Issue 35 – J. Jonah Jameson

SHOW NOTES:

• Introduction/Welcome back

  • Shoutout to The Story Behind – (04:35)

• Background (05:55)

  • Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (March 1963)

  • John Jonah Jameson, Jr. was the son of John Jonah Jameson, Sr., but was raised by his uncle David – young JJ thought David was his father, but later the real relationship was revealed

  • David was a veteran, and was incredibly abusive to the boy – also was responsible for getting him addicted to cigars as a child

  • Served in WWII as a war correspondent – returned home to his wife Joan, they had a son, John Jonah III – Joan died in a mugging accident, and Jameson worked at the Daily Bugle to mask his pain – later came to run and own the paper

  • When Spider-Man appears on the scene, Jameson uses the paper to discredit the “wall-crawling menace”

  • In some versions, his hatred of Spider-Man stems from Spidey knocking his astronaut son John off the front page

  • Later hires Peter Parker as a freelance photographer due to his pictures of Spider-Man in action, not knowing they’re one & the same

  • Often offers rewards for Spider-Man’s unmasking or capture, and occasionally teams up with villains to go after Spidey

  • Suffered his first heart attack after being threatened by an angry Spidey

  • Responsible for hiring Mac Gargan, genetically enhancing him, and giving him a suit of armor to work as the Scorpion, all to attack Spider-Man

  • Later marries Dr. Marla Madison, a scientist who created a series of Spider Slayer robots

  • Marla’s niece Mattie Franklin operates as Spider-Woman, though once again Jonah is unaware

  • Blackmailed by Hobgoblin about creating the Scorpion, Jameson gives up control of the Bugle, and it’s later bought from him by a millionaire, who uses the paper to promote Spider-Man

  • During Civil War, when Spidey unmasks, Jameson doesn’t take it well – feels betrayed by Peter Parker, who he considered an honest young man

  • Has another heart attack after arguing with Parker over payment of photos, and yet again during Take Your Child to Work day at the Bugle

  • Becomes mayor of NYC, and uses city resources to go after Spider-Man

  • Marla dies when Alistair Smythe attacks him and she jumps in front of him to protect him – he blames himself and tries to have Smythe killed, but Spider-Man protects Smythe, enraging JJ

  • Works with Superior Spider-Man to patrol NYC with Spider-Slayers, who turn on the citizens – Jameson resigns as mayor over this

  • Starts working for a news channel, but gets fired after unknowingly helping to spread a virus

  • Gets exclusive interview for his blog with Spider-Man where he reveals his identity to Jameson, who says he’ll support Spider-Man more in the future

• Issues (17:51)

  • His vendetta against Spider-Man is all he has – his anger has isolated him from people, and his wife, niece, and father are all dead

  • Has son on pedestal (24:40)

  • Journalistic integrity varies (31:50)

• Treatment (39:07)

  • In-universe

  • Out of universe (43:15)

• Skit (54:09)

• Ending

References:

• Curb Stomp Battle – Anthony – 11:09
• DJ Khaled – You played yourself – Anthony – 24:29
• Ice-T – “You Played Yourself” – Anthony – 24:34
• Shaggy dog story – Doc – 30:34
• Better Nate than lever! – Anthony – 30:50
• Eddie Brock episode – Anthony – 32:02
• TMZ – Michael Jackson’s death – Anthony – 36:40
• Jay-Z – “Can’t Knock the Hustle” – Anthony – 38:23

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