Thor wields one of the most powerful weapons in the Marvel Comics universe. His hammer, otherwise known as Mjolnir, makes its comic book debut alongside its most famous wielder in Journey into Mystery #83 in 1962. Mjolnir possessing several magical enchantments, the most notable being that no person, unless they be worthy, may wield it.
Marvel has always been a little vague on the "worthiness" qualifications, but characters who possess pure hearts or warrior spirits and require the hammer in a time of need can usually lift it. While characters like Jane Foster and Captain America frequently wield Mjolnir, there are plenty of comic characters readers may be surprised to learn are "worthy."
10 Rogue Stole Thor's Powers, And Thus His Worthiness
Rogue has the incredible ability to absorb any being's powers. Unfortunately, this usually leaves those she touches in an injured or even fatal state. Rogue famously absorbs Ms. Marvel's powers for an extended period of time, nearly killing her. In What If...? #66, Rogue works with the Brotherhood of Mutants, and steals all of Thor's powers instead.
Absorbing Thor's powers makes Rogue worthy of Mjolnir. Rogue goes on to become one of the most powerful beings in the universe, destroying the Avengers and even the Brotherhood. Although it occurs in an alternate universe, seeing Rogue lift Thor's hammer remains both amazing and terrifying.
9 Squirrel Girl Can Do Anything... Including Lift Mjolnir
Squirrel Girl proved an extremely comical character whose power level were often exaggerated in comics. Marvel actually published a series titled Unbeatable Squirrel Girl which showcased the hero defeating Marvel's greatest villains like Doctor Doom and Galactus. There seemed to be nothing Doreen Green couldn't do, including lift Thor's hammer.
In the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Beats Up the Marvel Universe graphic novel, Squirrel Girl faced an evil clone of herself. To defeat her clone — who'd defeated the Avengers — Squirrel Girl proved her worthiness and lifted Mjolnir, becoming the new Goddess of Thunder. Whether the events of this book were canon or not was left for the reader to decide.
8 Moon Knight Revealed Mjolnir's True Nature
The "Age of Khonshu" was an interesting story arc largely overshadowed by Marvel's other recent event books like House of X and War of the Realms. Because of this, some readers might not know Moon Knight proved capable of wielding Mjolnir.
In Avengers #33, Moon Knight revealed Uru, the metal Mjolnir was made from, was actually "moon rock." Thanks to his connection with Khonshu, the God of the Moon, Moon Knight could control Thor's hammer. While connected to Mjolnir in some way, Moon Knight didn't seem the "worthy" type. Perhaps a yellow ring of fear from DC Comics would better suit him.
7 Loki Became Worthy During The AXIS Event
One of the most powerful beings in Marvel Comics, Scarlet Witch has established herself a menace to the Marvel universe. Wielding godlike abilities that allow her to manipulate reality, Her actions have sparked some of Marvel's greatest comic book events. That's great for comic book readers, but rather inconvenient for the fictional characters around her.
Scarlet Witch created the AXIS event which turned the heroes into villains and vice versa. In this new reality, Loki was finally able to wield Thor's hammer and used it to stop the former God of Thunder. Loki had tried to steal Mjolnir for years, but was only successful when evil was stripped from his being. Unfortunately, Loki returned to his villainous ways after AXIS and lost his worthiness.
6 Superman Lifted Thor's Hammer In JLA/Avengers
Marvel and DC used to crossover more frequently. Lately, the "big two" have stayed at arm's length. The 2004 crossover limited series, titled JLA/Avengers, brought DC and Marvel's biggest superhero teams together to fight Krona. Often a forgotten run, some readers might be unaware DC's Man of Steel wielded Thor's hammer.
Superman's impressive feat occurred during the fourth and final issue of the series, wielding Mjolnir and Captain America's shield. However, Odin had previously lifted the "worthiness" enchantment. Even with the enchantment, Superman should be worthy of Mjolnir, if he ever was in need of a power boost.
5 Black Widow Lifted Mjolnir In An Alternate Universe
What If...? comics explore some of the wildest scenarios Marvel can think of. In What If? Age of Ultron, the original Thor dies, and his hammer is left without a wielder. Shortly after, most of the world's superpowered beings are killed during Ragnarok, leaving only Black Widow, Nick Fury and a handful of others alive.
In her desperation, Natasha was able to lift Mjolnir and received an awesome new costume that looked like a cross between Jane Foster's Thor and Valkyrie costumes. What If...? comics might not be canon, but they often proved more entertaining.
4 Doctor Doom Wielded Mjolnir... But Only In Hell
Doctor Doom first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 in 1962, but he has been a villain to just about every Marvel hero thanks to events like Secret Wars. Despite his villainous status, Doctor Doom lifts Thor's hammer during the "Hammer Falls" arc in Fantastic Four #536.
The Civil War event was in full swing at this time and tie-in books, like issue #536, weren't promoted as heavily. That didn't stop Doctor Doom from wielding Mjolnir after the hammer fell into Hell. With the magical enchantment weakened, Doom used the hammer to slay demons. Unfortunately, after returning to Earth, Doom could no longer lift Mjolnir, much to the Marvel universe's relief.
3 Wonder Woman Easily Lifted Mjolnir
The crossovers between DC and Marvel are rarely mentioned in conversation, perhaps because they don't have as much impact on either of their main universes. But before Superman lifted Thor's hammer in JLA/Avengers, another Justice League member lifted it in Marvel vs. DC in 1996.
Seizing the hammer during battle, Wonder Woman claimed Mjolnir and saw a huge boost in her power. She only wielded it briefly, quickly realizing how powerful and dangerous the hammer had made her. To ensue she didn't gravely injure the X-Men's Storm in battle, Wonder Woman relinquished her hold on Mjolnir.
2 Thor Gave Mjolnir To Conan The Barbarian
"What if Thor of Asgard met Conan the Barbarian?" was a question answered in What If? #39 in 1983. After being tricked by Loki, Thor was transported to the Hyborian Age where he met Conan. The two brutes battled to test each other's strength and upon a worthy display of power, they decided to travel together.
The pair team up to defeat Conan's villain, Thoth-Amon. Thor sacrifices himself and offers Mjolnir to Conan with his dying breath. Conan easily lifts the hammer, proving his worthiness. What If? comics are pretty obscure, especially older ones, so current comic readers should check this out if they're interested in reading wild Conan adventures beyond the current King Conan Marvel series.
1 Silver Surfer Worked Hard To Become Worthy & Stop Thanos
A story arc in the latest Thanos solo comic book series focused on an alternate universe where Thanos defeated all of Earth's Mightiest Heroes and won. Present-day Thanos traveled to this alternate future to speak with his other self and learn how this victory was achieved. One of the last remaining heroes in this new future was the Silver Surfer, who'd been missing for some time.
As it turned out, Silver Surfer had gone into exile, training himself to become worthy of Mjolnir. In one of the most epic comic sequences ever, chronicled in Thanos #15, Silver Surfer called Mjolnir to his hand. He destroyed the Cosmic Ghost Rider in one hit and nearly defeated the future Thanos. Unfortunately, this version of the Surfer only appeared in a few issues.