Honestly, if you told a comic fan ten years ago that a four-legged shark who loves pizza would become one of the most recognizable faces in the Marvel Universe, they’d probably assume you were reading too much Howard the Duck. But here we are. Jeff the Landshark Marvel isn’t just a background gag anymore. He’s a genuine phenomenon.
He’s the kind of character that shouldn't work. He doesn't talk. He has no tragic back story involving a murdered uncle. He’s just a shark with legs.
Yet, he's basically the unofficial mascot of the modern Marvel era.
Where did Jeff actually come from?
Most people think Jeff just appeared out of thin air because he’s so ubiquitous on social media. The truth is a bit weirder. Jeff was actually a byproduct of a mad scientist’s plan to terrorize Santa Monica.
Back in 2018, in the pages of West Coast Avengers (Volume 3), the villain MODOK—who was going by the name "B.R.O.D.O.K." at the time because he’d grown a full head of hair and a "hunky" body—created an army of genetically modified landsharks. They were supposed to be weapons. Tiny, biting, amphibious weapons.
When the team, led by Kate Bishop, defeated MODOK, most of the sharks were dealt with. But Gwenpool found one little guy that was just too cute to leave behind. She named him Jeff.
Why Jeff? Because she’d previously adopted a kitten and named it Jeff, but had to give it up. It’s a very "Gwenpool" reason.
The character was created by writer Kelly Thompson and artist Daniele di Nicuolo. Interestingly, Thompson has mentioned on her Substack that Jeff’s design was originally more "shark-like" with side flippers, but those were eventually ditched for the cleaner, more "dog-like" look he has today.
The hand-off to Deadpool
One of the coolest things about Jeff is how he moves between titles. Since Gwenpool is a fourth-wall-breaking character, she’s constantly worried about being forgotten. In Gwenpool Strikes Back, she became terrified that if her series ended, Jeff would be erased from existence.
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To save him, she literally handed him off to Deadpool.
She knew Deadpool was a popular character whose books never get canceled. It was a meta-commentary on the comic industry, but it also gave us the "King Deadpool" era where Jeff lived on Staten Island (renamed Monster Island) with Wade Wilson and Elsa Bloodstone.
Wade treats Jeff like a son. Or a very weird dog. It depends on the day.
What can Jeff the Landshark Marvel actually do?
He’s not exactly Thor. If you’re looking for someone to punch a hole through a Celestial, Jeff is not your guy. But don't underestimate him.
- Amphibious Nature: He can breathe air and water perfectly fine.
- The "Chomp": He’s a shark. His teeth are sharp. He once bit the face of a vampire and has frequently chewed on Deadpool’s legs just for fun.
- Pym Particle Shenanigans: In the It’s Jeff! digital comics and the Marvel Rivals game, Jeff has been known to eat Pym Particles. This allows him to grow to massive sizes or shrink down.
- Symbiote Bonding: During the King in Black and Venom War events, Jeff actually bonded with a symbiote. He became "Venom-Jeff," which is exactly as terrifying and adorable as it sounds.
Why is he so famous now?
If you don't read comics, you probably know Jeff from the 2024/2025 boom of the video game Marvel Rivals. He’s a "Strategist" class hero in the game, and his kit is wild. He shoots healing water at teammates and can literally swallow enemies whole using his ultimate ability.
It’s the Marvel Rivals version of the character that really cemented him as a household name. That game’s lore even suggests he ate some of the Infinity Stones while escaping the Collector, which explains why he’s so much more powerful in the game than he usually is in the 616 comic continuity.
He’s also the star of his own Eisner-winning digital series called It’s Jeff! by Kelly Thompson and the art duo Gurihiru. These are wordless, vertical-scrolling comics on the Marvel Unlimited app. They are pure joy. One issue involves him stealing the Avengers’ gear to become a "superhero," and another is just him trying to get a slice of pizza.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe rumors
People are constantly asking if Jeff is coming to the MCU. At a 2024 press event, Marvel’s Head of TV and Streaming, Brad Winderbaum, basically confirmed it. He said something along the lines of "We’re all Jeff fans around here," and hinted that the character would show up eventually.
Whether that’s a CGI version in a live-action Deadpool movie or an appearance in an animated series like What If...? remains to be seen. But the merchandise sales alone—from plushies to those "Business Shark" skins—make it an inevitability.
How to get started with Jeff
If you want to actually read the source material, don't overcomplicate it. You don't need forty years of backstories.
- West Coast Avengers (2018) #7-10: This is the origin. It’s where the team adopts him and the legend begins.
- Deadpool (2019) by Kelly Thompson: This is where Jeff becomes a staple of the Marvel Universe. The dynamic between Wade, Elsa Bloodstone, and Jeff is peak comedy.
- It’s Jeff! (Infinity Comic): If you have Marvel Unlimited, just search "Jeff." These are short, 2-minute reads that will instantly brighten your day.
- Marvel Rivals: If you’re a gamer, unlock him. His "Business Suit" skin is a direct reference to It's Jeff! #37, where he runs a waste-disposal business for food trucks.
Jeff is a reminder that comics don't always have to be gritty or dark. Sometimes, you just need a shark that walks on four legs and eats your shoes.
Your next move: If you're looking for physical copies, pick up the It's Jeff! one-shot print issues or the Gwenpool Omnibus. These are the easiest ways to own a piece of Jeff history without hunting through back-issue bins for years.