You’ve seen him. That tiny, four-legged shark waddling around in a fuzzy pink dolphin costume. If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or jumped into a match of Marvel Rivals lately, you know exactly who I’m talking about. People call him jeff the shark dolphin, but his official name is Jeffrey the Land Shark.
He’s not actually a dolphin. He’s a shark who just wants to be loved.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how a character who started as a background gag in a 2018 comic book became one of the most recognizable icons in gaming by 2026. He isn't some corporate-mandated mascot designed by a committee to sell plushies—though, let’s be real, the plushies are selling like crazy. He exists because a writer named Kelly Thompson and artist Daniele di Nicuolo decided the Marvel Universe needed a baby shark with legs.
The Story Behind the Dolphin Suit
Why the costume? It’s basically the most wholesome thing in the world. In the It’s Jeff! Infinity Comic (specifically issue #3), Jeff wants to hang out at a pool party. The problem? He’s a shark. Even a tiny, adorable land shark tends to clear out a swimming pool faster than a "no lifeguard" sign.
People saw the fin and panicked. Jeff got lonely.
To fix it, he found a pink dolphin suit. The logic was simple: everybody loves dolphins. If he looks like a dolphin, maybe they’ll let him stay for the snacks. It worked in the comics, and it worked even better when NetEase brought the "Incognito Dolphin" skin to Marvel Rivals. Now, players spend actual money to make their deadly land-predator look like a soft, aquatic mammal.
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Why Jeff the Shark Dolphin is Actually a Menace
Don't let the googly eyes fool you. In the game, Jeff is a Strategist, which is a fancy way of saying he’s a healer. But his ultimate ability, "It's Jeff!", is terrifying. He literally dives into the ground, swims under the floorboards, and then erupts to swallow the entire enemy team.
He can then carry them around in his mouth. If the player is feeling particularly chaotic, they just walk Jeff right off the edge of the map. He spits the enemies out into the abyss while he uses his "Hide and Seek" ability to scurry back to safety.
It’s hilarious. It’s also incredibly frustrating if you’re the one being eaten by a pink dolphin.
Where Did This Little Guy Come From?
Jeffrey first appeared in West Coast Avengers (vol. 3) #6. He was part of a group of land sharks created by the villain M.O.D.O.K. to attack Santa Monica. Gwenpool—the pink-clad hero who knows she’s in a comic book—ended up adopting him. She named him Jeff after a kitten she used to have.
Since then, he’s been passed around like a shared custody pet. He’s lived with:
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- Gwenpool: His original "mom" who saved him from being a generic hench-creature.
- Deadpool: Wade Wilson took care of him for a while on Monster Island.
- Kate Bishop: The other Hawkeye, who is basically his current primary guardian in the comics.
The weirdest part of his lore? He’s actually met some of the biggest hitters in the galaxy. He’s been bonded to a Symbiote during the Venom War. He’s eaten Pym Particles to change size. He even has a confirmed future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as Brad Winderbaum from Marvel Studios mentioned in late 2024.
Is Jeff a Real Animal?
No. Please don't go looking for a "land shark" at the local aquarium. Evolution hasn't caught up to Marvel’s imagination yet. Real sharks need to keep moving to breathe (mostly) and definitely don't have four stubby legs for running across the beach.
But jeff the shark dolphin represents something very specific in internet culture: the "ugly-cute" or "random" humor that resonates with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. He’s the Blåhaj of the superhero world. He’s basically a dog that looks like a fish.
How to Play Jeff Like a Pro (Or at Least Not Die)
If you're playing him in Marvel Rivals, you've got to manage your cooldowns. His primary fire, "Joyful Splash," is a long-range stream of water. It heals your buddies and hurts your enemies at the same time.
Here is what you actually need to do:
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- Stay Submerged: Use "Hide and Seek" constantly. It makes you faster and harder to hit. You only show a little fin on the ground.
- Bubble Management: Throw out "Healing Bubbles" near your tank. They give a speed boost and health.
- The Ultimate Bait: Don't just pop your ultimate whenever. Wait for the enemy team to group up on the objective. Dive, eat them, and relocate them to a worse position.
He’s small, which is an advantage, but he has a massive head. Literally. His headshot hitbox is huge. If a Hawkeye or a Hela catches you out of the ground, you're toast in about two seconds.
The Cultural Impact of a Legged Fish
It's 2026, and we are seeing Jeff everywhere. From Hot Topic pins to high-end collectibles. There's even talk of him getting his own animated shorts. The "dolphin" aspect is the most searched part of his identity because it’s such a clever subversion of what we expect from a "shark" character.
Most sharks in media are Jaws. Jeff is just a guy who wants a sandwich.
The appeal is the contrast. You have these massive, world-ending threats like Thanos or Galactus, and then you have a small shark in a dolphin suit trying to blend in at a pool party. It reminds people that even in a world of capes and cosmic rays, there's room for something genuinely silly.
Actionable Insights for Jeff Fans
If you want to dive deeper into the Jeff lore or maximize your time with him in the game, focus on these areas:
- Read the Infinity Comics: It’s Jeff! is a vertical-scrolling comic on Marvel Unlimited. It has no dialogue, making it a perfect, quick read for anyone regardless of how much Marvel history they know.
- Unlock the Skin: The "Incognito Dolphin" skin is often tied to seasonal events or the shop in Marvel Rivals. Keep an eye on the Strategist section of the character skins.
- Watch the Positioning: In-game, Jeff works best when paired with a big shield tank like Groot or Doctor Strange. He can heal through multiple teammates, so tell your team to line up.
- Check the Merch: Given his popularity, official Lego sets and vinyl figures (like the Marvel Companions collection) are the most reliable way to get high-quality Jeff gear without falling for "bootleg" shark toys that lack his specific four-legged design.