What made Superman "unworthy" to lift Mjolnir in JLA/AVENGERS?

[Kurt Busiek]

As I understand it, I think what Busiek and Perez were trying to imply with this sequence is that sometimes you're worthy to lift the Hammer of Thor...and sometimes you're not.

The Hammer of Thor is a magical object - it's not like, "a-ha, you saved a trainful of kids back in DC COMICS PRESENTS #45, so you must be worthy." It can take into account things like destiny, the heat of the moment, and so forth.

Superman was "worthy" to use the hammer when he was fighting to save the cosmos, but he was not worthy to lift the hammer when the battle was done and Thor was standing RIGHT THERE.

Ding!

Picking up the hammer to hand it back to Thor when all the fuss is over isn't anything that needs doing. Worthiness of purpose counts too -- it's not as if someone is always worthy or never worthy. Saving the universe is one hell of a worthier effort than returning the hammer to a guy standing next to you.

As I figure it, were Wonder Woman or Cap trying to lift it to hand it back to Thor when there's no crisis at hand, they wouldn't manage it either.

kdb

[cactusmaac]

I think the worthiness thing is totally dependent on how much mead you can imbibe.

Supes is more of a milk drinker.

[Joe Acro]

Wonder Woman picked up the hammer after just seeing it on the ground and Bill grabbed it by mistake (when it was in stick form), not knowing what it was, after he beat Thor. I doubt those could be considered worthy times to lift it.

[Sean Whitmore]

I think the worthiness thing is totally dependent on how much mead you can imbibe.

Supes is more of a milk drinker.

So Brandon Routh's Superman could have lifted it easily enough .:)


SEAN

[Sean Whitmore]

Wonder Woman picked up the hammer after just seeing it on the ground and Bill grabbed it by mistake (when it was in stick form), not knowing what it was, after he beat Thor. I doubt those could be considered worthy times to lift it.

In Bill's case, I think it was a matter of Bill defeating Thor and being of heroic character. One or the other might not have done it, but both was enough to be "worthy".

In Wonder Woman's case, it was just to get a quick shot of Wonder Thor, logic be damned. :)


SEAN

[Joe Acro]

In Bill's case, I think it was a matter of Bill defeating Thor and being of heroic character. One or the other might not have done it, but both was enough to be "worthy".

In Wonder Woman's case, it was just to get a quick shot of Wonder Thor, logic be damned. :)


SEAN

I suppose your logic could work for Bill.

I'd be willing to see Busiek's explanation for Wonder Woman, though. That is, if Marvel vs. DC is considered in continuity...

[Kaos]

So Brandon Routh's Superman could have lifted it easily enough .:)


SEAN

no...he's a bad father
knocks the mother up and flies into space for 5 years. That isn't very worthy to me.

[Kurt Busiek]

I'd be willing to see Busiek's explanation for Wonder Woman, though. That is, if Marvel vs. DC is considered in continuity...

We didn't consider it in continuity.

kdb

[Joe Acro]

We didn't consider it in continuity.

kdb

I will admit that the continuity regarding it is murky. I won't hold it against you. Thanks for responding, by the way!

[Sean Whitmore]

We didn't consider it in continuity.

I should hope not. Wolverine and Storm beating Lobo and Wonder Woman my foot. :)


SEAN

[Kaos]

I should hope not. Wolverine and Storm beating Lobo and Wonder Woman my foot. :)


SEAN

THAT'S FASHO!

[Magneto_X]

Superman isn't a warrior like Thor is. "Boy scout" types aren't going to cut it with Norse Gods.

He holds back and won't kill.

That's why I liked how Wonder Woman was able to hold Mjolnir in Marvel vs DC.

[Magneto_X]

He whacked the three Kryptonite baddies in that continuity so the ability to kill wasn't in question.

That was a one-time deal that eventually drove him insane from the guilt.

(Fictional) warriors don't have mental breakdowns, on that scale at least, when killing enemies.

I don't like how Marvel has made Cap into a no killing hero, though. He's a frickin soldier, unlike Kal-El.

[Magneto_X]

Supes got Lois pregnant and is thus unworthy as he left her alone. Oh, wait that was the movie.

It was a nice plot nuance and of no great theological import.

Supes also turned down sex from Wonder Woman.

No man's man would do that! :D

[Magneto_X]

That having been said, If the same situation were to occur and the closest guy was Lobo, then I think we'd be screwed.

Actually I think Lobo would be able to lift Mjolnir.

He's a lot closer to a warrior than Superman ever was.