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Which Avenger Could Lift Thor’s Hammer? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of who can lift Mjolnir, Thor’s enchanted hammer, is a fascinating one that has captivated Marvel fans for years. The hammer’s enchantment, placed by Odin himself, dictates that only those deemed “worthy” can wield its power. This worthiness is not about physical strength alone but encompasses a moral and noble character. So, who among the Avengers meets this criteria? The answer, while seemingly simple, is nuanced and interesting.

The most definitive answer from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is Captain America (Steve Rogers). In the climactic battle of Avengers: Endgame, Captain America not only lifted Mjolnir but wielded its powers against Thanos. This pivotal moment confirmed what comic book readers already knew: Steve Rogers’ inherent selflessness, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice made him worthy of the hammer’s power.

While Cap is the most prominent example, the MCU and Marvel comics have explored other potential wielders, raising interesting questions about the nature of worthiness. Let’s delve deeper into who has lifted Mjolnir and what that means.

Beyond Captain America: Other Worthy Avengers and Characters

Vision:

Early in the MCU, Vision lifted Mjolnir in Avengers: Age of Ultron. This was a surprising moment, as Vision was an artificial intelligence in a newly formed body. His worthiness, it is theorized, stems from his nascent innocence, lack of ego, and pure intent. This made him a stark contrast to most other Avengers and showcased a different aspect of worthiness.

Loki:

While typically the antagonist, Loki has had moments of redemption and change in the Marvel universe. In various comics, he has been deemed worthy, even wielding Mjolnir in battles against Thor. The recent interpretations of Loki have shown his growth and complexity. Loki even wields Mjolnir when it has become too heavy for Thor to carry in one instance.

Alternate Versions and Other Characters:

It’s important to note that alternate versions of characters, across comic and cinematic universes, have also lifted Mjolnir:

Alternate versions of the Silver Surfer, Conan, Black Widow, and Spider-Man have been depicted as worthy in various comic storylines. This highlights that the definition of “worthiness” can be explored and reinterpreted.
Valkyrie has also wielded Mjolnir, as a powerful Asgardian warrior, underlining that a history of bravery and a commitment to defending others are key.
Even Goku and Superman have been depicted lifting Thor’s hammer in certain cross-over comics and hypotheticals, showing their worthiness despite existing outside of the main Marvel Universe.

Characters Who Cannot Lift Mjolnir:

Many characters have attempted and failed to lift the hammer, further defining who is worthy. Some of these include:

Thanos: Despite his immense power, Thanos is not worthy, as his motivations are driven by destruction and a twisted sense of order rather than a genuine desire to protect.
Naruto: The enchantment of Mjolnir prevents anyone, regardless of power, who is unworthy, from lifting it.
Deadpool: His chaotic and often selfish nature make him unworthy, despite his occasional heroic acts.
Iron Man: Though a hero, his flaws, like vanity and ego, prevent him from being worthy to lift Mjolnir.
Juggernaut: Despite his immense strength, his violent and chaotic nature disqualify him from lifting Mjolnir.

Stormbreaker vs. Mjolnir: The Difference in Worthiness

It’s crucial to distinguish between Mjolnir and Stormbreaker. While Mjolnir’s worthiness enchantment is a critical part of its identity, Stormbreaker doesn’t have the same restrictions.

Stormbreaker is not dependent on the worthiness of the wielder. This explains why Groot was able to lift it during Avengers: Infinity War. It was built as a weapon for Thor, not a test of his soul.
Stormbreaker is considered more powerful than Mjolnir due to its ability to summon the Bifrost and its greater size and sharpness.

Who is the Strongest Avenger (Besides Thor)?

While worthiness isn’t about strength, the question of who the strongest Avenger is often comes up. The consensus seems to be:

Captain Marvel: Carol Danvers is incredibly powerful, as demonstrated in both the comics and the MCU. She often tops the lists as the strongest Avenger.
Scarlet Witch: Wanda Maximoff, when embracing her full power, has a reality-altering potential that exceeds most other Avengers.
Doctor Strange: His mastery of the mystic arts positions him as one of the most powerful, even if not physically.
Hulk: While not as powerful as some others at peak, Hulk is often a force of raw power that is difficult to defeat.

While these characters may be strong, they are not all necessarily “worthy” in the Mjolnir sense.

FAQs About Who Can Lift Thor’s Hammer

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of Mjolnir’s enchantment:

Can anyone lift Mjolnir if they are strong enough? No, physical strength is not the determining factor. The enchantment focuses on worthiness, not brute power.
What exactly does “worthy” mean in the context of Mjolnir? “Worthy” embodies integrity, selflessness, a desire to protect, and a noble character.
Has any villain ever lifted Mjolnir? While there are versions of Loki who have lifted Mjolnir, generally, villains are not deemed worthy due to their selfish and destructive nature.
Can a character become “unworthy” after being deemed worthy? Yes, a character’s actions and moral compass can change, which can make them unworthy.
Could a non-Marvel character lift Mjolnir? This is a topic of debate, but if they embodied the spirit of “worthiness,” it is possible within fictional crossovers.
Does the enchantment on Mjolnir ever change? The enchantment has changed over different storylines, usually influenced by plot, but the core concept remains the same.
Why could Vision lift Mjolnir? Vision’s worthiness came from his pure intent, innocence, and lack of ego. He was not driven by self-interest.
Does Mjolnir weigh more when it’s heavier for an unworthy individual? This is not clearly stated, but it is shown that for an unworthy individual, the hammer is incredibly difficult to lift, as though it weighs a mountain.
Can telekinesis move Mjolnir? No, Mjolnir’s enchantment resists telekinesis, but in many cases it is not the object itself that is impossible to lift, rather the force pulling the hammer down and preventing it from being moved by an unworthy individual.
Could Spider-Man lift Mjolnir? Spider-Man has shown worthiness in alternate versions, however, his attempts in the main canon often fail as his own self-doubt and young age hold him back.
Can Captain Marvel lift Mjolnir? She is never shown lifting it in the MCU canon, despite her immense power, implying that she is not deemed worthy.
Can the Hulk lift Mjolnir? Though physically incredibly strong, Hulk’s lack of control and volatile nature prevents him from lifting the hammer in the canonical universe.
Is Stormbreaker more powerful than Mjolnir? Yes, due to its size, blade, and its ability to summon the Bifrost, Stormbreaker is considered more powerful.
Did Thanos lift Mjolnir in Avengers: Endgame? No, he did not. He knew he was not worthy and chose to fight Thor with the double-edged sword instead.
Can Groot lift Mjolnir? No, he cannot, as it requires the wielder to be worthy. He can lift Stormbreaker though, because Stormbreaker doesn’t require worthiness.

Conclusion

The question of who can lift Thor’s hammer is more than a matter of strength; it’s a reflection of character. Captain America’s ability to wield Mjolnir in Endgame solidified his heroic status and emphasized the importance of moral worth. While other characters may be incredibly powerful or embody certain qualities, the enchantment of Mjolnir ensures that only the truly worthy can wield its might. This adds a profound layer of depth to the stories of the Marvel Universe, captivating fans with the notion that power and worthiness are deeply intertwined.

Which avenger could lift Thor’s hammer?