Mjolnir | |
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![]() Mjolnir held aloft on the cover of Thor #494 (Jan. 1996). Art by Mike Deodato Jr. |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962) (August 1962) |
Created by | Stan Lee Jack Kirby Joe Sinnott |
In story information | |
Type | Mystic item/artifact, Weapon |
Element of stories featuring | Thor |
Mjolnir (pronounced /mɨˈjoʊlnər/) is a fictional weapon that appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The weapon first appears in Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962) and was created by writer Stan Lee and artists Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott.
Mjolnir resembles a large short-handled hammer and is the favored weapon of the Thunder God Thor. The object is based on Mjöllnir, the weapon of the mythical Norse god.
Contents |
Publication history
Mjolnir debuted in Journey into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962), and is 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).
Biography
In Marvel continuity, Mjolnir is forged by Dwarven blacksmiths, and is composed of the fictional Asgardian metal Uru, which has a stone-like appearance. The side of the hammer carries the inscription: "Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor."[1]
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 magical 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 that the hammer is shorter in the handle than Eitri originally intended.
Despite this, 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.[2]
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 and an enchanted forge. The forging of the hammer is apparently so intense it destroys the star and nearly the Earth itself.[3]
Mjolnir itself has several enchantments: no living being may lift the hammer unless deemed worthy by Odin; 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;[1] manipulate the weather on an almost global scale; (as Thor once did at Spider-Man's request to spread a chemical agent around the world to counteract another set of chemicals released by villain Doctor Octopus that risked destroying the ozone layer)[4] open interdimensional portals, allowing its wielder to travel to other dimensions (such as from Earth to Asgard);[5] and transform Thor into the guise of a mortal, physician Donald Blake, by stamping the hammer's head to 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.
A previous provision of this enchantment required that the hammer could not be out of physical contact of Thor for more than one minute without his spontaneous reversion to his mortal self, although this stipulation was removed in a storyline in which this enchantment is transferred to Stormbreaker, the hammer of Beta Ray Bill.[6] Thor eventually adopts the mortal persona of Jake Olson, and simply pounds a fist to effect a change.[7]
Mjolnir was originally capable of creating chronal displacement and therefore allowing time travel,[8] although this enchantment was removed by the entity Immortus with the Thunder God's consent.[9] Thor, however is still apparently able to manipulate time with Mjolnir.[10]
Other wielders
Mjolnir has been wielded by a select number of other individuals: alien Beta Ray Bill;[11] Buri (also known as Tiwaz, and Thor's great-grandfather);[12] Avenger Captain America;[13] Eric Masterson;[14] Odin and Borr (Odin's Father).[15]
The hammer has also been lifted by various sentient constructs (non-sentient machines apparently cannot),[16] such as Zarrko the Tomorrow Man's mining robot;[17] the Air-Walker (animated by the soul of Nova Corps captain Gabriel Lan);[18] and the Awesome Android (by mimicking Thor's abilities and worthy nature).[19] The hammer has also been lifted by the earth itself when animated via magical means.[20]
There are also several other non-canon instances of other characters lifting the hammer, including: Conan the Barbarian;[21] Dargo Ktor (Future Thor);[22] Loki;[23] Magni;[24] Rogue;[25] Woden;[26] and the DC Comics characters Superman[27] and Wonder Woman.[28]
Several imitations of Mjolnir have also existed. These include Stormbreaker and the mace Thunderstrike, created for Beta Ray Bill [29] and Eric Masterson respectively.[30] Loki has been responsible for the creation of several imitations - a version of Mjolnir is presented to the mutant X-Man Storm in an attempt to control her,[31] while another version is given to the mercenary Deadpool to spite Thor.[32] Loki also allows Surtur to use the forge Mjolnir was created from to craft copies during Ragnarok.[3] Tony Stark and Reed Richards also create a technological imitation Mjolnir for use by the clone Thor during the Civil War storyline.[33]
Powers & abilities
Mjolnir can be used both offensively and defensively. Described as impacting with sufficient force to "destroy mountains",[34] with only primary adamantium proving to impervious.[35] Other offensive capabilities include creating vortices; emitting mystical blasts of energy; controlling electromagnetism; molecular manipulation and generating the Geo-Blast, (an energy wave that taps a planet's gravitational force).[36] Anti-Force (energy created to counter-act another force).[37] and God Blast (a blast that taps into Thor's life force)[38]
Mjolnir can also be spun in an arc to deflect attacks or absorb energy. Thor also uses Mjolnir as a means of transportation by hurling the hammer and gripping the thong on the shaft, being pulled along by the force created. Once airborne, Thor can change direction, speed and altitude.[1]
There are also other several rarely used abilities. Mjolnir can absorb energy, such as draining the Asgardian powers of the Wrecking Crew into the Wrecker;[39] detect illusions, as Thor once commanded the hammer to strike the demonic Mephisto, who was hiding amongst false images of himself.[40] As a former religious relic, Mjolnir is lethal to undead, causing creatures such as vampires to burst into flame and crumble to dust.[41] Mjolnir also can project images, as Thor shows a glimpse of Asgard to fellow Avenger Iron Man.[42]
The hammer has also drained energy from the radioactive supervillain Presence, who is forced to surrender before being killed.[43] 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 electricty.[44] The hammer has been used to both power an Atlantean warship[45] and neutralize the forcefield of the villain Juggernaut.[46]
Mjolnir is also not indestructible, having been damaged several times: a force beam from the Asgardian Destroyer slices it in two;[47] the Molecule Man dispels the atomic bonds between the hammer's molecules, vaporizing Mjolnir;[48] the hammer shatters after channeling an unmeasurable amount of energy at the Celestial Exitar;[49] Dark God Perrikus slices Mjolnir in half with a magical scythe;[50] and the hammer is shattered when it collides with the uru weapons of Loki's Storm Giant followers, resulting in an atomic-scale explosion.[51] Mjolnir is damaged in battle when Thor defeats his grandfather Bor,[52] but is repaired by mystic Doctor Strange, who transfers the Odinforce from Thor into the hammer.[53]
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 Magni, landing in the Rhine river where it transformed into the magical Rhinegold.[54] In the Ultimate Marvel imprint title the Ultimates the alternate universe version of Thor wields a weapon that while called Mjolnir is a hybrid of hammer and axe.[55]
Footnotes
- ^ a b c Journey Into Mystery #83 (Aug. 1962)
- ^ Thor Annual #11 (1983)
- ^ a b Thor vol. 2, #80 (Aug. 2004)
- ^ Amazing Spider-Man #339 (Sept. 1990)
- ^ Journey Into Mystery #88 (Jan. 1963)
- ^ Thor #340 (Feb. 1984)
- ^ Thor vol. 3, #1 (July 1998)
- ^ Journey Into Mystery #86 (Nov. 1962)
- ^ Thor #282 (April 1979)
- ^ Avengers #300 (Feb. 1989)
- ^ Thor #337 (Nov. 1983)
- ^ Thor #355 (May 1985)
- ^ Thor #390 (Apr. 1988)
- ^ Thor #433 (June 1991)
- ^ Thor #600 (April 2009)
- ^ Thor #387 (Jan. 1988); Fantastic Four #536 - 537 (May - June 2006)
- ^ Journey Into Mystery #101 - 102 (Feb. - March 1964)
- ^ Thor #305 (March 1981)
- ^ She-Hulk #14 (Feb. 2007)
- ^ Marvel Team-Up 26 (Oct. 1974); Avengers #212 (Oct. 1981)
- ^ What If? #39 (June 1983)
- ^ Thor #384 (Oct. 1984)
- ^ What If? #47 (Oct. 1984)
- ^ Thor vol. 2, #75 (May 2004)
- ^ What If? vol. 2 #66 (Oct. 1994)
- ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #43 (Dec. 1993)
- ^ Avengers/JLA #4 (May 2004)
- ^ Marvel vs DC #4 (April 1996)
- ^ Thor #339 (Jan. 1984))
- ^ Thor #459 (Feb. 1993)
- ^ X-Men Annual #9 (1985)
- ^ Deadpool #37 (Feb. 2000)
- ^ Civil War #1 - 7 (May 2006 - Jan. 2007)
- ^ Thor #312 (Oct. 1981)
- ^ Avengers #68 (Sep. 1969)
- ^ Thor #161 (Feb. 1969)
- ^ Thor vol. 3, #25 (July 2000)
- ^ Thor vol. 3, #12 (June 1999)
- ^ Avengers #277 (March 1987)
- ^ Thor #310 (Aug. 1981)
- ^ Thor #332 (June 1983)
- ^ Earth's Mightiest Heroes #1 - 8 (Jan. - May 2005)
- ^ Avengers vol. 3, #44 (Aug. 2001)
- ^ Invaders #33 (Oct. 1978)
- ^ JLA/Avengers #4 (Jan. 2004)
- ^ Thor #411 - 412 (both Dec. 1989)
- ^ Journey Into Mystery #119 (Aug. 1965); repaired Journey Into Mystery #120 (Sept. 1965)
- ^ Avengers#215 (Jan. 1982) and restored in Avengers#216 (Feb. 1982)
- ^ Thor #388 (Feb. 1988) and restored by the Celestials in Thor #389 (Mar. 1988)
- ^ Thor vol. 2, #11 (May 1999) & restored Thor vol. 2, #11 (June 1999)
- ^ Thor vol. 2, #80 (Aug. 2004). Not seen again until Thor vol. 3, #1 (Sept. 2007)
- ^ Thor vol. 3, #600 (Feb. 2009)
- ^ Thor vol. 3, #602 (June 2009)
- ^ Thor #294 (Apr. 1980)
- ^ Ultimates #1 (March 2002)
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