J. Jonah Jameson

"There's an old saying. Enemies can kill you, but only your friends can hurt you. Spider-Man was a thorn in my side. He ticked me off, embarrassed me, infuriated me... but it's Peter who has finally succeeded in hurting me. And there is a price for that, Robbie. There is one hell of a price for that."

- Jameson "Turn on the TV. Go online. Pick up a newspaper. We hate them. We love them. We worship them. We condemn them. Hell, maybe we're the ones who elevate them. Maybe we force them to live like this because we need them to live like this. Maybe the only reason they exist is because we can't solve our own problems."

- Jameson's view on superheroes. "He doesn't want to be famous? Then I'll make him infamous."

- Jameson's plans to incriminate Spider-Man.

John Jonah Jameson Jr. is a major antagonist from Marvel Comics, most often serving as an antagonist to Spider-Man, She-Hulk, and the Fantastic Four. He is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Now Magazine, Woman magazine, and most importantly, The Daily Bugle newspaper and website. Jameson holds a hatred for all superhuman or superpowered individuals (especially Spider-Man), and will often use libel and slander in his newspapers and reports to defame and incriminate them to make them seem like villains in the public eye, all to fuel his personal goals and bias.

Though he usually serves as a non-action antagonist, he will occasionally step into the fray and hire assassins and supervillains to kill superheroes, and is directly responsible for the creation of some other extremely dangerous supervillains, namely Scorpion and Man-Wolf. On rare occasions, Jameson will even do battle himself with use of his robotic Spider-Slayers.

Past
Jameson was born to John Jonah Jameson Sr. and Betty Jameson. However, his father left for unknown reasons when Jameson was still a child, leaving Jameson to be raised by his mother and eventual stepfather, retired United States Army veteran David Jameson. However, he was abused by his stepfather, leading him to believe that "heroes" were not always good people. He grew up a Boy Scout and took up hobbies in boxing and photography, and later courted his crush Joan in high school. When he was attacked by three bullies, he used his boxing skills to easily beat them, impressing Joan and kicking off their dating. The two married right out of high school.

Jameson began his journalism career by starting as a paperboy, and later as a reporter for New York City's newspaper The Daily Bugle, later serving as a war correspondent. Through personal assets and inheritance from his recently (presumed) deceased parents, Jameson eventually acquired enough funds to open his own company, Jameson Publications, which then bought the struggling Daily Bugle with the intention of revitalizing it from a cheap tabloid to a popular newspaper. Jameson bought a building to turn into The Daily Bugle's office. He and Joan later would have their son John Jonah Jameson III, but shortly after Joan passed away from unknown circumstances.

Despite his hatred for superhumans, Jameson held a respect for normal human minority groups and was a strong opponent of organized crime, even leading to assassination attempts by the Kingpin.

Conflict with Spider-Man
As the number of superhuman individuals began to grow, Jameson became more infuriated by their theatrics and disregard for the law. He began targeting them and even falsifying information regarding their actions in his newspaper to defame and villainize them in the public eye. Though he spoke out against superheroes like the Fantastic Four, Hulk, She-Hulk, and X-Men, he primarily targeted local and less professional superhero Spider-Man, who was, at that time, little more than an entertainer. However, as he began to rise as a superhero vigilante, Jameson soon began defaming Spider-Man, causing so much public hatred for Spider-Man that he was effectively blacklisted from appearing in entertainment.

Soon after, Spider-Man saved Jameson's son, who had become an astronaut, from a disastrous space capsule accident. Despite this, Jameson accused Spider-Man of sabotaging the capsule as a publicity stunt, and incriminated him with the destruction of government property and the endangering of his son's life. Spider-Man became an outcast and an outlaw. Shortly after, Jameson hired a freelance photographer name Peter Parker, who took pictures of Spider-Man's battle against the Vulture.

Jameson continued to villainize Spider-Man and discredit his public image through lies and libel, though Spider-Man continued his vigilantism. Eventually, Jameson was overcome with rage and decided to take matters into his own hands. He commissioned Dr. Farley Stillwell to biologically mutate and enhance criminal MacDonald Gargan into the vicious supervillain Scorpion to kill Spider-Man, though this failed when Gargan turned against him. He would later get Spencer Smythe to create the Spider-Slayers, controlled by him, to battle Spider-Man, though this too failed. He would later hire Daniel Berkhart, the second Mysterio, to defeat Spider-Man, but again failed. Jameson fled to France, and retured to try and continue the Spider-Slayer program with Dr. Marla Madison. Though this failed as well, Jameson and Madison fell in love with each other during their time together, and were eventually married.

Business and Family
Later, the Hobgoblin attempted to blackmail Jameson for his involvement in the creation of the Scorpion. Though this failed, Jameson publicly announced his guilt and stepped down as The Daily Bugle's editor-in-chief, though he remained a publisher. Though he made other attempts to bring down Spider-Man by hiring the Wild Pack, he mainly laid low. He was later kidnapped and impersonated by the Chameleon, who once again used his newspaper to spread anti-Spider-Man propaganda. He was saved by Spider-Man, and The Daily Bugle was temporarily run by Thomas Fireheart, a.k.a. Puma, who was an ally of Spider-Man. Shortly after Jameson regained control of the company, he was blackmailed into selling it to Norman Osborn under the threat of homicide attempts on his wife. He was soon after attacked by supervillain Mad Jack, causing him to go through a downfall until Osborn was driven mad by a ritual he had performed and the company was sold back to Jameson.

Soon after, Jameson and his wife adopted their niece Mattie Franklin, who was also the Spider-Woman. Jameson learned of her identity after a failed heroic outing where she had to be saved by Jessica Jones. Jameson, in return, hired Jones as an investigator and promoted her agency.

Jameson was later attacked by Mysterio, who made it appear that Spider-Man killed him in a deliberate car crash. Jameson was kidnapped by Mysterio, who used illusions to make Jameson believe he was dead and in Hell, tormented by a Spider-Man demon. Jameson was eventually saved by Spider-Man, but lasted deeper hatred for the wall crawler because of the traumatic event.

Civil War
Jameson eventually reached his breaking point during the Civil War, where his son married She-Hulk and he had to contend with a superhuman he hated being his daughter-in-law. Additionally, as a part of the Superhuman Registration Act, Peter Parker announced himself to the world as Spider-Man, angering Jonah and making him feel betrayed. He attempted to sue Peter for fraud, but Parker was protected by the Act.

Finally snapping from rage, Jameson brought back a Spider-Slayer robot and attacked She-Hulk, who defeated him. Jameson committed several acts of libel against Peter and even demanded his arrest. When The Daily Bugle's then editor-in-chief and longtime friend of Jonah Robbie Robertson objected, Jameson fired him. Spider-Man asked Jameson to rehire Robertson, and Jameson only agreed if he could continue his lawsuit. Spider-Man agreed, then told Jameson to beat him. Jameson was reluctant at first, but proceeded to punch Spider-Man numerous times. spider-Man then gave Jameson a roll of film containing pictures he had taken of the "fight", telling him to use them as he pleased. However, in a rush of remorse, Jameson destroyed the film, rehired Robbie, and dropped the lawsuit.

Heart Attacks
Later, when Peter Parker sold his marriage to Mary Jane Watson-Parker to Mephisto in order to wipe everyone's memories of his secret identity, Jameson lost all memory of ho Spider-Man was. However, the Bugle was under threat of being purchased by Dexter Bennett, causing Jameson to become angry. During an argument with Peter over money, Jameson suddenly collapsed from a heart attack. He was saved, but suffered a second heart attack when he heard his wife had sold the Bugle to Dexter Bennett while he was ill. He recovered, but had lost his nerve and even some of his famous temper.

His wife, Marla, tried to regain the Bugle but it was attacked by Alistaire Smythe, and she was killed in the process.

Mayor of New York
With no company or family to return to, Jameson used his falsified heroic public image to run for mayor and won. Even though Spider-Man and even Jameson's biological father urged him to end his vendetta and bury the hatchet, Jameson instead used his power to assemble an Anti-Spider Squad to hunt down Spider-Man. Spider-Man did his best to remain a hero while being hunted, infuriating Jonah. Even though the Anti-Spider Squad cost the local government a lot and was borderline illegal, Jameson continued it. The organization gained some favor during the infamous "Spider Island" incident.

However, after a series of events where Peter Parker and Doctor Octopus switched bodies, Octavias became the "Superior Spider-Man" and saved Horizon Labs. Jameson, ironically, softened his heart to the new, darker "Spider-Man" (he was unaware it was not the same Spider-Man), and tried to help him. The Superior Spider-Man tried to force Jameson to give him control of the Raft prison, causing Jameson to hate him again. He commissioned new Spider-Slayers, even though the city was being terrorized by the Green Goblin and his organization, the Goblin Nation. This created a scandal that worsened when the Nation took control of the robots, causing Jameson to resign in disgrace. Spider-Man eventually returned and defeated Octopus.

Fact Channel
With no company left to go to and a poor public image, Jameson was hied as a reporter for the Fact Channel. He reported on a story that was interrupted by Black Cat and Electro, and ordered the cameraman to film the ensuing battle when Spider-Man and Silk arrived. Electro managed to electrocute and stun Spider-Man, and Black Cat attempted to remove his mask. Jameson demanded the cameraman zoom in to catch it, but Spider-Man stopped Black Cat before she could do it.

Jameson later used his reporting job to support the company New U Technologies, who claimed they could revive the dead with a new chemical formula, and did so with Jameson's deceased wife Marla. However, New U turned out to be a fraud, cloning patients instead of reviving/curing them. To make matters worse, all carried a disease called the Carrion Virus, which was exploited by Doctor Octopus, causing a worldwide epidemic. Spider-Man was able to stop the disease, but Jameson was fired from his job due to his support of New U.

Interview of the Century
Jameson was later contacted by S.H.I.E.L.D, who asked him to help Spider-Man catch a fugitive named Teresa Durand. Jameson agreed as long as he could finally interview Spider-Man. Tensions rose as the interview progressed, but ended with Jonah finally breaking down and admitting the reason he hated Spider-Man more than anyone was because he was envious of what he had. In order to finally bury the hatchet, Spider-Man revealed his identity to Jonah.

1967 series
Jameson appears as recurring minor antagonist in the 1967 animated series Spider-Man, appearing as more dimwitted, but still using the Spider-Slayer to try and get Spider-Man.

He was voiced by the late Paul Kligman.

1980s Marvel Animated Universe
Jameson appeared again in the animated Spider-Man series that ran from 1981 to 1982, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, which ran from 1981 to 1983, and The Incredible Hulk which ran from 1982 to 1983. This interpretation also owned a television station.

He was again voiced by the late Paul Kligman.

Spider-Man: The Animated Series
Jameson appeared as a minor antagonist in the 1990s animated series, again using libel and incrimination tactics to defame Spider-Man.

He was voiced by Ed Asner.

Spider-Man Unlimited
Jameson made a cameo in Spider-Man Unlimited.

He was voiced by Richard Newman.

Sam Rami Spider-Man trilogy
Jameson appears as a major antagonist in all three of Sam Rami's live-action Spider-Man films. Here, he is portrayed as cynical and bitter, but honorable. Though he does not resort to the violence and illegal actions he does in the comics, he uses libel to defame Spider-Man and even cause him to temporarily quit in the second film.

He was portrayed famously by J.K. Simmons. In the first video game tie-in, he was voiced by Dee Bradley Baker. In the second video game tie-in for the second film, he was voiced by Jay Gordon. However, in the video-game tie-in for the third film, Simmons reprised his role.

The Amazing Spider-Man films
Jonah makes no physical appearance in the films; however, he is seen messaging Peter Parker about Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, where he refuses to accept Spider-Man is a hero.

Spider-Man: The New Animated Series
Jameson appears as a more heroic character in Spider-Man: The New Animated Series as Peter Parker's boss who still does not like Spider-Man and incriminates him for crimes, but is kinder to Peter.

He is voiced by Kieth Carridine.

Spectacular Spider-Man
Jameson appears a supporting character and is played more as a comic relief than his other versions, though he still uses libel against Spider-Man. He has continual mood swings that cause him to chipper and extravagant one minute and bitter and violent the next.

He was voiced by Daran Norris.

2010 Marvel Animated Universe
Jameson appears as a recurring antagonist in the 2010 Marvel Animated Universe, appearing in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes and Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man. His roles are usually minor, however.

He was voiced again by J.K. Simmons.

Marvel's Avengers Assemble
Jameson makes a cameo in a few episodes.

Marvel's Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H
Jameson appears as a minor antagonist, speaking out against Hulk and the agents of S.M.A.S.H. on numerous occasions.

The role was once again reprised by J.K. Simmons.

Spider-Man: Edge of Time
Jameson appears as a minor character in Spider-Man: Edge of Time, part of the Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions series.

He was voiced by Fred Tatasciore.

LEGO Marvel Superheroes: Maximum Overload
Jameson makes a minor cameo appearance, again voiced by J.K. Simmons.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
Jameson appears as a minor comic relief character and playable character in the LEGO Marvel Super Heroes video game.

He was voiced by John DiMaggio.

Personality
John Jonah Jameson Jr. is bitter, cynical, and wrathful, and is not afraid to show it. He is constantly cruel to his staff and those around him, and is often bossy, short-tempered, and controlling. He especially hates superhumans (both heroes and villains), and will resort to lies, slander, libel, and propaganda to defame and distort their public images. He rarely enters the fray himself, but when he does, he is shown to be determined and even a bit sadistic, as he wants nothing more than power over his opponents. This, of course, translates over to his constant conflict with Spider-Man, which has pushed him to outright criminal actions and supervillainy himself. Even when he is not engaging opponents physically, he will hire or recruit others to do it for him, such as Mysterio and the Anti-Spider Squad, crossing over into a field of evil that he himself claims to despise. He can even be unstable and lash out in rage and violence, such as with his attack on She-Hulk.

However, Jameson is shown that deep don, he has a more caring side, which he expresses to his wives, son, and Peter Parker at times. Wihle he has shown that he is not above villainy to achieve his goals, he is not expressly evil, and does care about his city and its people. It has also been revealed multiple times that Jameson hates superhumans, especially Spider-Man, really because he is envious of their gifts.

Trivia

 * Stan Lee modeled Jameson's appearance and personality off of himself, and even expressed a desire to portray Jameson in film or television someday.