He shouldn't exist. Honestly, if you look at the math of comic book longevity, a side character created as a throwaway joke in a 2018 issue of West Coast Avengers should have been forgotten by now. Instead, Jeff the Land Shark has become a legitimate pillar of Marvel merchandising. People aren't just buying the comics; they’re hunting for the jeff the land shark plush like it’s the Holy Grail of desk accessories.
Where did this four-legged shark even come from?
It’s a weird story. Jeff was actually a creation of MODOK. Yeah, the giant floating head with tiny limbs. He made a bunch of "land sharks" to attack Santa Monica, but Jeff was different. He was too cute. He was essentially a puppy in a shark’s body. Gwenpool—the fourth-wall-breaking hero—ended up adopting him because she was worried that if her own comic got canceled, she’d need a legacy. She gave him the most generic name possible: Jeff.
It worked.
Fans lost their minds. He’s since hopped around the Marvel universe, being babysat by Deadpool, Elsa Bloodstone, and Kate Bishop. He even has his own Eisner-winning digital comic on Marvel Unlimited called It's Jeff! by Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru. That's the pedigree we're talking about here. He’s not just a toy; he’s an award-winning character who recently made a massive splash as a playable strategist in the video game Marvel Rivals.
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The hunt for the perfect jeff the land shark plush
If you're looking to snag one, it's kinda complicated. There isn't just one "official" version. Because Jeff is so viral, several different companies have tried to capture his specific roundness.
- The Funko Pop! Plush: This is one of the more recent additions, tied specifically to the Marvel Rivals hype. It stands about 7 inches tall. It’s got that classic Funko aesthetic—slightly stylized, very soft, and usually runs around $12 to $15.
- The Bleacher Creatures Kuricha Version: This one is for the serious collectors. It’s an 8-inch plush designed with a Japanese Chibi style. It uses "crystal velboa" fabric, which is basically marketing-speak for "absurdly soft." The cool thing? It has a bean-bag bottom. It actually stays upright on your shelf without leaning against your PC monitor.
- Previews Exclusive (PX) Editions: Sometimes you’ll see "Scuba Jeff" or limited edition variants. These are usually capped at 1,500 pieces and vanish from shops faster than a shark in a feeding frenzy.
You’ve gotta be careful with third-party sellers on sites like Walmart or eBay, though. I've seen some "9.8 inch" versions that look a bit... off. If the eyes look like they're questioning their own existence, it’s probably a knockoff. Stick to licensed Marvel gear if you want the actual Gurihiru-inspired look.
Why Jeff is taking over your feed
It’s not just the plushies. Jeff is everywhere because he fills a very specific niche: the "chaotic good" pet. In Marvel Rivals, he literally heals people by spitting water at them and can swallow enemies whole to relocate them. It’s adorable and terrifying.
TikTok and Instagram are flooded with people showing off their "Jeff corners." Because the character is small and doesn't talk (he mostly just makes little "mrrph" noises), he’s incredibly easy to meme. Plus, there’s the whole "Dolphin Costume" lore. In the comics, Jeff once wore a dolphin fin to hide the fact that he was a shark so people wouldn't be scared of him at the beach. That specific outfit has been turned into figurines, keychains, and yes, fan-made plush modifications.
Real talk: Is the plush worth it?
Look, if you’re a Marvel fan who’s tired of the "serious" brooding heroes, Jeff is the antidote. He’s a reminder that comics can be genuinely silly.
What to look for when buying:
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- Fabric quality: You want velboa or high-pile plush. Avoid the scratchy felt-like stuff.
- Stitching: Check the legs. Jeff has four of them. If the stitching is weak at the joints, he’s going to lose a limb after one week on a backpack.
- Size: 7 to 8 inches is the sweet spot. Anything larger tends to lose the "small dog" feel that makes the character work.
The secondary market for these is already starting to heat up. Some of the older San Diego Comic-Con exclusives are hitting double or triple their original retail price. It’s wild. But for most of us, we just want a round shark friend to sit next to our keyboard while we lose matches in Marvel Snap.
Your next steps for the Jeff collection
Don't just buy the first one you see on a random ad. Check the official Funko or Bleacher Creatures listings first to ensure you're getting a licensed product. If you're a gamer, keep an eye on the Marvel Rivals merch store, as they've been dropping limited runs of Jeff gear to coincide with game updates. Also, if you haven't read the It's Jeff! Infinity Comic on Marvel Unlimited, do that tonight. It’s the purest thing Marvel has produced in a decade.