So, I recently saw the article on CBR about how Carol Danvers just joined the ever-growing list of people, other than Thor, who have lifted Mjolnir and I have to admit that it's gotten to be a big club. Let's review:
- Beta Ray Bill: the famous "first case" from Thor #337
- Captain America (Steve Rogers): has long been established as being able to lift Mjolnir, but most recently seen doing so in Secret Empire (and of course, Avengers: Endgame)
- Thunderstrike
- Awesome Andy
- Ultimate Magneto (it was the Ultimate universe, but still)
- Red Hulk: I mean, traditionally a supervillain and, albeit, he did so when the hammer was in zero gravity, but...should that matter for an enchanted hammer
- Conan
- Bor
- Storm: lifted Mjolnir in Uncanny X-Men Annual #9
- Throg
- Jane Foster: famously replaced Odinson as Thor for a few years
- Volstagg: became the War Thor after lifting Ultimate Thor's hammer
- Silver Surfer: as seen in Donny Cates's Thanos series where the Silver Surfer has become worthy and now wields Mjolnir to fight Thanos
- Carol Danvers: the most recent addition, albeit only able to do so because of Thor's DNA (but again, should that be able to fool an enchanted hammer)
And of course, let's not forget:
- Wonder Woman: wielded the hammer in the Marvel vs. DC crossover and then again in JLA/Avengers
- Superman: also wielded Mjolnir in JLA/Avengers.
So, you see what I mean? I think, for some reason, every time some writer wants to make a character seem cool, they just HAVE to have them be seen lifting Thor's hammer. Now, Captain America, I get. Jane Foster's tenure as Thor was pretty great, IMO (I know some hated it, but whatever). Storm is also one that I get. Beta Ray Bill basically only exists because he's someone else who can wield Mjolnir. I also really like the fact that Superman and Wonder Woman can wield it because it has that cross-universe appeal and it's not like they'll be doing so on a regular basis.
However, some of these seem a bit...unnecessary? I mean, did Silver Surfer really need to be added to this list? Weren't there other ways to fight Thanos? Did Carol Danvers? I mean, there are other powerful artifacts in the MU to use. Is it really worth it to inject yourself with Thor's DNA when you could have easily just grabbed an Infinity Gauntlet (because apparently they grow on trees now) or the Ebony Blade or the Nega Bands (hey, remember those things?). I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see the entire roster of the Fantastic Four, Peter Parker, Wolverine, Miles Morales, Dr. Doom, and Rick Jones all lifting Mjolnir within...two years. I don't know. What do you think?