Thor’s hammer Mjolnir has been wielded by many different heroes over the years. Aside from the Thunder God himself, both Captain America and Beta Ray Bill have proven worthy of the hammer’s power and one future version of Spider-Man, Miguel O’Hara, gained immortality after wielding Mjolnir. Over in the DC Universe, the hammer has even been found and wielded by both Superman and Wonder Woman, leading some fans to ask if the third member of DC’s Trinity – Batman – can also lift the hammer of Thor.
While no definitive answer to this question exists (yet), it’s worth exploring how Mjolnir chooses those it deems worthy and if that criteria applies to Batman. Given that Batman would effectively gain the power of a god if he is deemed worthy, it’s also important to look at how Batman has handled such power in the past, as this could affect his ability to hold onto Thor’s abilities.
How Does One Become Worthy of the Power of Thor?
Since Odin first placed the enchantment that prevented Mjolnir from being wielded by those deemed unworthy of its power, fans have debated over what exactly makes one “worthy.” Certain stories indicate the hammer may possess a level of sentience, as it has been established that Odin trapped the God Tempest within the uru metal that the hammer was forged from. This suggests the hammer, to some extent, chooses those who are worthy to wield it.
However, the exact qualities of “worthiness” can vary. Thor needed to learn the virtue of humility before he could wield the hammer again in both the comics and MCU. Boldness and courage are also desired qualities, as these were shared by both Thor and Captain America. The hammer is also attracted to a warrior’s spirit, most famously with Beta Ray Bill and even Wonder Woman when she encountered it in the DC Universe. Then there’s also nobility and generosity, qualities possessed in abundance by both Captain America and Superman.
Is Batman Worthy of Lifting Mjolnir?
So, is Batman worthy of lifting Mjolnir? While the Dark Knight isn’t a god or a superhumanly powerful being like Thor or Superman, there are still many indications that he fits many of the qualifications for “worthiness.”
For starters, Batman shares many characteristics with Captain America, who has wielded Mjolnir multiple times. Both Batman and Captain America are (relatively) ordinary men who can fight alongside gods and superhumans thanks to their skill, strategic thinking, and resourcefulness. Both men are also famous for their iron wills which Mjolnir would certainly deem a worthy quality. When the two met and fought in DC vs. Marvel Comics #3, Cap himself admitted, “I’ve never fought against someone with whom I’m so evenly matched!”
It’s also important to note that although certain versions of Batman have killed people, being willing to take life does not disqualify Batman from being worthy of Mjolnir. Asgardians regularly kill on the battlefield and Thor has been known to take lives over his long existence. Certainly, the rationale behind the killings would factor into Mjolnir’s decision, so a Batman who killed purely out of revenge wouldn’t be considered as worthy. Nevertheless, most versions of Batman adhere to a “no kill” rule, which the hammer would factor into Batman’s innate nobility.
But perhaps the deciding quality that makes Batman worthy of Thor’s hammer is the fact that he genuinely cares about people. Despite his aloof and frightening attitude, Bruce Wayne constantly uses his wealth and dark persona to benefit the greater good and ensure that people don’t have to suffer the type of trauma that defines him. This makes him a very generous individual who recognizes he has violent and negative qualities, by regularly tries to temper them with his compassion.
Based on all of this, Batman would almost definitely be capable of lifting Thor’s hammer and gaining the powers of a Thunder God. The circumstances that would lead him to wield Mjolnir would likely be extreme as he normally prefers to use his own gadgets and skills – but he could do it.
Would Batman Remain a Thunder God?
Of course, the real question is that once Batman lifts Mjolnir, will he actually want to retain the power of a Thunder God? Surprisingly, the answer is almost certainly, “No.” Although Batman’s will and moral compass do make him a worthy candidate for Thor’s hammer, his track record with super powers is less than stellar.
In several storylines, Batman has acquired genuine superpowers but frequently becomes corrupted by them. In Superman/Batman #53 by Michael Green, Mike Johnson, Rags, Morales, John Dell, Nei Ruffino, and Rob Leigh, Batman gains Superman’s powers thanks to a magic spell. Although this initially makes him a more effective hero, his obsessive nature and violent tendencies cause him to brutally beat his enemy Bane nearly to death. As he realizes he can stop crime around the world, his mind becomes warped by megalomania and he ends up taking on – and nearly obliterating – the entire Justice League with his tactical mind and superpowers.
While Batman’s mind could have been warped by the same magic that granted him Superman’s powers, Bruce Wayne is very much aware of his personal darkness and knows he regularly walks a fine line between heroism and vigilantism. Thus, it’s very possible that if he ever acquired Thor’s powers, he could become corrupted by them in the same way he has been corrupted by great power in the past.
Yet strangely, this does not disqualify Batman from lifting the hammer of Thor. Knowing how he frequently responds when imbued with superhuman power, Batman would likely resist the temptation to remain a Thunder God and set the hammer down. While this might be disappointing to fans who would love to see a “Bat-Thor” truly cut loose, Batman generally chooses to deal with his problems as a man, and not a god. And that makes him truly worthy.