Spider-Man Comics Confirmed Heartwarming J. Jonah Jameson Movie Theory
A Spider-Man comic has supposedly confirmed a popular fan theory concerning J. Jonah Jameson and the real reason why he hired Peter Parker as his photographer for the Daily Bugle. Memorably played by J.K. Simmons, J. Jonah Jameson was a standout character in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy who quickly became a fan favorite due to his rapid-fire delivery, no-nonsense demeanor, and steadfastly clinging to a 1930s newspaper editor attitude even at the dawn of the new millennium. But in Peter Parker: Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #1, written by Chip Zdarsky with art by Michael Allred and colors by Laura Allred, the newspaper editor reveals he's not as heartless and stubborn as he may appear.
J. Jonah Jameson has made a pretty penny through sensationalist journalism. Under his direction, the Daily Bugle constantly prints negative articles concerning Spider-Man and his exploits. Over the years, Jameson's hatred of Spider-Man was so all-encompassing that he even used robotic Spider-Slayers in an attempt to capture Spider-Man and force him to reveal his identity. Meanwhile, he would constantly belittle Peter Parker for subpar quality pictures of Spider-Man, and this detail from the comics persisted into the Sam Raimi films.
In a flashback at the end of Peter Parker: Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #1, Jameson sends a young Peter Parker out of his office after an interview for a photography job at the Daily Bugle. As soon as he leaves the room, Robbie Robertson questions Jameson's choice in new employees and asks if he at least contacted his parents regarding the job. Jameson responds that he did - he's not an idiot - and if his pictures are mediocre, he won't purchase any. "The kid just...the kid just needs some help" says Jameson as he looks at an old headline - that chronicles the murder of Uncle Ben.
This puts Jameson's hiring of Peter in a whole new light, showing that he does have a heart and will go out of his way to help others. This is seen in Raimi's first film when the Green Goblin ambushes Jameson in his office, demanding to know the name of Spider-Man's photographer. Without even hesitating, he responds "I don't know who he is! His stuff comes in the mail!" The fan theory that Jameson has integrity is only reinforced by the comic.
It should be noted that in the Spectacular Spider-Man continuity at the time, J. Jonah Jameson knew Peter was Spider-Man (Peter had unmasked before Jonah during an interview) and instead of printing slanderous stories about Spider-Man, Jameson changed his tone and actually supported Peter. This flashback obviously happened before that reveal, but it still shows Jameson in a positive light. No matter how much Jameson professes to hate Spider-Man, he genuinely wants to help Peter Parker.