100 greatest comic book characters of all-time
By Mark Lynch
Greatest comic book characters – 32. John Stewart
First comic book appearance: Green Lantern No. 87
John Stewart was a warrior and role model long before he was given a Green Lantern ring. He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps and an architect. Two jobs that aren’t built for just anyone. They both help him as a member of the Green Lanterns, a position where Stewart has overachieved.
Not everyone can be a leader of the Green Lanterns. It isn’t just being a leader that’s to be admired. He has the respect of all their members. An admirable thing especially since he’s a human. Stewart gained their regard by being the person he presents himself to be. A man of honor who’s always the first one into battle regardless of the circumstances.
Greatest comic book characters – 31. J. Jonah Jameson
First comic book appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man No. 1
J. Jonah Jameson has been Spider-Man’s biggest critic. He’s harder on Spider-Man than he is on himself. Even after knowing who he was (pre-Spider-Man: One More Day), it made him hate him more. That’s in public. Secretly, Jonah was just disappointed that Peter never told him.
Jonah has been a great antagonist to Spider-Man from the beginning. Without Jonah, Spider-Man isn’t as popular. He’s hurt him in ways that his villains couldn’t. He’s made the world think he was a thief and a murderer. The worst hurt was knowing his Aunt May believed what the Daily Bugle was printing. All of that helped us realize that Spider-Man would always rise above the criticism and be better.
Behind that gruff exterior is a good man. He loves his family and friends. Brave enough to stick to his guns at the sign of trouble. And Jonah is hilarious as well. His comments on everything and everyone are almost always funny.