Betty Brant
From Free net encyclopedia
Betty Brant is a character in the Spider-Man comic book series. She appeared early in Spider-Man mythology, in the fourth issue of Amazing Spider-Man as the personal secretary for J. Jonah Jameson, Peter Parker's boss, a job previously held by her mother. She became a love interest for Peter Parker. Their relationship eventually ended, and she married Ned Leeds, a Daily Bugle reporter.
However the marriage proved turbulent as Ned was often posted overseas. When he was stationed in Paris she found the life impossible and left Ned to return to New York. She turned to Peter Parker once more and the two had a brief affair. However Ned followed her home and she was caught between the two men. Peter regretted getting involved with Betty again and allowed the affair to break abruptly, driving her back into the arms of Ned.
Later on in the series, it became clear that Ned Leeds was in fact the villain Hobgoblin, although this fact was later retconned into Ned's having been a pawn of the real Hobgoblin. As Leeds became more hostile, Betty drifted into the arms of old friend Flash Thompson. A jealous Leeds framed Thompson as the Hobgoblin, but when the two battled, the Hobgoblin's mask slipped, and Betty discovered that Ned and the Hobgoblin were one and the same. This revelation, coupled with Ned's murder by the Foreigner, sent Brant over the edge into insanity.
Betty joined the Students of Love cult, led by the Teacher, before being saved by Flash and Spider-Man. Flash and Betty drifted apart as Betty recovered. She rejoined the staff of the Daily Bugle as an investigative reporter whose newfound courageous assertiveness and investigative skill impressed her colleages. She finally cleared Ned's name when she revealed that Roderick Kingsley was the real Hobgoblin. She remains a recurring character in the Spider-Man comics.
Other media
The character has appeared in the Spider-Man 1960s animated series, voiced by June Foray, where she was a prominent supporting character much in manner of Lois Lane. As Betty Brant receded into the background in the comics in favor of other love interests, particularly Mary Jane Watson, she appears as a much more minor character such as in the feature film series as played by Elizabeth Banks.