Edwin Jarvis is a fictional supporting character in the Marvel Comics title, The Avengers.

Jarvis is a butler who began his career serving Howard Stark and Maria Stark and watched their mansion even after their death. Beforehand, he had been the undefeated boxing champion in the RAF for two years running.

The Starks' son, Tony, called the first meeting of the Avengers as the Iron Man and donated the house as headquarters, so that it became Avengers Mansion. Jarvis grew accustomed to the guests and served the Avengers for many years on, acting as a father figure to some newcomers. During the fourth Masters of Evil attack, Jarvis was savagely beaten and almost lost an eye to the marauders. This soured him towards the group even after some of them reformed to form the Thunderbolts. He is the only one to stay with the Avengers for their entire existence, a distinction not even Captain America can claim, and, as a result, Cap has stated that Jarvis should be regarded as just as much of an Avenger as he is.

Jarvis is the most famous comic book butler other than Alfred Pennyworth, butler to Batman. Jarvis's name may actually be a nod to Alfred: Alfred originally introduced himself in Batman #16 (May–June 1943), two decades before Edwin Jarvis's first appearance, as the "son of Jarvis".

Template:Spoiler After Tony Stark reformed the Avengers and Spider-Man moved his family into Stark Tower, Jarvis and Aunt May began to develop a romantic relationship.

Ultimate Marvel

In the Ultimate Marvel continuity, Jarvis was gay and was much more sarcastic and acerbic towards his employer, Tony Stark. He was shot and killed by the Black Widow when she revealed herself to Stark as the traitor within the Ultimates team.

MC2

Jarvis, now with visibly gray hair, continues to serve as the butler to the Avengers Next in the MC2 universe.

Marvel Zombies

In the Marvel Zombies mini-series in which all of the world's superheroes (and many of the villains) are transformed by a sentient alien virus into flesh-eating zombies, it is revealed that Jarvis was torn apart and shared-out amongst the Avengers. He appears to have been so mortified by the spectacle of his beloved Avengers as hungry corpses that he barely put up a fight.

Appearances in other media

Television

• Jarvis appeared in the animated Avengers series, voiced by Graham Harley.

Films

• Jarvis also made a quick appearance as Tony Stark's butler in Ultimate Avengers and has a little larger role in the movie's sequel.

Video games

Jarvis will appear in the upcoming Marvel: Ultimate Alliance as a non-playable character.