The legend of Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, long predates the medium of comic books, and its mythos is not limited to the world of Marvel. According to Norse mythology — and the comics — only the worthy may lift Mjolnir. Source material offers few specifics on what qualifies someone as worthy, however, we can determine Mjolnir’s criteria based on those who have wielded it. Some of those who have held Thor’s hammer include Captain America, the Awesome Android, and Jane Foster, as well as two non-Marvel characters, Superman and Wonder Woman. Could other characters beyond Marvel do the same? Here are seven characters who could be worthy of wielding the power of Thor.
Supergirl
For all the reasons why Superman can – and has – held Mjolnir, these also apply to his cousin, Kara. Kara Danvers from The CW’s Supergirl, has proven herself to have the strength, determination, and purity of heart to wield the Hammer of Thor. On The CW series, when Superman is infected with a virus, Supergirl defeats Superman in hand-to-hand combat. Supergirl later sacrifices her own happiness by releasing lead into the atmosphere to stave off an alien attack. In doing so, she makes the world uninhabitable for the man she loves, forcing him away.
Worthiness, in part, implies the ability to not be corrupted by the awesome power of the hammer. Kara would have no problem in that regard. She wields power even greater than the god of thunder, yet never uses it for her own gain.
Data
In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tony Stark chalks up the Vision’s ability to lift Thor’s hammer to nothing more than being an artificial construct and not bound by Mjolnir’s restrictions. Whether any artificial being can wield Mjolnir or only the most worthy can, the Second Officer of the Enterprise D would rank among those who could. A sentient android, Data aspired to be human, taking lessons from a human race that collectively has left their baser instincts behind. Data’s humanity is the best version of all of us.
As we have seen through his brother, Lore, Data was quite capable — physically and intellectually — of going full Skynet on the Enterprise crew. Instead, he served both Starfleet and the greater good with selflessness and dedication, making him both able and worthy of wielding Mjolnir.
Grey Worm
In Westeros, a world defined by treachery and violent ambition, it might seem an impossible task to find a soul pure enough to wield Mjolnir. Even the Warden of the North, Ned Stark, who placed his honor above the safety of his children, falls short. Enter Grey Worm, the Unsullied Commander from across the Narrow Sea. Stolen from his family at a young age, mutilated, and forced to serve brutal masters under the threat of violent torment, Grey Worm had every reason to become a monster himself when freed from the shackles of blind obedience. Instead, he swore loyalty to the woman who freed him and has never wavered in that loyalty.
While most of Westeros is steeped in jealousy, cruelty, and murderous ambition, Game of Thrones‘ Grey Worm provides a quiet strength devoid of guile and vanity.
Leia Organa
Harnessing the literal power of a god is not something just any mortal can handle. Suddenly wielding that kind of raw power can corrupt even the noblest of us. There’s a reason Mjolnir won’t let just anyone lift it. The Princess-turned-General discovered 30 years ago that she was the daughter of one of the most powerful Force-wielders in Galactic history and that the Force flowed through her as well.
As we’ve seen in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, not only can she control the force, but what she does with it is as impressive as anything we’ve seen, even from the great masters. And she did it without any formal training. So why isn’t she a Jedi? Simple: her duty to the New Republic and the Resistance outweighed any personal desire to explore her gifts, using them only when necessary.
Samwise Gamgee
Frodo’s ever-faithful sidekick in the Lord of the Rings books and movies had no ambition but to keep his friend and traveling companion safe. He held no earthly desires beyond a warm home and a wife to share it with. In the book, Sam believes Frodo has died at the hand of the giant spider Shelob. However, he doesn’t abandon the journey. He takes the One Ring and carries on. He does this not out of temptation, but to complete the quest to destroy it. Once he discovers Frodo alive, he returns it willingly.
Despite having tasted the power and allure of the One Ring, he never tries to take it from Frodo or fight against its destruction. He simply carries on, providing the strength that the One Ring slowly leaches from Frodo. Should Sam ever need to wield the power of Thor, we can be certain that when the crisis had passed, he would willingly – and gladly – give it up.
