Could the Hulk Pick up Thor's Hammer Mjlnir?

In the Marvel Comics universe, the ability to lift Thor's hammer Mjlnir is determined by worthiness, a key aspect of the hammer's enchantment. While the Hulk possesses immense strength, his worthiness is often debated. This article explores the debate around whether the Hulk could wield Mjlnir, based on the context of the comic stories and the specific interpretation of worthiness.

The Concept of Worthiness

In various comic storylines, characters who are deemed worthy can lift Mjlnir, while others, regardless of their strength, cannot. While the Hulk has shown moments of great heroism, his actions are often driven by rage, which may make him less likely to be considered worthy. However, there have been instances where the Hulk has been able to lift Mjlnir temporarily, often in extraordinary circumstances. For instance, during the events of The Emo Guy and Welcome! Welcome!, the Hulk has managed to lift the hammer.

Debunking Myths and Misconceptions

It is important to note that the ability to lift Mjlnir is far more than just a matter of strength. If strength were the only factor, many characters with immense power would be able to lift it. However, the enchantment on the hammer by Odin requires the wielder to be deemed worthy. In one instance, it was mentioned that everyone thought the Hulk could not pick up Mjlnir. However, he could indeed lift it with great difficulty by pushing the Earth down and keeping the hammer in place. In another, the Hulk did lift the hammer in Arrsquo;senal #32 and Thor #26, where he briefly controlled it, but ultimately, the hammer returned to its rightful place.

Lifting Mjlnir in contemporary stories

The most recent depiction shows the Hulk lifting Mjlnir in the Banners of War arc. In this storyline, the Hulk, controlled by Bruce Banner, fights a Hulkized version of Thor. While the Hulkized Thor is extremely powerful and almost invincible, even with Mjlnir in hand, they are unable to stop each other. This represents an extraordinary moment where the Hulk was for a brief moment worthy to wield Mjlnir. The provided scans depict the event when Hulk managed to lift the hammer but ultimately the hammer was not with him.

Conclusion

The question of whether the Hulk could pick up Mjlnir ultimately depends on the specific context and the interpretation of worthiness at the time. While the Hulk possesses immense strength, the enchantment on the hammer by Odin makes the matter of lifting it a unique and challenging one. As demonstrated by various comic arcs, the concept of worthiness is not only about raw power but also about the moral and heroic actions that a character undertakes.

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