a superhero that has appeared as Thor and later Thunderstrike. The character was introduced as a supporting character in the Thor title, but continued in several other comic books, including the self-titled series Thunderstrike...
, created for Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Thor #337 and was created by writer-artist Walt Simonson....
and Eric Masterson
Thunderstrike (Eric Masterson)
Eric Masterson is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe, a superhero that has appeared as Thor and later Thunderstrike. The character was introduced as a supporting character in the Thor title, but continued in several other comic books, including the self-titled series Thunderstrike...
respectively. Loki has been responsible for the creation of several imitations – a version of Mjolnir is presented to the mutant X-Men member Storm in an attempt to control her, while another version is given to the mercenary
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
Deadpool
Deadpool (comics)
Deadpool is a fictional character, a mercenary and anti-hero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza, Deadpool first appeared in The New Mutants #98 Deadpool (Wade Winston Wilson) is a fictional character, a mercenary and...
to spite Thor. Loki also allows Surtur to use the forge Mjolnir was created from to craft copies during Ragnarok. H.Y.D.R.A. created evil versions of Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
, Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, Hawkeye
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
and Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
, the Thor imitator had a technological imitation of Mjolnir.
Tony Stark
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
and Reed Richards also create a technological imitation Mjolnir for use by Ragnarok
Ragnarok (comics)
Ragnarok is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Civil War #3 , and was created by Mark Millar and Steve Mcniven.-Fictional character biography:...
, the clone of Thor, during the Civil War
Civil War (comics)
Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover storyline built around a self-titled seven-issue limited series written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven, which ran through various other titles published by Marvel at the time...
storyline.
Captain America wields Mjolnir at the climax of the Fear Itself
Fear Itself (comics)
"Fear Itself" is a 2011 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics, consisting of a seven-issue, eponymous miniseries written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger, and Laura Martin, a prologue book by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Scott Eaton, and...
event, after Thor's "death". He bellows "Avengers Assemble" and leads the cavalry to victory.
Powers and abilities
Mjolnir can be used both offensively and defensively.Described as impacting with sufficient force to "destroy mountains," with only primary adamantium proving too impervious. Other offensive capabilities include creating vortices and forcefields (capable of containing an explosion that could potentially destroy a galaxy
Galaxy
A galaxy is a massive, gravitationally bound system that consists of stars and stellar remnants, an interstellar medium of gas and dust, and an important but poorly understood component tentatively dubbed dark matter. The word galaxy is derived from the Greek galaxias , literally "milky", a...
); emitting mystical blasts of energy; controlling electromagnetism; molecular manipulation; and generating the Geo-Blast (an energy wave that taps a planet's gravitational force), Anti-Force (energy created to counter-act another force), the thermo-blast which can even challenge such beings as Ego the living planet, and god Blast (a blast that taps into Thor's life force). The hammer can travel through planets to return to Thor. It can even create Anti-Matter particles and whirling it round can create wind powerful enough to lift the Taj Mahal.
There are also other several rarely used abilities. Mjolnir can track a person and mystical items; absorb energy, such as draining the Asgardian powers of the Wrecking Crew into the Wrecker; or detect illusion
Illusion
An illusion is a distortion of the senses, revealing how the brain normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation. While illusions distort reality, they are generally shared by most people....
s, as Thor once commanded the hammer to strike the demonic Mephisto
Mephisto (comics)
Mephisto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Silver Surfer #3 and was created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, loosely modeled on Mephistopheles - a character from the Faust legend.Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books,...
, who was hiding amongst false images of himself. As a former religious relic
Relic
In religion, a relic is a part of the body of a saint or a venerated person, or else another type of ancient religious object, carefully preserved for purposes of veneration or as a tangible memorial...
, Mjolnir is lethal to undead
Undead
Undead is a collective name for fictional, mythological, or legendary beings that are deceased and yet behave as if alive. Undead may be incorporeal, such as ghosts, or corporeal, such as vampires and zombies...
, causing creatures such as vampire
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
s to burst into flame and crumble to dust. Mjolnir also can project images, as Thor shows a glimpse of Asgard to fellow Avenger Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
.. The hammer can also take a fixed position out of that usual forces cannot move it (standing at the angle on pile of soft soil, it appears much more fixed than just very heavy)
The hammer has also drained energy from the radioactive supervillain called the Presence
Presence (Marvel Comics)
Sergei Krylov is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Fictional character biography:As a younger man, Sergei was a Russian nuclear physicist born in Minsk, U.S.S.R...
, who is forced to surrender before being killed. Mjolnir was able to absorb, contain, and direct the energy of a Null Bomb, which was powerful enough to destroy an entire galaxy. Mjolnir also causes a side effect when used against the hero Union Jack
Union Jack (comics)
Union Jack is the name of three fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-James Montgomery Falsworth:The original Union Jack, James Montgomery Falsworth, first appears in comics in The Invaders #7. He was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Frank Robbins. He...
: when Thor erroneously attacks the hero with a blast of lightning and then cancels the offensive, Union Jack is accidentally endowed with the ability to generate electricity. The hammer has been used to both power an Atlantean warship and temporarily drain the forcefield of the villain Juggernaut
Juggernaut (comics)
The Juggernaut is a fictional character that appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Men #12 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
. If someone swears on the hammer their spirit can be summoned up after death. As well as absorbing radiation, the hammer can repel it back.
But Mjolnir is also not indestructible, having been damaged several times: a force beam from the Asgardian Destroyer
Destroyer (Thor)
The Destroyer is a fictional object that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The object first appears in Journey into Mystery #118 The Destroyer is a fictional object that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The object first appears in Journey into Mystery #118 The...
slices it in two; the Molecule Man
Molecule Man
Molecule Man is a fictional character, a supervillain or reluctant hero in the Marvel Comics universe, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four vol. 1, #20.-1960s:...
dispels the atomic bonds between the hammer's molecules, vaporizing Mjolnir; the hammer shatters after channeling an unmeasurable amount of energy at the Celestial Exitar; Dark god Perrikus
Perrikus
Perrikus is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Thor vol. 2, #4 and was created by Dan Jurgens and John Romita Jr.-Publication history:...
slices Mjolnir in half with a magical scythe
Scythe
A scythe is an agricultural hand tool for mowing grass, or reaping crops. It was largely replaced by horse-drawn and then tractor machinery, but is still used in some areas of Europe and Asia. The Grim Reaper is often depicted carrying or wielding a scythe...
; and the hammer is shattered when it collides with the uru weapons of Loki's Storm Giant followers, resulting in an atomic
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
-scale explosion. Mjolnir is damaged in battle when Thor defeats his own grandfather Bor, but is repaired by mystic
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
, who transfers the Odinforce from Thor into the hammer. This ties Thor's lifeforce to Mjolnir.
Other versions
During the Celestial Saga storyline, an earlier version of Mjolnir is revealed to exist and was apparently thrown to Midgard (Earth) by Thor's sons, Modi and MagniMagni (comics)
Magni is a Marvel Comics character adapted from Magni, a character in Norse mythology, by Dan Jurgens. The character exists in an alternate future in which Thor rules over the entire Earth.-Fictional character biography:...
, landing in the Rhine river where it transformed into the magical Rhinegold.
In a future visited by the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
where Earth had been decimated by nuclear wars, Thor's hammer was one of the many mementos of the age of heroes kept by the now-elderly Rick Jones
Rick Jones (comics)
Richard Milhouse "Rick" Jones is a fictional comic book character in the .-Publication history:Rick Jones first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1, as a sidekick to the Incredible Hulk...
; the Maestro- the Hulk's twisted future self- attempted to use the hammer against the Hulk, but failed to lift it even with Thor's death as he was naturally unworthy to do so. A later storyline featured the elder Rick working with his younger self to defeat Thanatos- another alternate Rick- by using his own ability to lift the hammer, explaining that he had been judged worthy to use it for things that young Rick had yet to do and Thanatos would never achieve.
In the Ultimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...
imprint
Imprint
In the publishing industry, an imprint can mean several different things:* As a piece of bibliographic information about a book, it refers to the name and address of the book's publisher and its date of publication as given at the foot or on the verso of its title page.* It can mean a trade name...
title the Ultimates
Ultimates
The Ultimates is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team was created by writer Mark Millar and artist Bryan Hitch, and first appeared in The Ultimates #1 , as part of the company's Ultimate Marvel imprint...
first two series, the alternate universe
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
version of Thor wields a weapon that while called Mjolnir is a hybrid of hammer and axe. In The Ultimates 3: Who Killed The Scarlet Witch, Thor wields a hammer more closely resembling the mainstream Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
Mjolnir. He later displays a wall of weapons, including both hammers, which he states were gifts from his father forged by Ulik
Ulik
Ulik is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Ulik was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and first appears in Thor #137 ....
the Troll. However in the miniseries Ultimate Comics: Thor
Ultimate Comics: Thor
Ultimate Comics: Thor is a comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics that debuted in October 2010. The series was written by Jonathan Hickman, current writer of Fantastic Four, S.H.I.E.L.D., and Secret Warriors, with art by Carlos Pacheco.In an interview, Hickman said that the series...
it is revealed that the original axe hammer is no longer necessary, as it's not the "real" Mjolnir but instead Dr. Braddock gives Thor, tech-armor, and Thor suggests to turn the power supply into a hammer. It is stated that this version of the hammer is not restricted by the worthiness test.
In other media
Mjolnir by itself is depicted in a post-credits scene in Iron Man 2Iron Man 2
Iron Man 2 is a 2010 American superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is the sequel to 2008's Iron Man, the second film in a planned trilogy and is a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Jon...
. S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg
Clark Gregg
Robert Clark Gregg is an American actor, screenwriter and director. He co-starred as Christine Campbell's ex-husband Richard in the CBS sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine, which debuted in March 2006 and concluded in May 2010...
) is seen looking into a giant crater in the New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
desert and informs Nick Fury
Nick Fury
Colonel Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury is a fictional World War II army hero and present-day super-spy in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee, Fury first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 , a World War II combat series that portrayed the...
: "Sir, we've found it." The hammer is then shown standing head-down as the camera pulls back. This discovery is elaborated on in the film Thor
Thor (film)
Thor is a 2011 American superhero film based on the comic book character of the same name published by Marvel Comics. It is the fourth film released as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe...
, which reveals that Odin banished Thor and Mjolnir to Earth after Thor triggered war between Asgard and Jotunheim. With Odin having enchanted Mjolnir so that it may only be lifted by the worthy, Thor is initially unable to lift it, but the hammer returns to him when Thor shows that he is willing to sacrifice himself for others when facing the Destroyer
Destroyer (Thor)
The Destroyer is a fictional object that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The object first appears in Journey into Mystery #118 The Destroyer is a fictional object that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The object first appears in Journey into Mystery #118 The...
.
Publicity photos for the upcoming film The Avengers feature Thor wielding Mjolnir.