J. Jonah Jameson (Marvel)/Synopsis

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The history of J. Jonah Jameson from Marvel comic.

Biography

Past

Jameson was born in Los Angeles, California 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 intense 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 battles Spider-Man himself using a Spider-Slayer.

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 returned 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 who 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 Alistair 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 hired 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.

Other Appearances

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

“	YOU'RE HISTORY, BROCK!! OUTTA HERE!! FIRED!!!	„
	~ Jameson firing Eddie Brock for lying to him.

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 the late Ed Asner, who also played Roland Daggett in Batman: The Animated Series, Hoggish Greedly in Captain Planet & the Planeteers, Burbank in Gargoyles, Granny Goodness in Superman: The Animated Series, Ed Wuncler I in The Boondocks, Martin Schultz in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Sid Weinberg in Cobra Kai.

Spider-Man Unlimited

Jameson made a cameo in Spider-Man Unlimited, where he was voiced by Richard Newman.

Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy

“	He doesn't want to be famous? Then I'll make him infamous!	„
	~ J. Jonah Jameson's plans to incriminate Spider-Man.

Spider-Man

Following the appearance of Spider-Man in New York City, Jameson immediately took a disliking to the superhero, believing he was nothing more than a costumed vigilante and that the real heroes were ones like police officers, firemen, and astronauts (like his son). He hated the idea of reporting on Spider-Man, but when newspapers with Spider-Man headlining sold out, he decided to continue reporting on Spider-Man to make extra profit as well as use his newspaper to antagonize and defame him in the process. However, needing better pictures, he hires Peter Parker as a freelance photographer, unaware Parker is Spider-Man.

Later on, after Spider-Man's encounter and subsequent battle with the Green Goblin, Jameson uses the newspaper to report that Spider-Man and the Goblin worked together to attack the city. Then, intent on finding Spider-Man, the Green Goblin crashes through the building's wall on his glider and attacks Jameson, holding him in a choke hold and demanding who the photographer who takes pictures of Spider-Man is.

As Peter rushes to get into costume and confront the Goblin, Jameson honorably stalls and lies, telling the Goblin that he does not know the photographer's identity and that his pictures come to him by mail. The Goblin is not fooled, but Spider-Man arrives and tells the Green Goblin to put Jameson down. The Goblin does so, but Jameson retaliates by exclaiming that Spider-Man's quick arrival was proof the two were working together. Spider-Man simply webs his mouth shut, however, and Jameson escapes.

Afterwards, Jameson glorifies himself in the newspapers by writing that he was the brave hero fending off two supervillains in his office. Jameson continues to falsely report on Spider-Man, even writing a headline saying that the people demand his arrest.

Spider-Man 2

“	Yes. Spider-Man... was a hero; I just couldn't see it. He was a... A THIEF! A criminal! He stole my suit! He's a menace to the entire city! I want that wall-crawling arachnid prosecuted! I want him strung up by his web! I WANT SPIDER-MAN!!!	„
	~ Jameson after Spider-Man takes back his costume.

Jameson becomes a supporting antagonist. He continues to defame Spider-Man, and demands a constant supply of Spider-Man pictures to use in his paper. He even threatens to fire Peter when Peter says he does not want to let Jameson hurt Spider-Man anymore.

After an accident that turned Dr. Otto Octavius into Doctor Octopus, Jameson immediately singles him out as a new supervillain and gives him is name of "Doctor Octopus". He wants to fire Peter for not getting any pictures of the accident, but hires him again when he needs Peter to cover for his society photographer at a ball to celebrate his son John. When Peter asks if he can be paid in advance, Jameson burts into a fit of laughter before realising that Parker is serious and flatly refuses.

At the event, Jameson has Peter take pictures of him and his wife with New York's elite, and later has him take a picture of his son John with his new fiancée Mary Jane Watson, unaware Mary Jane is Peter's love interest.

With a mounting series of troubles including Jameson's defaming, losing his powers, losing his lover, missing school and work, and losing his best friend Harry Osborn, Peter Parker decides to quit being Spider-Man and throws his costume in the garbage. A garbageman finds the costume and delivers it to Jameson, who laughs and mounts the costume as a trophy on the wall of his office.

Later, Doctor Octopus resurfaces and kidnaps Mary Jane, using the return of Spider-Man as her ransom. Jameson, for the first time, feels regret and remorse, as he knows if he had not helped drive Spider-Man away, Spider-Man could have stopped Ock. However, Peter regains his powers and goes after Ock, taking his suit back from Jameson's office, causing Jameson to lash out in a fit of rage and go back to hating Spider-Man. He is last seen at his son's wedding after Mary Jane stands John up at the altar, telling his wife to call the caterer and tell her not to open the caviar.

Spider-Man 3

“	Jameson: Pack your things. Get out of my building. Eddie: I was just try... Jameson: YOU'RE FIRED!	„
	~ Jameson firing Eddie Brock.

Jameson makes his third appearance in Spider-Man 3, this time as a supporting character once more. Despite Jameson's efforts, Spider-Man receives a surge in popularity, becoming something of an icon for New York. Sales begin to drop based on the fact that The Daily Bugle is one of the only anti-Spider-Man newspapers anymore, but Jameson hires a new freelance photographer named Eddie Brock Jr. to bring in more Spider-Man photos. Following his firing of a staff photographer named Johnson (though he initially believes that Johnson had quit), he is then presented with a choice over who will get the staff photographer job that has now opened up: Brock, whose pictures he likes better, or Parker, who has worked with the paper for years and been loyal to them. Jameson decides that the one that gets a picture of Spider-Man doing something incriminating will get the job.

Some time later after Spider-Man dons his new black suit, Brock submits a photo of the black-suited Spider-Man robbing a bank. A delighted Jameson gives Brock the staff job, but a furious Peter comes forward with evidence that Brock's photo is a fake based on one supplied by Peter. Despite his hatred for Spider-Man, Jameson is completely outraged by Brock's actions for violating his journalistic integrity, forcing the Bugle to a retraction as a result (which he claims he hasn't had to do in twenty years). In light of these revelations, Jameson furiously fires Brock and issues the retraction with a brief but sincere apology to Spider-Man for the trouble that Eddie caused.

Peter later comes by to sell Jameson his pictures, and demands double money and the staff job if Jameson wants them. Jameson reluctantly agrees, and notes Peter's sudden change in personality, caused by the corruption of the suit. Jameson later appears witnessing the battle between Spider-Man, the New Goblin, Sandman, and Venom, wondering where Parker is and why he is not taking pictures. He buys a camera from a little girl, and is angry when he is forced to buy film as well.

Despite no more films being released, it is safely assumed that Jameson continued to serve as Peter's boss and bash Spider-Man.

He was famously portrayed by J.K. Simmons, who also portrayed the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Alexander Rausch in Homicide: Life on the Street, Vernon Schillinger in Oz, Skip in Aliens in the Attic, Cave Johnson in the Portal series, Terence Fletcher in Whiplash, Kai in Kung Fu Panda 3, Captain Matt McKenna in 21 Bridges, Omni-Man in Invincible, Ivo Shandor in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Captain Putty in Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers.

The Simpsons

J. Jonah Jameson makes a cameo appearance in the season eighteen episode "Moe'N'a Lisa" of the animated sitcom television series The Simpsons, with J. K. Simmons reprising the role. In the episode, he runs a poetry publishing agency that steals Moe Szyslak's poem and uses it in a poetry book without permission. He later demands photos of Spider-Man. After being told that he runs a poetry publishing agency, Jameson demands poems about Spider-Man.

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 was voiced by Keith Carradine.

Spectacular Spider-Man

Jameson appears a supporting character and minor antagonist as he still uses libel against Spider-Man. He has continual mood swings that cause him to be 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, voiced again by J.K. Simmons. His roles are usually minor, however.

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 Universe

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.

Cyanide and Happiness

A parody of Jameson, named John J. Johanson, appears in the episode "The Daily Boogle" of the adult animated webseries Cyanide and Happiness, voiced by Joel Watson. The episode serves as a comedic parody of Spider-Man, with Johanson demanding pictures of "Spider-Dude" from his photographer Parker Peters, but it is later revealed that he wants the photos because he is sexually attracted to Spider-Dude and enjoys looking at him in sensual poses.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Main article: J. Jonah Jameson (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Robot Chicken

He makes a cameo in one episode at a press conference held by the mayor of Houston to condemn Spider-Man after April O'Neil attempts to promote the Ninja Turtles.