InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "you sank my battleship!"

Matt (angelophile) wrote in scans_daily,
@ 2009-05-27 22:18:00

J. Jonah Jameson - He's like an onion

One of the things that aggravates me about Spider-man's "new direction" is that in addition to attempting to take Peter's character back several years (and thus making him a loser, basement dwelling man-child) they've also been rewinding the clock on several members of his supporting cast.

Take, for example, J. Jonah Jameson, who's been returned to his Spidey-hating roots and now that seems to be the entirety of his character again. A damn shape after several years where Triple-J was shown, not to be just a great newspaperman but sometimes, a great man as well. Okay, still a cigar chomping a-hole, but not exclusively so. Take, for example, his cameos in Uncanny X-men #337-#346, where he proves himself to be the kind of guy I could buy the people of New York voting for.

First let's check in with political candidate and mutant-hater Graydon Creed (the love-child of Mystique and Sabretooth. Literally. With parents like that it's small wonder he has grudge against mutants.)

Next issue J.J.'s not quite so glowing.

That's an undercover Iceman there, by the way. Before he was outed and Creed had his father almost beaten to death. Presidential material right there. Anyway, Peter Parker gives the X-men the heads up that J.J.'s investigating Creed, assuming that he's gunning for mutants this time so they follow him. Inconspicuously of course.

Meanwhile, the reporter J.J. put on the case discovers Creed's true parentage. Unfortunately for him, that's a secret that Prime Sentinel Bastion doesn't want coming out, since Creed serves his purposes. So he kills the story.

Which leads to this confrontation:

Now that is a J. Jonah Jameson I can get behind.

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

rabican
2009-05-28 09:24 am UTC (link)

One of my favourite moments with the 'good' JJJ was in the 90s animated show, when it was revealed that he was the secret financier of Peter Parker's defence attorney (when the Kingpin framed him for treason).

He did that in the comics, too, except it was during the Clone Saga when Peter was framed for murder (well, not so much framed as that it was Kaine who did it and it's kind of hard to explain evil clones when no one knows you're a superhero).

I mean, that's proof of JJJ's moral fiber and affection for Peter, right there -- Jonah, the most miserly, least modest man in New York, hemorhagged money on Peter's legal fees and never said a word to him about it or held him accountable in any way. Well, okay, he made him go shopping for a crystal unicorn figurine for Marla on Christmas Eve once, but that's just standard Jonahdickery.

That's why it annoyed me so much in the past couple of issues when Aunt May kept going on about how badly Jonah has treated Peter and how Peter doesn't like Jonah. They like each other! They'd never admit it, and any expression of liking on Peter's part is usually stated as, "Aw, I hope the ol' blowhard doesn't get killed [in Jonah's latest round of stupidity]," but they do. Jonah's expressed sideways caring towards Peter and Mary Jane more than once, and Aunt May should know that.

BND has made me dislike Aunt May - it's really weird.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

kirayoshi1
2009-05-29 10:55 am UTC (link)

JJJ also proved his fondness for Peter by paying all expenses for Peter and MJ's wedding reception(damn you, Quesada, it DID happen!). I remember his line at the time; "Eat, drink and be merry, people! The Daily Bugle is proud to be footing the bill for Peter and MJ's reception. Why, I'd want you all to have a good time even if this shindig wasn't covered by the new tax laws!" I loved how he displayed his generosity but at the same time played the skinflint curmudgeon.

Quesadaa claimed recently that, apart from the marriage, there was 'one other change' that resulted from OMD. My theory; JJJ has been replaced by a Skrull.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -