J. Jonah Jameson

Origin

J. Jonah Jameson was born to David and Betty Jameson. His father was a United States Army officer and a veteran war hero. But David Jameson was an abusive man and would regularly beat his wife and son, which caused Jonah to grow up convinced that even heroes could be and indeed were evil. During high school Jonah was active in boxing and photography. When he joined the photography club he met Joan, who would eventually become his wife. When some bullies began bullying Jonah, he fought back and beat all of them. Joan was impressed and the two of them started dating soon after. They would marry after high school.

Creation

J. Jonah Jameson was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #1. It has been said that J. Jonah Jameson was partially based upon how Stan Lee thought that his readers would perceive him- indeed, the first panel which he appears in has him hunched over a typewriter, typing frantically.

Character Evolution

Although Jonah at first appeared to simply be a one-dimensional, raving tycoon with a grudge against Spider-Man, he has evolved over the years to show that he has a kind side too (notably towards his employees when he was in charge of the Daily Bugle, whom he would often side with and support), and that he has a myriad of deep, and arguably rational, reasons for his dislike and hatred of Spider-Man.

Why he “hates” Spider-Man

Jameson is always thwarted, embarrassed, and frustrated by Spider-Man. He hates the “costumed freaks” more than he’s ever hated anyone before. He’ll never be content while he’s free. Initially, Jonah targeted Spiderman for taking much deserved media attention away from his astronaut son, and distrusts him for operating outside of the law. However, Jameson’s hatred never blinds him or subtracts his integrity, as he always reported whenever his attacks on Spiderman’s character was proven wrong and has helped Spiderman when he felt it was for the greater good.

Major Story Arcs

A Son and a Death

Jonah became a journalist after he graduated from school. He found his first job at the Daily Bugle. During his time as a journalist he met the original Human Torch, Jim Hammond, and Namor MacKenzie, the Sub-Mariner, for the first time. Jameson, skeptical of both of them, refused to trust anyone whom he was convinced operated outside the law. During World War II, he went to Europe to cover the war.

After World War II, Jonah and Joan had a son, whom they named John. When the Korean War started, Jonah went out on the field to cover that war also. Eventually returning home, Jonah discovered that his wife had been killed by a mugger. Jonah became obsessed with his work in hopes of forgetting the pain the loss of his wife caused. Jonah worked so hard that he was eventually promoted to Chief Editor of the Daily Bugle. During his time as a reporter, Jonah had contributed in helping to bring down organized crime, and also supported civil rights.

The War Against Spider-Man

Spider-Man came to town when Jameson’s son John became a great astronaut. The media were all over Spider-Man, but Jameson had a far different–and much more evil–plan. Since he had never trusted heroes to begin with, and since Spider-Man was taking all of the press away from his son, Jameson would try and expose Spider-Man as a criminal. Even on an occasion when Spider-Man saved John’s life, Jameson instead accused Spider-Man of having falsified the whole event that had plunged John’s life into danger in the first place.

Jameson’s and Spider-Man’s relationship existed this way for a long time. Jameson’s anger only grew with time because he was convinced that no hero ever stayed a hero indefinitely. He would print countless articles attempting to prove that Spider-Man was a criminal. However, he always ended up having to print retraction articles soon after when Spider-Man again proved him wrong. Due to David Jameson’s abuse, Jonah Jameson would stay convinced that every hero always had a hidden agenda and that all their agendas were always against the law.

The Spider-Slayers

Jameson would always post rewards for anyone who would capture Spider-Man or uncover his true identity, and he even went so far as to work with Spencer Smythe’s Spider-Slayer in trying to capture Spider-Man. Jameson hired Mac Gargan to test out a genetic enhancement which transformed Gargan into the Scorpion because a scorpion was the spider’s main enemy (the Scorpion had incredible powers, but a side affect was insanity). The Scorpion instead tried to kill Jameson for what he had done to him, only to be stopped by Spider-Man. Eventually Jameson hired Silver Sable to try and capture Spider-Man.

Green Goblin

As the first Green Goblin terrorized the world, JJJ used his paper to campaign against it. Meanwhile, Jameson was attending parties and becoming a friend to Norman Osborn through such social hangouts as the Century Club, not knowing that the pumpkin wielding menace and leader of Oscorp were one and the same.

Meanwhile, a former criminal known as Fredrick Foswell began to do detective work by pretending to be a criminal named Patch and then publishing illegal activities in the Daily Bugle. Jameson was delighted with Foswell’s work. When Kraven came to New York, Jameson was fascinated and planned to have his papers praise the bold hunter. When animals escaped and Kraven stopped them, Jameson became enthralled by the Russian superstar, unaware that Kraven had released the animals on purpose for fun and publicity. JJJ supported Kraven’s quest to defeat Spiderman, but disapproved when Kraven mentioned slaying the webslinger, saying he only wanted Spidey to be brought to justice. He was shocked to learn that Kraven was really a crook.

When Kingpin first began to get the city in his grasp, Jameson began to use his papers to fight back and reveal him. Meanwhile, Spiderman became so tired of Jameson’s campaign against him that he quit. At first, Jameson was delighted, especially when he found Spidey’s abandoned costume. He even had the red and blue suit framed in his office. However, when Kingpin captured and began to kill him, he began to wish Spiderman was still around. In fact, Spiderman did return (taking the costume right out of JJJ’s office), but was still overpowered by the Kingpin. The two were chained together and were nearly executed, but they escaped. Even so, Fredrick Foswell had to die to save Jonah. Jameson blamed Spiderman for everything, but showed Foswell as the hero he was in the Daily Bugle the following day.

A New Love in Jonah’s Live

Later Jameson hired Dr. Marla Madison to create new Spider-Slayers because Spider-Man had destroyed all the previous ones and Spencer Smythe, who had created them, was now one of Jameson’s enemies. Madison became interested with the challenge Spider-Man brought and kept working with Jameson. Eventually the two began to feel romantic feelings to one another, and soon started dating. Jonah was a changed, and sometimes even smiling, man. Some months later, the two married, making Marla Jonah’s second wife. The day of the wedding however went disastrous as the criminal known as the Scorpion abducted Marla in hopes of hurting Jonah, whom was responsible for the Scorpions’ costume and the fact that he could not take it off anymore. Eventually, the day was saved by Spider-Man, much to Jonah’s dislike. They adopted Mattie Franklin soon after. When Jameson discovered Osborn was the Green Goblin, he took it as a personal insult.

Blackmailed

The Hobgoblin later blackmailed Jameson with the information that Jameson had commissioned the creation of the criminal known as the Scorpion. Unbeknownst to Jameson, the Hobgoblin was secretly fellow Century Club member, Roderick Kingsley. Not wishing to be blackmailed, Jameson instead revealed his role in having created the Scorpion to the general public. Jameson then stepped down as Chief Editor and gave the job to Robbie Robertson. It was the Hobgoblin’s blackmailing that caused Jameson to put Ned Leeds on the Hobgoblin story, in hopes of finding out just who he was, which in turn caused Leeds’ own downfall.

Losing the Bugle to Norman Osborn

When Norman Osborn seemed to have returned from the dead, he soon bought out Jameson as owner of his newspaper, the Daily Bugle. Norman told eveybody he had been spending the time in Europe and that he was not really the Green Goblin. Now Jonah and Norman where both owners of the paper. It shocked Jonah’s employees to see him act like a puppy whenever Norman Osborn was around. This however, had a very profound reason. Norman Osborn threatened to heart Jonah’s loved ones if he would so much as abstruct him in any way. Eventually the ruse got out that Norman was in fact the Green Goblin. He was put in a mental-hospital and Jonah regained the rights as owner of the Daily Bugle once again.

Civil War

When Spider-Man revealed to the world that he was Peter Parker, Jameson was crushed. He had always believed Parker to be an honest kid, whom he loved like a son. He loved the fact that Parker would ignore Jameson’s rudeness and still bring photo after photo to him. Jameson thought he had a bond of trust with Parker, but after Parker revealed himself to be Spider-Man, that bond was shattered. Jameson believed that Parker kept working at the Bugle to gain a laugh at Jameson for being so stupid as not to realize that he was Spider-Man. Jameson became so hateful of Parker as to want to ruin him, even though Parker had sided with the Super-Human Registration Act. Jameson tried to sue Parker for fraud for all the photos he had taken of himself as Spider-Man, but the government gave Parker immunity to these charges because of all his good deeds and because he was a registered hero.

Jameson’s son John later married attorney Jennifer Walters, the crusading adventuress known as the She-Hulk. This angered Jameson even more, and he even sent a Spider-Slayer to attack the She-Hulk. The She-Hulk instead defeated it easily and tried to work things out with Jameson. As Jennifer Walters, she offered to take the case to prove Spider-Man was a fraud, but she later told John that all she really intended to do was drag the case out for a long time to make Jameson mad.

When Spider-Man went rogue from Captain America’s Secret Avengers, Jameson posted another reward to bring Spider-Man in. Later it was revealed that Betty Brant had been secretly giving information to a rival paper about libel reports on Parker. Still feeling anger on Peter’s alleged betrayal, Jonah fired Robbie. When Betty told this to Peter, he webbed Jonah’s office and left a note saying that they have to talk that has been long overdue. When they met, Spider-Man tried to persuade Jonah to get Robbie his job back, but he ask him to make a choice between his lawsuit against him or Robbie’s job. Then Spider-Man ask Jonah to him to release him frustrations to him which he reluctantly did. Spider-Man then used his insults and wise-cracks on Jonah that made him even angrier to the point that he broke his hand because of so much hitting. Spider-Man they gave him a film containing picture of Jonah’s assault on him and told Jonah that the pictures will sell a gazillion copies. Jonah came back to the Bugle and destroyed the film by stomping it and left the Bugle. He was accidentally hit by Betty by the door that resulted in him getting two black eyes. He then goes to Robbie’s home and told what happened to him and said that he can have his job back and he dropped the charges on Spider-Man. He later become skeptical on Spider-Man’s true identity when the Scarlet Spiders “unmasked” themselves as Peter Parker, stating that Peter was always have been in their team but was let go because of attitude problem.

Brand New Day and Mayor of New York City

After “One More Day,” the event where Mephisto rewrites Peter’s history to save his Aunt May’s life, no one remembers Spider-Man’s true identity, including Jonah. Jonah was facing a buyout since Peter has not been taking pictures of Spider-Man and the departure of his best reporter, Ben Urich. When Peter confronted him about his delayed paycheck, both him and Jonah had a war of words where Parker said that he had made JJJ. Jonah then had a heart attack. With the editor-in-chief incapacitated, his wife sold off the Bugle to Dexter Bennett. He returned to Bugle and again suffered another heart attack when he discovered that the Bugle was sold off. He attempted going out into the middle of feet of snow in only a hospital nightgown to find and tell his mind to Bennet, but the hospital staff stopped him.

When he returned home, he was enraged at the wife (who had temporarily left), but had trouble expressing his anger due to the fear of another heart attack. However, as his physical situation improved, an interesting turn of events related to the terrorism and violence of Menace, the position of mayor became open, and Jameson took it. Jameson now hates Bennet even more than he hates Spider-Man.

Dark Reign

Meanwhile, Norman Osborn, who had quit being the Green Goblin, became in charge of the super community and replaced SHIELD with HAMMER. Norman Osborn’s Avengers (the so-called Dark Avengers) had Venom masquerading as Spider-Man on it (a fact Osborn was fully aware of). The current Venom was Mac Gargan, who blamed Jameson for giving him insanity that got him arrested back when he got his powers. After a stripper discovered Gargan’s identity as Venom, Mac killed her and left her body in Jameson’s bed to frame a murder. People began to suspect Jameson. Next, Mac used money gotten from selling stolen Iron Man suits as well as his position as an Avenger to start a gang war, causing crime to sky rocket. With Jameson’s popularity plummeting, the former publisher turned to Osborn and begged him to have an Avenger work with him to fight crime, protect him, and (mostly) to boost publicity. Jameson wanted Ms. Marvel (really Moonstone), because she captivated people due to her provocative clothing and attractive looks. Osborn wanted a better influence (and something more public) with Mac to prevent Venom from continuing to compromise the Spider-man identity, so he told Osborn to accept the former Scorpion instead. Fearing for his position, a distraught Jameson felt forced to comply. Meanwhile, Venom plans to kill Jameson with this new position (Osborn was unaware Mac harbored a grudge towards JJJ). Macs plot is being threatened though because the Redeemer and his team are planning to get Venom removed from the Avengers.

One of Jonah’s first acts as Mayor was to create his own Anti Spider Squad, equipped with suits of Mandroid armour, to hunt down Spider-Man. In response to this, Spider-Man ends up fighting crime and saving people around the clock to annoy Jameson, although when a fight with the new Vulture disturbs a baseball game, he ends up giving up this attempt. Jameson also later hires Peter Parker as his press photographer, after the latter is out of a job and seeking work.

The Gauntlet

During the events of the Gauntlet, the new Vulture, Jimmy Natale, starts attacking gangsters, as he recalls being mutated by them, and now seeks revenge for his new form. To protect themselves from him, the gangsters put out the word that Jameson created the Vulture, even though nothing could be further from the truth. With his memory somewhat fragmented, Jimmy wholeheartedly believes them, and goes after Jameson.

Spider-Man and a security guard named Gabriel Graham end up saving Jameson from the Vulture, although Graham dies in the process. Spider-Man notices that Jameson is moved by this, and as the public is still sceptical as to whether he created the Vulture or not, creates a fake photo of Jameson fighting the Vulture to try and get the public on his side. Whilst this is successful, Jameson knows that the photo must be faked, and as a result, fires Peter Parker, since he can’t stand false evidence or news.

Big Time

Still seeking revenge on Jameson for his father’s death, Alistair Smythe recruits the Scorpion, in addition to a team of insect-based supervillains, to try and kill J. Jonah Jameson, whilst simultaneously destroying all of the things which he loves, such as his son, and the Daily Bugle. Fortunately, with the help of Spider-Man and the New Avengers none of this is successful, but tragically, Jonah’s wife Marla dies saving Jonah from one of Alistair’s attacks. Afterwards, Jonah griefed constantely but remained on his position as the Mayor of New York City.

A Deal with the Superior Spider-Man

When Peter Parker’s body was taken over by Doctor Octopus, he became the Superior Spider-Man. His change in behavior was noticed by Jonah Jameson. Because of this and the promise to his wife, he started contacting Spider-Man and even began working together with him in Jonah’s effort to stop crime in his city. Jonah agreed to help the Superior Spider-Man in facilitating an organization that would store super-criminals.

However, Jonah’s faith in the new Superior Spider-Man was soon shattered as this Spider-Man eventually double-crossed Jonah. The ensuing media coveridge caused Jonah to relieve himself of his position as Mayor.

Return to the Media

Afterwards, with a renewed hatred for Spider-Man, Jonah returned to the media. But not to his old love, the Daily Bugle, but to a tv station named the Fact-Channel. There, Jonah interviewed his guests with hard-hitting journalism and a bit of ‘Jameson’-flair’.

Characteristics

Gender: Male

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 210 lbs

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Black

Alternate Versions

Marvel 1602 (Earth-311)

In the year 1602, Jameson is Irish colonist and is the publisher of the “Daily Trumpet.” He assigned Peter Parquagh to investigate the “Spider” as he thinks that he could be a threat to the colony.

Earth X (Earth-9997)

When Black Bolt released the Terrigen Mists into the earth’s atmosphere, it gave all humans superpowers. Jameson was turned into a donkey, making him a “jackass.” Also Jameson revealed that Spider-Man is Peter Parker, which ruined his reputation.

House of M (Earth-58163)

In this reality where mutants are the majority, Jameson is the publicist of Peter Parker as Spider-Man, who is beloved as a superhero. When the Green Goblin (Peter Parker made the goblin out of his own guilt of not being a born mutant) gave Jameson Peter’s journal which contains his confessions that he is actually a mutate. Jameson publicizes this but regretted it when Spider-Man appears to have committed suicide.

MC2 Universe (Earth-982)

In the near future, Jameson is still the publisher of the Daily Bugle, and the prime supporter of “Project Human Fly.” When the flight suit was stolen and the test pilot was killed, he thought that the thief was the one responsible. He didn’t knew that the one who currently possess the suit is his grandson Jack Jameson aka The Buzz. He also hires Mayday Parker as his photographer, and in contrast with his feelings for Spider-Man in the past, he actually liked Spider-Girl as a superhero.

Marvel Zombiverse (Earth-2149)

In this reality, Jameson was eaten by a zombified Spider-Man in his office.

Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610)

Jameson is still the same character as in Earth-616 except that he is younger in this universe. He has hired Peter as the newspaper’s webmaster.

Other Media

Television

Jameson has been a regular character in almost all adaptations of Spider-Man.

Animation

• The 1960s Spider-Man animated series contained the most negative depiction of the character, voiced by Paul Kligman, as an egotistical, greedy, cowardly loudmouth who automatically accuses Spider-Man of any crime, even when the evidence clearly contradicts him. He is implied to have some physic ability in one episode where the Green Goblin tries using him as a medium for a demon-summoning. He is constantly against Spider Man, for example in ‘Farewell Performance’ he wants an old theatre to be torn down, but when Spider Man claims he agrees with old buildings being torn down, Jameson says the Daily Bugle will now try to preserve old buildings, which is what Spider Man wanted. He makes a feature for magic in his paper when he is sent free tickets by Blackwell the Magician, showing his meanness. In the Sting of the Scorpion he makes out that he saved the employees, despite cowering most of the time. In the second season, Jameson’s attitude toward Spider Man warms a bit, even going as far as helping Spider-Man defeat the Kingpin and expose a phony medicine racket during their first meeting. Not openly hostile, Jameson seems to be more surprised that Spider Man actually exists. Earlier in the episode, Jameson gives Peter a job at the Bugle, sight unseen, when he remembers that Peter is the nephew of a murder victim. In the third season he goes back to blaming Spider-Man for crimes.
• J. Jonah Jameson appeared in the 1981 Spider-Man series and Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, voiced by William Woodson.

• Subsequent depictions have portrayed the character as more reasonable in his beliefs of costumed superheroes, particularly in the 1990s Spider-Man animated series, in which he was voiced by Edward Asner (whose casting may have been inspired by Asner’s well-known role as another fictional news editor, Lou Grant). In this series, Jameson’s hatred of Spider-Man is based less on his powers and more to his wearing a mask; in this continuity, his wife was killed by a masked gunman. The series also portrays his integrity as a journalist, refusing to cover up the truth even when it is in his best interests, and portrays his loyalty to those who work for him. Examples of the earlier include firing Eddie Brock when John Jameson confirms Spider-Man’s version of who stole a mineral John and a fellow astronaut brought from the moon and publishing an article on chemical weapons being developed by OsCorp despite being one of its shareholders and board members on this series. He secretly hired attorney Matt Murdock to defend Peter Parker when Peter was framed by Richard Fisk and personally uncovered evidence exonerating Robbie when he was framed by Tombstone. Jameson’s cigar-smoking trademark characteristic is not depicted in the more recent animated TV incarnations, due to the levels on censorship required on the cartoons.
• Jameson appears in MTV’s 2003 Spider-Man series, voiced by Keith Carradine. Here, Jameson is portrayed as extremely cheap, his hatred of Spider-Man only being evident in the show’s series finale.

• 

  J. Jonah Jameson appears in The Spectacular Spider-Man, voiced by Daran Norris. He tends to be boisterous and difficult to get along with, though Betty Brant seems unfazed by his bloviating. He turns down Peter Parker’s request for a job, but steals his idea to take pictures of Spider Man. Here, Jameson sports a soul patch along with his trademark mustache. Although he considers Spider-Man a menace (if at least a photo-worthy one), he seems to be fond of Peter Parker. He suggests tomato juice to the boy to kill the stench of garbage on him after a photo shoot in a junkyard, and protects him from Rhino by bravely covering for him while he can escape. When he learns that Aunt May had a heart attack during the Sinister Six’s attack on Broadway, he says he will tell Peter the news. This incarnation of Jameson displays a level of hyperactivity not seen in any of his previous incarnations, as well as an obsession with time, punctuality, and deadlines, likely inspired by J.K. Simmons’ popular film portrayal of the character. Aside from that, he is very sadistic towards Spider-Man. His hatred of Spider-Man begins in the episode “The Uncertainty Principle” when the Bugle story of Jonah’s son John Jameson safely landing the space shuttle despite a broken heat shield is outsold by the Daily Globe story of the fight between Spider-Man and Green Goblin. He blames Spider-Man for the sudden profusion of costumed psychopaths like Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, and the Rhino in New York City (though this assumption is actually proven correct in the episode “The Invisible Hand”, when Tombstone reveals that at least some of the super-villains were specifically created to occupy Spider Man so that more ordinary criminals can continue their activities unhindered). At one point he calls for the headline “Spider-Man: Threat or Menace?” In season 2 his hatred of Spider-Man gets worse. After his son John Jameson is affected by spores that hitched a ride in the symbiote making him grow and having super strength and leaping tall bounds, Jonah convinces his son to be a superhero and take Spider-Man down. The spores then take over John’s mind making him violent and aggressive. After Spider-Man gets rid of the spores with electricity, Jonah then witnesses his son craving the spores powers and he blames Spider-Man for destroying his son. When Venom reveals Peter Parker’s identity to Spider-Man, Jonah hardly believes it although he still wants to make sure. At Valentines Day his wife, Joan, makes him go to an opera even though he doesn’t want to. There (after making an excuse to his wife to leave the stage) he witnesses the battle of the crime lords, Tombstone, Doctor Octopus, and Silvermane (ironically, Jameson was just making an excuse to leave the opera). After Spider-Man stops them and reveals Tombstone as the Big Man of Crime, Jameson accuses Spider-Man of assaulting an outstanding citizen but Frederick Foswell dismisses this to him by whispering in his ear. Jameson angrily responds by saying “Never mind.” After Norman Osborn tests the Vault security by putting Spider-Man in there, Jameson gloats about it. After Spider-Man manages to escape the Vault, Jameson claims Spider-Man and all the villains are working together so they can raise his blood pressure.

• Jameson appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man TV series, with J.K. Simmons reprising his role from the live-action films. In a modern reimagining of his role, this version of the character owns Daily Bugle Communications, a Fox News-style media company.
• Jameson appears in Marvel’s Spider-Man, voiced by Bob Joles.

Parodies

In The Simpsons episode ” Moe’N’a Lisa”, which aired on November 19, 2006, J.K. Simmons guest stars, playing a publisher resembling Jameson as played by Simmons himself in the Spider-Man movies. This resemblance is made more apparent when he demands pictures, stories, and even poems about Spider-Man. He even repeats a line from Spider-Man 3: “What are you waiting for? Chinese New Year?” This is due in part to guest star Michael Chabon’s script work on Spider-Man 2.The character also reappeared, with a different appearance, in an episode ” Homerazzi” later that season. He had also said “I want pictures of Spider-Man”, only to be corrected by an employee that he’s in the poetry industry. He then demands poems about Spider-Man.

In the Spider-Man 2 parody on VH1’s ILL-Ustrated, Jameson is portrayed as a Dr. Dre lookalike.

A parody of J. Jonah Jameson mostly based on J.K. Simmons’ performance appears in Superhero Movie.

Live-action

The character’s first live-action appearances were in 1970s television, performed by David White in the television movie and Robert F. Simon in the subsequent television series. In both these incarnations, Jameson’s abrasive, flamboyant personality was toned down and the character was portrayed as a more avuncular figure.

Films

In the Spider-Man movies directed by Sam Raimi, Jameson is portrayed by J. K. Simmons, and serves as a major source of comic relief. Portrayed as a blustering, bombastic man, the movie version of Jameson retains his dislike for Spider-Man, and takes delight in anything that might discredit or defame him. This portrayal has been extremely well-received by fans of the original comics. Stan Lee has said that, assuming the film was made earlier than 2002, he would have liked to have portrayed Jameson in a live-action Spider-Man film, but he has warmly praised Simmons’ rendition. In the film, he has a Pencil moustache, unlike in the comics, where he has a toothbrush moustache.

Spider-Man (film)

In the first Spider-Man movie, Jameson describes him as a menace and a vigilante, and points out, “He wears a mask. What’s he got to hide?” Indeed, the only reason he develops an interest in publishing news on the hero is because it sells papers, and upon hearing that no one has been able to get a clear shot of him, he declares, “If he doesn’t want to be famous, I’ll make him infamous!” He also retains much of his cynical, avuncular attitude and brusque manner with his staff, though he willingly protects Peter when the Green Goblin demands to known who he is. When Peter Parker accuses him of slandering Spider-Man, Jameson says, “I resent that! Slander is spoken. In print, it’s libel.” He holds the dubious honor of providing the nicknames (wanting his staff to immediately copyright the name) for the central villains in both of the first two films: the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus. In each film his office is rearranged and relocated; only the first movie offers an explicit reason for this, as in that film it is partially destroyed by the Green Goblin. A greedy man who demands much of his employees, Jameson is reminiscent of a fast-talking 1940’s film character in many ways

Spider-Man 2

Throughout the second film, Jameson is shown to know that Spider-Man is a hero, but is too proud to admit it. He even goes so far as to admit it in Spider-Man 2 when crime and danger skyrocket and his son’s fiancée, Mary Jane Watson, is kidnapped after Spider-Man temporarily disappears; true to form, however, he recants almost immediately and becomes infuriated with the web-slinger once again when Spider-Man steals back his costume from the Bugle to confront the rampaging Doctor Octopus.

The DVD-only Spider-Man 2.1 extended cut of the film contains a short scene in which Jameson dons the Spider-Man suit and romps around on his desk, while Robbie Robertson, Betty Brant, and Hoffman watch in a mix of surprise and confusion. The filmmakers cut the scene from the theatrical release because Simmons didn’t fit their original image of a paunchy middle-aged man; instead, he fills out the costume fairly well.

Mrs. Jameson is alive and well in the movies, being mentioned in the first and third movies and seen in the second. References to her are usually relayed as a foil to Jameson’s miserly ways; when informed by his secretary his wife had lost his checkbook, he replies “Thanks for the good news.” At the wedding of his son John Jameson and Mary Jane Watson in the second film, once it becomes clear that the bride had left the groom at the altar, the first thing Jameson does is tell his wife to call the wedding caterer and “tell her not to open the caviar”.

Spider-Man 3

In Spider-Man 3, Jameson sets Eddie Brock Jr. and Peter Parker up as rivals to earn a staff job, instructing them to obtain unflattering pictures of Spider-Man. He is shown to supposedly have many medical conditions, being warned by Miss Brant (who was informed by Jameson’s wife) whenever he is too tense or when he needs to take his pills. Specifically, it is revealed that he has high blood pressure, and Miss Brant must always remind him to watch his temper. Later, Jameson fires Brock when Brock creates and sells to Jameson fake pictures of Spider-Man robbing a bank, in spite of his dislike of the hero, as Brock’s photo destroyed his paper’s reputation, which has not printed a retraction in 20 years. He is surprised by Parker’s new confident and aggressive demeanor, provoked by the black suit, especially when he finds him and Miss Brant flirting on his desk, exclaiming “Miss Brant, that’s not the position I hired you for”. At the climactic battle between Spider-Man, New Goblin, Sandman, and Venom, Jameson, unable to locate Parker, bargains with a little girl in the crowd to obtain her camera to shoot the battle himself. She refuses to sell for less than a hundred dollars. After the stingy Jameson reluctantly pays, he discovers that there is no film in the camera, to which she explains, “The film’s extra,” much to his fury.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

J.K. Simmons reprises his role in Spider-Man: Far From Home, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (and not in the same continuity as the original trilogy). He appears in the film’s mid-credits scene, where he publicly exposes Spider-Man’s identity as Peter Parker to the world, setting the stage for the next movie. Simmons also portrayed Jameson in a series of internet videos from the fictional news website TheDailyBugle.net, which were used to promote the movie’s home release.

Video games

Jameson has appeared in many of the Spider-Man video games, usually as a supporting character.

• The gruff editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle appeared in the 2000 Spider-Man video game voiced by Dee Bradley Baker. He appeared when the Scorpion tried to kill him because Jameson put Mac Gargan, the Scorpion, in the armor suit in which he is now stuck. Spider-Man eventually saves Jameson and defeats Scorpion in battle. However, Jameson doesn’t thank Spider-Man because, at the beginning of the game, Spider-Man is seen stealing the seemingly reformed Dr. Otto Octavius’ machine (Jameson doesn’t know that Spider-Man was framed). He even tells two S.W.A.T. cops to shoot down and kill Spider-Man. Luckily, the hero escapes by jumping out of a window saying, “J.J., you’re out of my will! I mean it this time!“
• Jameson also appeared in three games based on the films, with his character being based on the film version. In the first game, he is only briefly referenced, although he does appear in the Xbox version, telling Peter to get photos at the zoo of a flaming spider (resulting in a confrontation with Kraven the Hunter). In the second game, he initially supports Quentin Beck’s claims that Spider-Man is a fraud, but accuses the two of being in cahoots when it is revealed that Beck is Mysterio. Jameson is voiced by Jay Gordon (first & second Games) & by J.K. Simmons (2 “PSP version” & 3 games).
• Though never actually appearing, J. Jonah Jameson is mentioned in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance on a VS simulation disc where the heroes fight Scorpion. In Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Commander Maria Hill mentions in a special conversation to Spider-Man if the player chooses anti-registration and Spider-Man is controlled, she says that “he’s just made J. Jonah Jameson a very happy man”.
• In Spider-Man 3, Jameson is an employer of Peter Parker as in the films and comics, giving him various missions to complete, including photographing giant lizards. He is captured by a side villain Luke Carlyle, and thrown out of a helicopter in mid air with an electric necklace on. Spider-Man then catches Jameson, and has to keep up with the helicopter to stop Jameson getting electrocuted. After Carlyle has been defeated, Jameson attempts to thank Spider-Man, but can’t quite bring himself to say it. Spider-Man, after Jameson’s stuttered attempts, simply says “You’re welcome”, before swinging away. Later in the game, Jameson hires both Peter Parker and Eddie Brock, Junior, to take photographs of Spider-Man in his new black suit, doing criminal activities. Peter Parker wins this, after revealing Brock’s was a fraud.
• Though not appearing in, Marvel Super Heroes and most subsequent Capcom 2-D fighting games featuring Spider-Man, Jameson is mentioned. In his victory pose after winning a round, Spider-Man casts a web up to the “ceiling” to the bottom of which he attaches a camera. He then stands over his fallen opponent and makes a “thumbs-up” gesture as the camera flashes and says “One for J.J.” Jameson does make an appearance in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter alongside Joseph “Robbie” Robertson if Spider-Man is one of the fighters in the “Night-Cooking” game show stage. In Marvel vs. Capcom, in addition to the victory pose, Spider-Man poses for a picture with his partner after winning the game, stating “I know Jameson will use this picture to make me look like a bad guy.” There are also various winning quotes where he mentions “J.J.J.” In Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, Spider-Man has an updated version of the aforementioned victory pose, in which he says “That’s why J.J. pays me the big bucks!“
• During the second time in the city in the Sega game The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin, Jameson follows the player around bad-mouthing him.
• Jameson also appears in the Spider-Man pinball machine by Stern Pinball. Simmons also recorded additional lines of custom speech appropriate for a pinball game, such as “Extra ball”, “Jackpot”, and “Hey, kid, you just won a free game.”
• J. Jonah Jameson appears in the PlayStation 2 and PSP version of Spider-Man: Web of Shadows voiced by Daran Norris. He has been captured by Spencer Smythe and A.I.M. so that Spencer can clone him and use that clone to discredit J. Jonah Jameson and Spider-Man. This was thwarted by Spider-Man though.
• While Jameson does not actually appear, in the PC version of the video game based on 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, buses with advertising for the Daily Bugle on the sides, appear as vehicles for the Hulk to smash and throw.
• The Daily Bugle is a playable stage in Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, and Jameson appears in the background in a helicopter where he shouts at the fighters.
• J. Jonah Jameson appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, voiced by John DiMaggio.
• J. Jonah Jameson appears in Disney Infinity 2.0, voiced by Kyle Herbert.
• J. Jonah Jameson appears in Spider-Man: Edge of Time, voiced by Fred Tatasciore.
• J. Jonah Jameson appears in the video game adaptation of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, voiced by Fred Tatasciore.
• J. Jonah Jameson appears in Spider-Man Unlimited, again voiced by Kyle Herbert. A superpowered version of Jameson based on his Spider-Island appearance was later added as a playable character.
• J. Jonah Jameson appears in Marvel Avengers Academy.
• J. Jonah Jameson appears in Marvel Heroes, voiced again by Kyle Herbert.
• J. Jonah Hameson appears by voice only in Spider-Man for the Playstation 4. Spider-Man’s police radio occasionally picks up segments of his talk radio show. He is voiced by Darin De Paul.
• Darin De Paul reprises his role in the 2020 sequel, Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Merchandise

• J. Jonah Jameson was featured in ToyBiz’s action figure line for the 1990s Spider-Man animated series. The same line also contained a Chameleon figure with an alternate Jameson head.
• A J. Jonah Jameson display base was released as an accessory with ToyBiz’s Magnetic Spider-Man toy from the Spider-Man Classics line.
• J. Jonah Jameson was featured in ToyBiz’s line for the first Spider-Man movie.
• J. Jonah Jameson was featured in the HeroClix figure game.
• J. Jonah Jameson was featured in ToyBiz’s Minimates line.
• Companies like Eaglemoss and Diamond Select have produced statues, busts and figurines of Jameson.
• J. Jonah Jameson was featured in the “Spider-Man’s Train Rescue” Lego kit for Spider-Man 2, and the “Daily Bugle Showdown” kit from the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon.
• J. Jonah Jameson was featured in Hasbro’s Mini Muggs line (a spin-off of Mighty Muggs) as a New York Comic-Con exclusive.
• Hasbro produced a Marvel Legends figure of the Chameleon for the Rhino Build-a-Figure wave, which included an interchangeable J. Jonah Jameson head.
• J. Jonah Jameson was featured in Hasbro’s Marvel Legends line as part of the Vintage Spider-Man series.