Jeff the Land Shark

Jeff the Land Shark(also known asJeffrey) is a fictional character who appears inAmerican comic bookspublished byMarvel Comics. Created by writerKelly Thompsonand artist Daniele di Nicuolo, the characterfirst appearedinWest Coast Avengers(vol. 3) #6 (October 2018), but was not named and formally introduced until issue #7 (January 2019).Jeff is the pet landshark (leggedshark) of thesuperheroesGwen PooleandKate Bishop, and has also been cared for byWade WilsonandElsa Bloodstone.
He has subsequently appeared in a variety of additional media. He headlines in the digitalMarvel's Infinity ComicsseriesIt's Jeff!written by Thompson and drawn byGurihiru, which was first published in September 2021. This vertical scrolling format comic returned for a second season in September 2022 and for a third season in October 2023. At theEisner Awards,It's Jeff!was nominated in 2022 forBest Digital Comicand won in 2024 for Best Humor Publication.In December 2024, Jeff debuted as aplayable characterin the video gameMarvel Rivals.
Landsharks first appeared inWest Coast Avengers(vol. 3) #1 (October2018), created by writerKelly Thompsonand 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 byGwen Pooleand named "Jeff", as part of an ultimately abandonedrunning gagwhere 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 ofWest Coast Avengers.Thompson highlighted that Jeff's original design included sideflippers, however, they were removed early on.
Jeff returned inGwenpool Strikes Back(2019), by writerLeah Williamsand artist David Baldeon, andDeadpool(volume 8:King Deadpool), by writer Thompson and artistsChris Bachaloand 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 projectMarvel#1000 (2019).
Thompson credits a con exhibition piece byThe Unbelievable GwenPoolartistsGurihiruas popularizing Jeff.Characters in the Marvel Universe started being depicted with Jeff-themed merchandise.Starting September 2021, Jeff then starred in his own series, titledIt's Jeff!,written by Thompson and drawn by Gurihiru.This comedy series has no dialogue.It's Jeff!premiered as part of the newMarvel's Infinity Comicsprogram; these digital comics are in the vertical scrolling format and are only available toMarvel Unlimitedsubscribers.A second season ofIt's Jeff!returned in September 2022, running until January 2023.A third season ofIt's Jeff!launched on October 20, 2023.It's Jeff!#1 was released in print in March 2023; thisone-shotissue collects the short stories originally published in the digitalInfinity Comicsformat.It's Jeff: The Jeff-Verse#1 was released in November 2023; this print issue collects issues #13-24 of theInfinity Comic.
Jeff has also appeared in theMarvel Meow Infinity Comic(2022)and in the Marvel Unlimited crossoverInfinity Paws, written byJason Looand drawn by Nao Fuji, which released in spring 2024.
Jeff was "venomized" as part of Marvel's 2023Summer of Symbiotesevent in the short story "The Rhythm of the Night" written by Thompson and drawn by Gurihiru. This story was printed inExtreme Venomverse#5 (July 2023).As part of the 2024Venom Warevent, Jeff was featured in the one-shotVenom War: It's Jeff#1 (November 2024) written by Thompson and illustrated by Gurihiru.
Jeff appears inJeff Week Infinity Comic(2024), a five-issuelimited serieswritten and drawn byGustavo Duarte.He also appeared inMarvel Rivals Infinity Comic(2024), a six-issue limited series by writer Paul Allor and artist Luca Claretti.
Jeff, withCarol Danvers, was featured on thevariant coverofCaptain Marvel#39 with art by Gurihiru; this version was exclusive to  Marvel Unlimited Annual Plus subscribers who attendedSan Diego Comic-Conin July 2022.Gurihiru then did two more variant covers,Captain Marvel#42 andCaptain America: Symbol of Truth#6, which feature Jeff in October 2022.Nao Fuji (artist ofMarvel Meow) also did a variant cover, forShang-Chi and the Ten Rings#4 (October 2022), featuring Jeff.The "venomized" version of Jeff was featured on two of theExtreme Venomverse#5 (July 2023) covers – the standard cover byLeinil Francis Yuand a variant cover byPeach Momoko.
The land sharks were created byMODOK Superior.When theWest Coast Avengersled byKate Bishopdefeated the West Coast version of theMasters of Evilthat MODOK Superior was a part of, MODOK Superior's former employee and nemesisGwen Poolefound and adopted a baby land-shark, naming it Jeff after a kitten of the same name Gwen had adopted earlier in the series but who she had to give up.Gwen was also motivated to adopt him by previously having had a shark-theme herself, including a shark backpack, sharkBlåhaj, shark phone case,and shark Venom form.Jeff became part of the West Coast Avengers.
Gwen, areal worldbeing aware of thefictionalcomic book nature of theMarvel Universeafter beingtransportedthere, 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 forElsa Bloodstoneto 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; stolenCaptain America's shieldto sled with theYoung Avengers; eaten theInfinity 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 atConey Island. When the Zombiotes attacked, Jeff assisted Kate, Gwen,America Chavez, andFusein fighting the Zombiotes. Once the Zombiotes were defeated, Jeff and the Symbiote separated from each other. Everyone then celebrated by having churros.
Jeff is aquadrupedland-shark with a prodigious appetite. He possesses the normal attributes of an Earthshark. His main attack is biting. To blend in when going out, Jeff uses an assortment of animal costumes.
Chris Arrant ofNewsaramacalled 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 ofScreen Rantreferred 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 ofCBRranked 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 inWest Coast Avengers, Robbie Pleasant ofMultiversity Comicscommented 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".
Graeme McMillan, forPolygonin 2021, commented that of the newInfinity Comics,It's Jeff!"is pretty perfect from the start" and "an utter joy" unlike the rest of the line.Jim Dandeneau, forDen 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 forBest Digital Comicat the 2022Eisner Awards.
Following the print release in 2023, Avery Kaplan, forThe 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 ofPolygonhighlighted 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 Funniessimple".
Hannah Rose ofCBRasserted, "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 ofComicBook.comgaveIt'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 ratedIt'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 [Thompson's] story 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. [...] WhatIt's Jeffcomes 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 comicIt's Jeff: The Jeff-Verse#1 won Best Humor Publication at the 2024'sEisner Awards.Joshua Kazemi, in a review ofVenom War: It's Jeff#1 forCBR, 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".
Echo Apsey ofRolling Stonehighlighted thatMarvel Rivals(2024) has "thrust" Marvel side characters such as Jeff "into the spotlight".Cass Marshall ofPolygoncommented that they were "delighted to discover" the character through the video game where Jeff is aplayable characterand 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 hisMarvel Rivalsversion 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 ofKotakucommented that at first glance Jeff is "just a silly little guy", however, "few characters are as chaotic as Jeff" and "Marvel Rivalsplayers have learned, this happy dude is actually one of the biggest menaces in the game, and god, I hopeNetEasekeeps 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 ofThe Washington Posthighlighted the "massive reaction to Jeff" on social media where the fan reaction is divided with some describing the character as "MVPor the GOAT" while others "hate him" after being on the receiving end of his abilities.Rich JohnstonofBleeding Coolnoted that theresale valueofWest Coast Avengers(vol. 3) #7 oneBayincreased following a spike in "Jeff's popularity" due to "his prominent appearance in theMarvel Rivalsvideo 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.