It's Jeff!

Jeff the Land Shark (also known as Jeffrey) is a fictional character who appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Kelly Thompson and artist Daniele di Nicuolo, the character first appeared in ''West Coast Avengers'' (vol. 3) #6 (October 2018), but was not named and formally introduced until issue #7 (January 2019). Jeff is the pet landshark (legged shark) of the superheroes Gwen Poole and Kate Bishop, and has also been cared for by Wade Wilson and Elsa Bloodstone.

He has subsequently appeared in a variety of additional media. He headlines in the digital ''Marvel's Infinity Comics'' series ''It's Jeff!'' written by Thompson and drawn by Gurihiru, which was first published in September 2021. This vertical scrolling format comic returned for a second season in September 2022, a third season in October 2023, and a fourth season in November 2024. At the Eisner Awards, ''It's Jeff!'' was nominated in 2022 for Best Digital Comic and won in 2024 for Best Humor Publication. In December 2024, Jeff debuted as a playable character in the video game ''Marvel Rivals''. Jeff will next headline in the print limited series ''Jeff The Land Shark'' (vol. 1), written by Thompson and illustrated by Tokitokoro, which is scheduled for release in June 2025.

Publication history

Comic books

Landsharks first appeared in ''West Coast Avengers'' (vol. 3) #1 (October 2018), created by writer Kelly Thompson and artist Stefano Caselli. The issue saw a herd of landsharks running through Santa Monica. One of the landsharks drawn by Caselli caught Thompson's eye, so she created a character, drawing on the shark imagery and her own pet cats. This character, Jeff, was first introduced in issue #7, drawn by Daniele di Nicuolo, being adopted by Gwen Poole and named "Jeff", as part of an ultimately abandoned running gag where Gwen would adopt (and lose) many infant animals and name them "Jeff", having previously adopted a kitten she'd called by that name. Following a universally positive internet reception, Jeff consequently appeared in the rest of the run of ''West Coast Avengers''. Thompson highlighted that Jeff's original design included side flippers, however, they were removed early on.

Jeff returned in '' Gwenpool Strikes Back'' (2019), by writer Leah Williams and artist David Baldeon, and ''Deadpool'' (volume 8: ''King Deadpool''), by writer Thompson and artists Chris Bachalo and Gerardo Sandoval, as a supporting character. He was also featured in the one-page story "Monsters" by writer Thompson and artist Pepe Larraz which was printed in Marvel's 80th Anniversary project ''Marvel'' #1000 (2019).

Thompson credits a con exhibition piece by '' The Unbelievable GwenPool'' artists Gurihiru as popularizing Jeff. Characters in the Marvel Universe started being depicted with Jeff-themed merchandise. Starting September 2021, Jeff then starred in his own series, titled ''It's Jeff!'', written by Thompson and drawn by Gurihiru. This comedy series has no dialogue. ''It's Jeff!'' premiered as part of the new ''Marvel's Infinity Comics'' program; these digital comics are in the vertical scrolling format and are only available to Marvel Unlimited subscribers. A second season of ''It's Jeff!'' returned in September 2022, running until January 2023. A third season of ''It's Jeff!'' launched in October 2023, running until March 2024. A fourth season launched, with issue #37, on November 29, 2024. ''It's Jeff!'' #1 was released in print in March 2023; this one-shot issue collects the short stories originally published in the digital ''Infinity Comics'' format. ''It's Jeff: The Jeff-Verse'' #1 was released in November 2023; this print issue collects issues #13-24 of the ''Infinity Comic''.

Jeff has also appeared in the ''Marvel Meow Infinity Comic'' (2022) and in the Marvel Unlimited crossover ''Infinity Paws'', written by Jason Loo and drawn by Nao Fuji, which released in spring 2024.

Jeff was " venomized" as part of Marvel's 2023 '' Summer of Symbiotes'' event in the short story "The Rhythm of the Night" written by Thompson and drawn by Gurihiru. This story was printed in ''Extreme Venomverse'' #5 (July 2023). As part of the 2024 ''Venom War'' event, Jeff was featured in the one-shot ''Venom War: It's Jeff'' #1 (November 2024) written by Thompson and illustrated by Gurihiru.

Jeff appears in ''Jeff Week Infinity Comic'' (2024), a five-issue limited series written and drawn by Gustavo Duarte. He also appeared in ''Marvel Rivals Infinity Comic'' (2024), a six-issue limited series by writer Paul Allor and artist Luca Claretti. Jeff and Kate Bishop will guest-star in the upcoming limited series ''Gwenpool'' (2025), by writer Cavan Scott and artist Stefano Nesi, which focuses on Gwen Poole and Peter Parker confronting the resurrected Gwen Stacy.

Jeff will headline in the upcoming five-issue limited series ''Jeff The Land Shark'' (vol. 1), written by Thompson and illustrated by Tokitokoro, with the first issue scheduled to be released in June 2025. Thompson stated, "I'm thrilled that the slow burn success of Jeff in comics and the wildfire success of Jeff in ''Marvel Rivals'' can work together to bring us the opportunity for not only more Jeff stories, but more complex Jeff stories".

Covers

Jeff, with Carol Danvers, was featured on the variant cover of ''Captain Marvel'' #39 with art by Gurihiru; this version was exclusive to Marvel Unlimited Annual Plus subscribers who attended San Diego Comic-Con in July 2022. Gurihiru then did two more variant covers, ''Captain Marvel'' #42 and ''Captain America: Symbol of Truth'' #6, which feature Jeff in October 2022. Nao Fuji (artist of ''Marvel Meow'') also did a variant cover, for ''Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings'' #4 (October 2022), featuring Jeff. The "venomized" version of Jeff was featured on two of the ''Extreme Venomverse'' #5 (July 2023) covers – the standard cover by Leinil Francis Yu and a variant cover by Peach Momoko.

Fictional character biography

The land sharks were created by MODOK Superior. When the West Coast Avengers led by Kate Bishop defeated the West Coast version of the Masters of Evil that MODOK Superior was a part of, MODOK Superior's former employee and nemesis Gwen Poole found and adopted a baby land-shark, naming it Jeff after a kitten of the same name Gwen had adopted earlier in the series but whom she had to give up. Gwen was also motivated to adopt him by previously having had a shark-theme herself, including a shark backpack, Blåhaj, shark phone case, and shark Venom form. Jeff became part of the West Coast Avengers. ''West Coast Avengers'' Vol. 3 #7. Marvel Comics.

Gwen, a real world being aware of the fictional comic book nature of the Marvel Universe after being transported there, becoming concerned so many titles featuring her to have been cancelled, in an attempt to secure a better future for Jeff, briefly entrusts him to Wade Wilson, only for his title to be promptly cancelled as well, and for Elsa Bloodstone to briefly look after Jeff.

''It's Jeff!'' (2021) depicts Jeff as once again living with Gwen Poole and Kate Bishop. In the series, "Jeff has been the darling of a superhero pool party; stolen Captain America's shield to sled with the Young Avengers; eaten the Infinity Gauntlet; and swiped a superhero gathering's Thanksgiving turkey". In the 2022 second season, Gwen returns and continues to care for Jeff along with Kate, after sitting out the first season.

During the "Venom War" storyline, Jeff was briefly bonded to a Symbiote. They found a way to work together and got food from the stands at Coney Island. When the Zombiotes attacked, Jeff assisted Kate, Gwen, America Chavez, and Fuse in fighting the Zombiotes. Once the Zombiotes were defeated, Jeff and the Symbiote separated from each other. Everyone then celebrated by having churros.

Powers and abilities

Jeff is a quadruped land-shark with a prodigious appetite. He possesses the normal attributes of an Earth shark. His main attack is biting. To blend in when going out, Jeff uses an assortment of animal costumes.

Reception

Critical response

Chris Arrant of ''Newsarama'' called Jeff the Land Shark a "fan-favorite," writing, "Jeff the Land Shark slowly became a low-key cult-favorite character for some comics fans." Samantha King of ''Screen Rant'' referred to as "Marvel's cutest character," stating, "The little shark has quickly become a fan-favorite in both the real world and Marvel's universe." Nicholas Howe of '' CBR'' ranked Jeff the Land Shark 1st in their "10 Cutest Marvel Heroes" list, saying, "Jeff has become one of the most beloved figures of the last few years," while Darby Harn ranked him 6th in their "10 Most Iconic Pets In Marvel Comics" list.

On Jeff's debut in ''West Coast Avengers'', Robbie Pleasant of ''Multiversity Comics'' commented that "it was clear from the get-go that Jeff was the next big thing in comics, an absolute superstar that would dominate the industry, or at least our hearts. Here at Multiversity, it quickly became a running gag in the pages of Saturday Morning Panels just how much we all love that little land shark". In April 2025, Jonathan Jones of ''AIPT'' commented that "the lovable land shark's star has remained on a steady rise ever since" his appearance in ''West Coast Avengers''. Jones opined that while some might think the release of a trade paperback collection featuring Jeff is a publishing "synergy strategy" following the character's appearance in the video game ''Marvel Rivals'' (2024), he believes it "is a testament to the little guy's enduring rise in popularity over the last four years" following the release of the Jeff focused Infinity Comic. He noted that Gurihiru's redesign of the character "has become the definitive baseline for Jeff's appearance moving forward" and "together, Thompson and Gurihiru have made Jeff the Land Shark into an iconic character worthy of showing up in your ''Rivals'' roster, as well as in Jeff's first printed ongoing comic".

Literary reception for ''It's Jeff!''

Graeme McMillan, for ''Polygon'' in 2021, commented that of the new ''Infinity Comics'', ''It's Jeff!'' "is pretty perfect from the start" and "an utter joy" unlike the rest of the line. Jim Dandeneau, for ''Den of Geek'', wrote that "if you have a young person in your life, 'It's Jeff!''will completely justify an annual Marvel Unlimited subscription". It was nominated for Best Digital Comic at the 2022 Eisner Awards.

Following the print release in 2023, Avery Kaplan, for '' The Beat'', called the collected issue a "must-read… or a must re-read". Kaplan commented that while in some places there is obvious evidence of the "vestigial scrolling structure," it doesn't detract from the issue and she appreciated that Marvel went with a longer issue format in order to print all 12 parts of the first season. Susana Polo of ''Polygon'' highlighted how the issue isn't more complicated than "Jeff gets into some shenanigans, finds a cute way out of them" – it has Gurihiru's "charming art" and Thompson's writing is "Sunday Funnies simple".

Hannah Rose of ''CBR'' asserted, "While it doesn't boast anything groundbreaking or deep, ''It's Jeff!'' #1 is a welcome respite of aesthetically pleasing fun, sweetness and mischief, putting a spotlight on a minor character whose appeal cannot be understated." Chase Magnett of ''ComicBook.com'' gave ''It's Jeff!'' #1 a grade of 4.5 out of 5, writing, "In addition to splendidly told strips, the full comics page provides plenty of space for background gags that are bound to absorb readers with nods to beloved characters. For those seeking the lighter side of Marvel Comics, ''It's Jeff!'' is a can't-miss collection filled with laughs and love for animals." In May 2024, Pleasant rated ''It's Jeff!'' #1 a 10 out of 10 and highlighted that the transition into print was done with "bit of a visual distinction to the flow". Pleasant opined that "between hompson'sstory and Gurihiru's artwork, we get the tale of a happy little land shark who can get into trouble, but mostly just wants to have fun, be loved, and eat all the food he can find. ..What ''It's Jeff'' comes down to is one thing: Jeff the Land Shark is adorable and gets into amusing hijinks. It's not a deep story or character exploration, but it's cute and fun, which is exactly what we want from this comic".

The comic ''It's Jeff: The Jeff-Verse'' #1 won Best Humor Publication at the 2024's Eisner Awards. Joshua Kazemi, in a review of ''Venom War: It's Jeff'' #1 for ''CBR'', highlighted that the one-shot is "incredibly satisfying thanks to Jeff himself" and while it is not very "substantive" and lacks "meaningful character arcs", the issue "is very fun and very cute". Kazemi commented that due to the issue's "great panels, there's never a moment where a reader is questioning what's happening or how Jeff is feeling". Jones, in his review of the trade paperback which includes the two print one-shot collections of the ''It's Jeff Infinity Comic'' and the ''Venom War'' tie-in issue, commented that "each and every Jeff tale from Thompson and Gurihiru is a treat" as "Thompson's mind for comedy and Gurihiru's signature style make each entry a blend of cute and funny casual-reading that anyone can enjoy". Jones expressed a preference for the original Infinity Comic format, describing it as "a fun new take on classic comic strip conventions" and that it feels "akin to a Snoopy comic". He highlighted "a noticeable difference in paneling" for later the print-format ''Venomverse'' and ''Venom War'' stories, commenting that it is "not a bad shift, and other structural changes around dialogue are important for telling a story that is complex enough to span an entire issue". In 2025, Thompson was nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Writer for her work on ''Venom War: It's Jeff'' #1 and other comics. ''ICv2'' highlighted that ComicHub, a point of sale tracking system which provides a "non-random sample" from "stores selling American comics around the world", listed the print one-shot collection ''It's Jeff: Jeff Week'' #1 in May 2025 as #40 on "Top 50 Graphic Novels by Units" and #33 on "Top 50 Graphic Novels by Dollars".

''Marvel Rivals'' (2024)

Echo Apsey of ''Rolling Stone'' highlighted that ''Marvel Rivals'' (2024) has "thrust" Marvel side characters such as Jeff "into the spotlight". Cass Marshall of ''Polygon'' commented that they were "delighted to discover" the character through the video game where Jeff is a playable character and that they were "not alone" in becoming "obsessed with Jeff". Marshall highlighted that in play they enjoy Jeff's "toe beans, the way he hums menacingly when he submerges beneath the ground, his reload animation that has him flip on his back and snack on a tasty fish". Marshall also noted that "hilariously enough," the character's ultimate ability called 'It's Jeff!' is considered "one of the most rage-inducing" as Jeff makes a whirlpool "and then gobbles up each enemy caught in the whirlpool's radius. Jeff can then spit those enemies out, sending them off a cliff, or into the middle of a bunch of hostile duelists. It's great fun". Apsey commented that his ''Marvel Rivals'' version has not removed "his loving personality" and gave Jeff the ability to "heal allies", however, this version is also "far more terrifying" due to his whirlpool attack. Kenneth Shepard of ''Kotaku'' commented that at first glance Jeff is "just a silly little guy", however, "few characters are as chaotic as Jeff" and "''Marvel Rivals'' players have learned, this happy dude is actually one of the biggest menaces in the game, and god, I hope NetEase keeps him like this forever". He highlighted that Jeff's "destructive power contrasted with his cute, unassuming demeanor has made him the center of so many jokes in the game's community just days after launch". Apsey similarly noted that Jeff has become an "instant favorite for his adorably menacing antics" and an "internet darling". Herb Scribner of ''The Washington Post'' highlighted the "massive reaction to Jeff" on social media where the fan reaction is divided with some describing the character as "MVP or the GOAT" while others "hate him" after being on the receiving end of his abilities. Rich Johnston of ''Bleeding Cool'' noted that the resale value of ''West Coast Avengers'' (vol. 3) #7 on eBay increased following a spike in "Jeff's popularity" due to "his prominent appearance in the ''Marvel Rivals'' video game". He highlighted that while a small land shark chases Gwenpool in issue #6, issue #7 is where the small land shark is named Jeff and that the "market favors issue #7" over issue #6 as Jeff's first appearance.

Titles

In other media

Film and TV

* Jeff the Land Shark appears in the animated film ''Lego Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition''.
* Brad Winderbaum, the head of television, streaming, and animation at Marvel Studios, confirmed in December 2024 that Jeff will appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
* Jeff the Land Shark will appear in ''Spidey and His Amazing Friends'', voiced by TBA.

Board games

* Jeff the Land Shark appears in ''Marvel United: X-Men'' (2021) via Gwenpool's Kickstarter exclusive miniature.
* Jeff the Land Shark appears in ''Marvel: Crisis Protocol'' (2019) via the "Gwenpool Character Pack" released in 2023.
* Jeff the Land Shark appears in ''Marvel United: Multiverse'' (2024) via the Pet Companions expansion which was released as a Kickstarter stretch goal.

Video games

* Jeff the Land Shark debuted as a playable character in '' Marvel Puzzle Quest'' (2013) in 2023.
* Jeff the Land Shark debuted in ''Marvel Snap'' (2022) in 2023.
* Jeff the Land Shark debuted as a playable character in ''Marvel Rivals'' (2024) when the game launched in December 2024. In this version, the character was a prisoner in the Collector's menagerie before being part of prison break led by Mantis who was encouraged by "Jeff's optimism". "Jeff was added to the ''Rivals'' late in development" when the designers felt they needed to expand the game's hero roster – the character was picked because Jeff "is well-liked among Marvel comic books fans". The 2024 Winter Celebration featured a new game mode – Jeff's Winter Splash Festival – similar to the Nintendo series ''Splatoon'' where all the players play as Jeff.

Miscellaneous

* Jeff the Land Shark received an action figure in Hasbro's Marvel Legends line in 2020. The figure was included in a pack for Shiklah. Thompson noted that Jeff's first action figure includes the side flippers which were subsequently removed from the character's design.

References

External links

Jeffrey "Jeff"
at the Marvel Wiki

{{Deadpool

Animal superheroes
Comics characters introduced in 2018
Comics characters introduced in 2019
Fictional sharks
Anthropomorphic fish
Marvel Comics animals
Marvel Comics male superheroes