There are many heroes in Marvel Comics who have proven themselves of wielding Thor’s hammer Mjolnir, but Devil Dinosaur is probably one that few readers would have expected. As Mjolnir itself reads, “Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the powers of Thor.” The list of individuals worthy to wield the hammer has remained short, particularly once you discount those who lifted Mjolnir via cloning, magical enchantments, electromagnetic manipulation, and various other means to circumvent the “worthiness” requirement. The most notable members of this exclusive club include Beta Ray Bill, Captain America, Jane Foster, and even DC’s Wonder Woman and Superman. In 2019, Moon Girl’s stalwart companion Devil Dinosaur showed that he too was worthy.
What makes someone worthy of wielding Mjolnir has always remained vague: even a particular individual’s worthiness could wax and wane over time. The requirements also appear to be incredibly strict, as a number of generally heroic characters have been snubbed by the magical hammer. Perhaps then it should come as a surprise that Devil Dinosaur, a literalTyrannosaurus rex, meets the high bar to claim the powers of Thor as his own. However, if we look beyond Devil’s scaly, crimson exterior then it starts to become more apparent why the gargantuan reptile is a likelier candidate than most to lift the hammer.
The big moment happens in 2019’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #43 by Brandon Montclare and Gustavo Duarte. Summoned to Asgard by Thor to help solve a riddle, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur find themselves coming to blows with the Asgardians following a misunderstanding. In the melee, Moon Girl deflects Mjolnir in the air sending it into the two-fingered hands of Devil Dinosaur and “Thunder Lizard” (or “Dino-Thor” as Moon Girl quips) is born. The riddle recited earlier in the issue foreshadows Devil’s worthiness and states, “Only those pure of heart shall prove the key.” Even Thor muses that only “those pure of heart” are worthy of the hammer, and it’s difficult to think of a more legitimately pure-hearted individual than Devil Dinosaur. In spite of his appearance and general ferociousness when called to battle, Devil is a gentle giant. Earlier in the same issue, he spends most of his time happily quaffing down entire kegs of Asgardian ale alongside the Warriors Three and the inebriated Tyrannosaurus nearly averts violence with his romantic overtures towards a dragon. Much like Thor, Devil “thinks with his heart” and is quick to action rather than thinking things out.
Devil Dinosaur Has Proved Himself Worthy Time and Time Again
Going back to much earlier in their history, Moon Girl once failed in her mission to avoid the Terrigen Mist (activating her Inhuman genes) in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #6. As she is helplessly encased in a cocoon for the duration of the process, Devil Dinosaur immediately picks up Moon Girl and ushers her away to her base. There, Devil curls around her cocoon and protects her like a six-thousand-pound golden retriever. Much later in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #44, Devil Dinosaur encounters the displayed fossil remains of another Tyrannosaurus, one that Devil recognizes as a former mate. He first mourns and then tenderly nuzzles the bones, despite having seen her last over sixty-five million years ago. Even going back to his debut in the 1970s in Devil Dinosaur by the legendary Jacky Kirby and Mike Royer, Devil Dinosaur dedicates his life to the protection and companionship of the ape-like Moon Boy.
While few are worthy to wield Mjolnir, Devil Dinosaur is justly rewarded with the honor. Whether he’s defending young Lunella Lafayette, befriending his fellow superheroes, or even giving rides to Lunella’s PS 20 classmates, there’s never been a sign of a malevolent bone in the dinosaur’s body. Devil Dinosaur may be a ferocious warrior, but none could argue against the purity of his heart nor his worthiness to wield Mjolnir.
