Mjolnir (Marvel Comics)

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Cover to Thor Vol. 2 #83. Art by Steve Epting.

Mjolnir is the fictional weapon used by Marvel Comics superhero, Thor. It's based on the Mjolnir of Norse mythology. It's reported to be one of the mightiest weapons of both man and god.

Mjolnir translates into English as "That Which Smashes". It's composed primarily of the fictional metal Uru. Its length is 22.7", has a working face of 6.5" x 6.5" and weighs 42.3 lbs. The handle is wrapped in leather and terminates in a thong. Upon one of its sides is the inscription "Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of... Thor" (The inscription is assumed to be part magical, as it appears to all English readers but was crafted by non-English people, before the language was invented)

Contents

1 History
2 Enchantments
3 Usage
4 Limitations
5 Imitations

History

In pre-recorded Asgardian history, Odin ordered the dwarven blacksmiths Eitri, Brok, and Buri to forge Mjolnir. They used the core of a star and a forge enchanted by Odin to craft the weapon. The forging process was so intense, it destroyed the star and nearly Earth itself (subsequently implying that this event triggered the extinction of Earth's dinosaurs). Loki was able to sabotage its construction somewhat, by making its handle too short.

Afterwards, Odin imbued Mjolnir with several self-sustaining enchantments (as detailed below). For a brief time, Odin used Mjolnir. One such instance was in a lethal fight with Laufey, a frost giant. After Laufey's death, Odin decided to adopt his orphaned son, Loki.

Eventually, Odin laid Mjolnir to rest until its rightful owner, Thor, proved himself worthy of carrying it. Towards that end, Odin subjected Thor to numerous trials and tribulations, in an effort for Thor to develop into a person noble enough to wield Mjolnir. Thor used to measure his progress by seeing how high he can lift the mallet. This is the only occurrence of anyone partially wielding Mjolnir. As this was done in the company of Odin, its unknown if Odin partially recended the enchantment so that Thor can measure his progress.

Mjolnir's forge was lost for a period of time. Loki found it and used it to construct Uru weapons to challenge Thor's rule of Asgard, subsequently triggering the events leading to Ragnarok.

Note: In the storyline that concluded in Thor #300, there existed a Mjolnir that survived a previous incarnation of Asgard's Ragnarok. It was thrown to Midgard (Earth) by Thor's sons, Modi and Magni, landed in the Rhine river and was transformed into the magical Rhinegold. As this tale has been hinted to be a lie, it's unknown how much of this tale is factual, although no subsequent writings have refuted it.

Enchantments

Superman grabs Mjolnir, in a scene from JLA/Avengers #4. Art by George Pérez.

Wonder Woman with Mjolnir

Currently, Mjolnir has these enchantments:

Returns to the same spot when it was thrown after it has hit its target.
Weather & energy manipulation. One stamp enables its wielder to summon the wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. Two stamps cancel such activity. This enchantment manipulates other magical energy. Energy directed at Mjolnir can be absorbed and redirected at Thor's choice of direction. Also, Mjolnir can sense the use of Asgardian magic.
Interdimensional travel. By spinning the hammer, Thor can create a portal to the new destination. This is the method in which Thor travels back & forth to Asgard. Similarly, he can use this ability to transverse vast distances in the Earth dimension. While no upper limit has been determined, it does exist (as Thor was unable to return home when transported to the Beyonder's Battleworld). Thor can also send Mjolnir itself into another dimension and return at a predetermined time.
Personal transformation. By tapping Mjolnir on the ground three times, Thor can transform into Blake and vice-versa. Mjolnir would transform into a walking stick. Initially, when Thor would be separated from his hammer for more than 60 seconds, this enchantment would automatically transform Thor back into Blake. Most of this enchantment was transferred into Beta Ray Bill's hammer, Stormbreaker. (The remaining enchantment is limited to a change of clothes)
Flight. By spinning the hammer, releasing, and holding onto the thong, it enables the user to fly through the air. Steering is still a mystery; it is often suggested that Mjolnir enables its user to fly by controlling the winds (which the user rides) or more recently, by the mind of the wielder himself. It's unknown how much speed & distance Thor can achieve with a single throw.
Time travel. The hammer could be swung in such a way to enablen the wielder to travel through time. This enchantment was given to Immortus (see Kang the Conqueror) in an effort to save a planet stuck halfway in Limbo. Subsequently, Thor can no longer travel though time.
No unworthy living being can lift the hammer from the ground.
*People who have lifted it are:
**Mainstream (Earth 616)
***Odin
***Captain America
***Beta Ray Bill
***Buri (alias Tiwaz, Thor's paternal great-grandfather)
***Red Norvell (with the aid of gauntlets)
***Eric Masterson (both before and after merging with Thor)
**Other
***Superman in Avengers/JLA #4 (2003)
***Wonder Woman in Marvel vs. DC #3 (1996)
***Magni (son of Thor in "Thor, Lord of Earth" future)
***Woden (son of Thor in the Guardians of the Galaxy future)
***Dargo Ktor ("Once and Future Thor" future)
***Ultimate Hulk (in the Ultimate Avengers Movie), Although this version of the hammer has been implied to not be of mystic origins.

*Successfully lifting Mjolnir usually transforms the mortal wielder into a quasi-Asgardian, often with an increase in strength, durability, and a wardrobe change that's more consistent with the Asgardian paradigm.

Note: These enchantments are subject to the will (or absence) of Odin. There have been numerous example of Odin stopping Mjolnir's flight with a wave of his hand. Also, when Odin "died" in confrontation with the Celestials, Mjolnir's ability to return was suspended.

Usage

Thor uses Mjolnir in a sundry of ways. As a weapon, its used both offensively and defensively. When thrown, few entities can resist its impact. Mjolnir can level mountains, burrow through solid rock and break through energy barriers. One of the few times that it's flight was truly stopped prematuraly was against the Juggernaut, whose mystical forcefield proved superior. On the offchance that something does stop its flight, Thor can command Mjolnir to return, thereby increasing pressure against the obstacle until it yields way (In an alternative timeline, the Elder God Set swallowed Mjolnir. Thor commanded Mjolnir to return and it shattered one of Set's heads in doing so). This is not to say, however, that Mjolnir force can't be resisted. Grade-A Adamantium such as that used by recent versions of Ultron or Captain America's Shield can deflect it (although can be dented after a continuous assault). Exceptionally invulnerable opponents (such as the Silver Surfer) are known to resist the damage from a full-blown strike from the Uru hammer. Energy Shields can withstand Mjolnir's blows .

There is also a specialized attack called "Unfettered Might" in which requires a special set of gloves and belt for Thor to use, else he be destroyed by the resulting blast himself.

Used defensively, Mjolnir can block weapons, absorb (and redirect) energy and, when spun into a circle, erect a virtual shield against projectiles and energy. When spun overhead, Thor can create hurricanes. (The upper limit of such hurricanes is undefined, as Thor has boasted that he can create them of sufficient force to be lethal to himself. One such hurricane had the additional property of removing all mystical energy within (a battle strategy in combat with the Juggernaut))

As a method of transportation, Mjolnir is used to open interdimensional portals to travel long distances or it can be used for personal flight when it's flown. Activating this ability apparently requires Thor to spin the weapon as if to throw but instead of letting loose, Thor keeps the leather thong in his grip, essentially being pulled by the force created. Once in the air, the wielder can change direction, speed and altitude. For interdimensional travel, Thor has to know the destination (i.e. no blind teleportation).

Thor uses Mjolnir to focus his own godly energy, including the manipulation of weather and energy. Thor can invoke downpours from nothingness (as opposed to Storm, who has to work with the environment given). Thor's manipulation of non-Earthly weather is difficult to predict. Through Mjolnir and invoking enchantments, Thor can invoke his Godly Might, a blast of energy on a scale lethal to even his fellow Asgardians.

Thor has also used Mjolnir to forge other metal objects of inferior durability, such as his own armor, made of Asgardian steel, or pound out a dent in Captain America's shield.

Thor has also used Mjolnir as a bluff, to force the truth out of an opponent. Sometimes its by tossing Mjolnir towards an individual while proclaiming that the opponent should be able to wield Mjolnir since he is so "worthy". As Mjolnir hits the ground, it "proves" the deception of the opponent. Other times, he requests to opponents to lay hands on the hammer and speak the truth, for Mjolnir would destroy any person who swears any falsehood upon it. If the opponent refuses to swear upon Mjolnir (for fear of obliteration), his deception is "proven". (Mjolnir cannot divine truth from falsehood)

As a former religious relic, its a potent weapon against the undead. In Thor #332, its impact against a vampire caused the vampire to burst into flame and ashens into dust.

Limitations

Although reported as being one of the mightiest weapons of both God and man, it is not invulnerable. In one instance, the Destroyer was able to break it with one of his force beams but Thor was able to repair it using a steel foundry's facilities. It was also shattered when Thor used it to channel his lifeforce through it. During Ragnarok, it was broken when it collided with other uru weapons made with the same forge. It could also be controlled by Magneto.

Imitations

Several imitations of Mjolnir have existed. The best-known are the two created by Odin himself: Stormbreaker for Beta Ray Bill, and the mace Thunderstrike for Eric Masterson. Loki has been responsible for multiple imitations. Deadpool briefly wielded an imposter Mjolnir gifted to him by Loki. During Ragnarok, multiple "knock-off" Mjolnirs were created by Surtur with Loki's aid.

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