After Spider-Man and J. Jonah Jameson worked together for months, the former Daily Bugle publisher has reignited one of Marvel’s most famous feuds.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Amazing Spider-Man #66 by Nick Spencer, Mark Bagley, John Dell, Brian Reber & VC’s Joe Caramagna, on sale now.
J. Jonah Jameson and Spider-Man have been closer than ever lately. Ever since Jameson learned Peter Parker was Spider-Man, he has done everything he can to change the public perception he spent years building about Spider-Man as a menace. However, the former publisher of the Daily Bugle might regret that now.
In Amazing Spider-Man #66, Spider-Man went to get the final Lifeline Tablet piece to help Boomerang, and he decided it was time to stop selling out, even if it helped him in the public eye. After wearing a costume with a live-streaming set-up provided to him by Threats & Menaces, Spider-Man has abandoned that costume, along with the live-streaming and the extra money it provided him, much to the chagrin of Jameson.
From Jameson’s perspective, Spider-Man shut down the camera and costume at the worst time. Jameson had a live audience watching this battle, and JJJ knew this was Threats‘ big moment. With Spider-Man risking his life to save Boomerang live on the Internet, he could do a lot to heal his reputation once and for all. However, this was when Spider-Man had a conflict of faith. Thinking that he had cashed in on his role as Spider-Man for too long, Peter turned off the camera and ruined Jameson’s moment.
For years, J. Jonah Jameson hated Spider-Man. The two clashed so many times that Jameson blindly accused Spider-Man of anything and everything, risking his own journalistic integrity. He tried to destroy Spider-Man and almost destroyed himself through his own animosity and hatred. When Jameson helped create villains like the Spider-Slayers, he stepped over the line and practically became a villain himself. Now Jameson had his chance for redemption, and Spider-Man took it away from him, earning himself the scorn of Jameson anew and leading him to say that he was going to get a new hero.
While Spider-Man and Jameson have been rivals for decades, the rapid dissolution of their friendship is something of an ultimate betrayal. In 2018’s Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #6 by Chip Zdarsky, Michael Walsh, Ian Herring and Travis Lanham, Spider-Man and Jameson had a heart-to-heart confrontation that had been years in the making. Spider-Man agreed to sit down for dinner and an interview with Jameson. Jameson revealed his hatred for Spider-Man was all he had following the death of his wife Marla. Peter Parker took off his mask and disclosed his identity. Jameson always looked at Peter as a son and this changed everything. Jameson reversed his tactics and became Spider-Man’s biggest supporter.
J. Jonah Jameson asked how Spider-Man could cut the feed, and Norah Winters told him he could legally do so. She said she wanted a more iron-clad contract, but Jameson recommended a “sweetheart deal” that Spider-Man could back out of any time he wanted. Jameson never expected he would, because he claimed he was doing it all for him. And with all of this, Jameson’s old attitude returned. He declared if Spider-Man wants to play that way, he would find a hero of his own. Spider-Man quit to follow his conscience, but Jameson saw it as a betrayal and plans to strike back, reigniting the one-sided feud between the former enemies.
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