Everything You Need to Know About Marvel’s Jeff the Land Shark

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Over the years, Marvel Comics has brought hundreds of characters to life, and sometimes, it can take a bit for those characters to catch on. Jeff the Land Shark is one of those characters. He first appeared in 2018 and has slowly overtaken the Marvel Universe. As his fandom grows, so does the need to learn more about this darling character.

First, Jeff appeared in group comics; then, he got his own series. Now, Jeff is a fan-favorite character in Marvel Rivals. Where will this shark go next? Jeff is an iconic and beloved character. He’s sweet and funny but has a habit of attracting all sorts of chaos. No matter what is happening, fans can count on Jeff to support those he holds dear.

Jeff’s First Appearance in Marvel Comics

West Coast Avengers #7 (2018)

Jeff the Land Shark first graced the pages of West Coast Avengers #7 in 2018. He was part of a group of Land Sharks, all created by M.O.D.O.K., though the villain was going by B.R.O.D.O.K. at the time. When B.R.O.D.O.K. sent the swarm of land sharks out to attack Santa Monica, Jeff tagged along but quickly jumped ship.

It was at this time that Jeff and the West Coast Avengers formally met. It was love at first sight for Gwen and Jeff, with Gwen immediately adopting the adorable Land Shark and making him part of the team. While the rest of the team was less certain of Jeff, his endearing ways broke them down with time. There’s no denying that Jeff brought with him a fair share of chaos, but he also backed the team to the best of his ability every time they needed him, proving he’s a team player.

Jeff’s Abilities and Skillsets

He’s a Shark With Legs, and a Few Other Surprises

Above all else, Jeff is a Land Shark. In other words, he can live both on land and in the water. He has itty bitty legs, allowing him to walk on land. Additionally, Jeff retained his gills, making it possible for him to return to the water as needed.

Most people only notice his cute face, but Jeff the Land Shark is much brighter than he appears. He’s fully aware of his surroundings, showing concern for his allies when they’re in danger. He even takes on missions when his friends fail, demonstrating a complete understanding of objectives. At his core, Jeff is a sensitive little shark who hates seeing his friends upset. He’s often seen coaxing them into playing dress-up with him, because nobody can stay sad when Jeff is rocking the silliest costumes!

Jeff’s Best Human Friend is Gwenpool

Gwen Poole is All For Chaos and Fun

From the moment Gwenpool laid eyes on Jeff the Land Shark, she was smitten. She instantly took the little Land Shark under her wing, and they’ve been best friends ever since. Jeff followed Gwenpool from the West Coast Avengers to her solo series, Gwenpool Strikes Back. Here, Jeff does his best to support Gwen during her antics, though he grows exceptionally concerned when Gwen has to fight the Hulk.

There’s no denying the special bond that Gwen and Jeff have. For example, when Gwenpool Strikes Back was nearing its end, Gwenpool used her fourth-wall-breaking abilities to protect Jeff. She handed him over to another hero, assuming his presence in a seemingly more popular series would help protect the little land shark. Gwen’s assumption wasn’t entirely wrong, as this kickstarted Jeff’s adventures across the Marvel Universe.

Sometimes, Jeff Needs a Little Extra Care

Following Jeff’s time with Gwenpool, he spent a fair amount of time with Deadpool. This puts Jeff the Land Shark in a position to meet Elsa Bloodstone, the monster hunter, which was a very fortunate event, as it turns out. During Marvel Comics #1000, Jeff is left under the care of Elsa Bloodstone.

Leaving a monster hunter in charge of Jeff might not seem ideal, but readers needn’t worry. Within a single page, Elsa Bloodstone transitions from considering whether she might need to kill Jeff to declaring her undying loyalty to him, vowing to kill anyone who dares to harm the little land shark. Coming from Elsa, those are no empty words; she has the skills to back them up. She continues to protect Jeff throughout her time in Deadpool’s story, proving her fierce dedication to his safety.

Jeff Was an Ally to King Deadpool

The Most Loyal Little Land Shark Around

As mentioned above, there came a time when Gwenpool feared her series would be permanently canceled, resulting in her comic demise. To protect Jeff, Gwen put him in the care of a more popular hero: Deadpool. During this time, Deadpool was on a quest to kill the King of Monsters, ultimately aiming to claim the throne for himself.

However, even a king needs loyal allies, and there’s nobody more dedicated than Jeff. He stayed by Deadpool’s side through thick and thin, even when that meant facing off against enormous monsters and impossible odds. Jeff even went to Krakoa alongside Deadpool and the rest of his team. Not only did Jeff assist during the battles, but he also helped Deadpool assemble teams. For example, Jeff brought Jelby’s unique abilities to Deadpool’s attention.

Jeff’s First Love and Heartbreak

Falling in Love with a Kaiju Never Goes Well

Thanks to his adventures with Deadpool, Jeff met many different Marvel characters, from Elsa Bloodstone to dozens of X-Men. One of the more memorable interactions occurred during Deadpool #5. In this issue, a Ragmagjira Kaiju came for the king’s title. This electrically charged kaiju quickly became a problem, and not for the reasons one might expect.

Dubbed Smash Smash by King Deadpool, the kaiju quickly caught Jeff’s attention. Jeff was smitten with Smash Smash at first sight, only to have his affections harshly rejected. To make matters worse, Smash Smash swallowed Jeff whole, much to the dismay of Deadpool and Elsa. Don’t worry—Jeff came out unscathed. The same couldn’t be said for Smash Smash, who was taken down by Deadpool and Elsa to protect their friend. At least Jeff now knows what love feels like!

Jeff Once Tricked the X-Men

Nobody Would Ever Suspect that Cute Little Face

During Deadpool’s reign as King of Monsters, mutant life was thriving on Krakoa, leading Wade to hope for an alliance. Unfortunately, his dreams were dashed when he and Jeff arrived on the island, only to discover the X-Men weren’t interested in taking visitors.

Things quickly spiraled out of control—calm negotiation has never been Deadpool’s style. Before long, Deadpool, Jeff, and the X-Men were locked in battle. However, the chaos had a silver lining: Jeff recognized the distraction for what it was. While the others clashed, Jeff snuck away and ate a Krakoan flower, an item Deadpool had always wanted. These flowers enable mutants to travel to and from the island. When the duo returned safely to Monster Island, Jeff proudly presented the prize to his king, securing the flower in his own unique way.

Jeff Was Bonded With a Symbiote

A Shark Symbiote Shouldn’t Be Cute, But Jeff Makes It Work

Symbiotes have been around in the Marvel Universe for decades, causing havoc and mayhem. However, bringing Jeff into their fold suddenly made them seem much cuter. It all started when Knull moved to take over the universe. Superhero teams across the world took up arms to do their part, including Deadpool. Deadpool rallied what he called the Monster King’s Honor Guard, which naturally included Jeff.

Jeff handled himself admirably against his enemies, but close combat wasn’t ideal for facing the Symbiote Hive, especially in the form of a dragon. When the creature came for the team, Jeff didn’t hesitate to bite his enemy. Unfortunately, this act led to Jeff being taken over by the symbiote. Deadpool and the team, unwilling to harm their ally, devised a different solution. Jelby carefully encased Jeff in one of his bubbles, keeping him safe while also preventing him from biting any more friends. This kept Jeff safe and prevented him from biting any more friends.

Jeff’s Adventures Through Marvel Infinity

Making New Friends and Causing Chaos

More recently, Jeff’s adventures have taken a new turn. That’s right! Jeff finally got his own series in 2023, titled It’s Jeff! This time around, Jeff’s care has been passed to Kate Bishop, aka Hawkeye. The two are a perfect pair as Jeff romps across the Marvel Universe, making friends, creating adventures, and making the readers fall in love with him all over again.

Jeff’s mini-adventures, with their slice-of-life style, were an instant hit. Fans loved how Jeff played with Marvel settings and characters, creating enjoyable yet happily light escapades. The little hero is frequently preoccupied with finding food or a way to cheer up those around him. It’s Jeff: The Jeff-Verse won an Eisner Best Humor Publication award in 2024. Jeff’s series continues to be a hit and is available for all readers through Marvel Unlimited.

Jeff’s Success in Marvel Rivals

A Surprising Addition to Marvel Rivals

From the first comic, Jeff the Land Shark has had a small yet loyal fan base. However, the more recent appearance of the little land shark has made him wildly popular. Marvel Rivals recently brought Jeff in as a playable character, and he’s a hit. Jeff’s abilities include healing, damage reduction, and an ultimate move that can swallow enemies whole.

Fans love playing the little hero, who’s quite a bit bigger in the video game version. However, not everybody loves battling Jeff, as proven by his divisive nature. Those who know little about the character likely have trouble appreciating his cuteness, especially when he’s causing mayhem on the scene. Jeff’s presence in the game is a big deal, as he’s easily the least-known hero on the roster. Or rather, he was. All this attention is giving the hero quite the glow-up.

“}]] Jeff the Land Shark first debuted in Marvel Comics in 2018, and since then, he has taken off. Here’s what readers need to know about this hero.  Read More