Writers have gone back and forth on this for decades. Even Stan Lee couldn't decide if Jolly Jonah was a harmless blowhard whose main role was to be the butt of the joke or a behind-the-scenes menace who threatened Spider-Man's liberty.

To me, the best insight into J. Jonah Jameson came from Marv Wolfman in Amazing Spider-Man #192. Spider-Man had just saved Jonah and himself from a death trap set by Spencer Smythe, the scientist who built the Spider-Slayers on Jonah's behalf.

Jonah was his usual blustering, ungrateful self and Spider-Man told him off. After Spider-Man leaves, Jonah breaks down and says to himself, "You kept on fighting...you risked everything to save us. And I fell apart....You now know I'm not half the man you are. And for that reason, I have to drag you down into the gutter."

I'd PREFER he were a harmless jackass, but in truth he has early and often crossed over into rotten bastard.  I can handle both in the hands of a Roger Stern, but it's a fine line to keep crossing.

Friday 12/5 toss-up: Harley Quinn - interesting addition to The Joker, or coattail-riding annoyance?