Who The Hell Is... Jeff the Land Shark?

Jeff the Land Shark as seen in Marvel Rivals

Marvel is full of heroes with serious powers, epic backstories, and universe-altering abilities. But every so often, a character comes along who steals the spotlight with nothing more than a wag of their tail and a love for snacks. Enter Jeff the Land Shark — an adorable, pint-sized companion with a big heart and some surprising abilities. Don't let his cuteness fool you, though. Jeff can hold his own on the battlefield, especially in Marvel Rivals, where his unique set of abilities makes him a fan favorite for players who like to mix healing and fun with some serious action.

Whether you're familiar with Jeff from the comics, from Marvel Snap, or you're meeting him for the first time in Marvel Rivals, this lovable land shark is about to swim his way into your heart.

Who Is Jeff the Land Shark?

Jeff first appeared in West Coast Avengers #7 (2019), created by writer Kelly Thompson and artist Daniele Di Nicuolo. Brought into the Marvel Universe as a companion for the hero Gwenpool, Jeff immediately charmed readers with his playful personality and unwavering loyalty.

Jeff is a Land Shark, a creature designed by the evil villain MODOK — though you'd never guess his sinister origins from his lovable antics. Adopted by Gwenpool, Jeff quickly became a loyal sidekick, following her on adventures and even joining forces with heroes like Deadpool. Although he doesn't speak, Jeff communicates with his expressive eyes and boundless enthusiasm, often finding himself in the middle of fights — though his primary instinct is to play and make friends.

Jeff on the cover of It's Jeff! #1 (2023)

Despite his small size, Jeff has proven he's more than just a pet. His bravery and loyalty make him a true hero in his own right, and in the Marvel Universe, he's earned his place alongside other super-pets like Lockjaw and Throg.

Jeff's Place in the Marvel Universe

While Jeff may have started as a sidekick and comic relief, his popularity has grown exponentially. He's a regular favorite on social media and has even earned his own spin-off appearances in various Marvel Unlimited Infinity Comics, where fans get to see more of his solo adventures. These stories showcase Jeff's simple joys — whether it's chasing butterflies, playing with other pets, or getting into mischief.

Fans love Jeff not just for his adorable antics but for the way he brings levity and heart to the often intense Marvel Universe. He's a reminder that not every superhero needs to be brooding or battling world-ending threats — sometimes, all it takes to win people over is a shark with a love for fun and friendship.

At first glance, Jeff the Land Shark might seem like a simple, comedic character, but he's far more than just Marvel's cutest mascot. In Marvel Rivals, he brings a unique combination of healing, mobility, and damage that can change the flow of any battle. His support abilities, coupled with his playful nature, make him a refreshing addition to any team.

Jeff in Marvel Rivals: A Playful and Powerful Support Character

In Marvel Rivals, Jeff the Land Shark is not just there for cuteness — he brings a unique set of support abilities that can turn the tide of battle. His healing powers, mobility, and defensive buffs make him an essential ally for any team, especially when used strategically.

Jeff's role in Marvel Rivals revolves around balancing support and offense. His Joyful Splash ability unleashes a healing splash that helps his allies recover health and combos well with his Healing Bubble, which boosts all healing received by the ally who collects it, offering both burst and sustained healing.

Jeff's Oblivious Cuteness passive ability reduces the damage he takes from critical strikes, proving that sometimes, being adorable has its perks! This makes Jeff more durable than he appears, allowing him to stay in the thick of battle without being easily taken down by enemy crits. Whether he's healing teammates or launching water-based attacks, Jeff's passive ability ensures that he can endure more damage, making him a surprisingly resilient character.

One of Jeff's most fun and unique abilities in Marvel Rivals is Hide and Seek. With this ability, Jeff dives into the ground, leaving only his dorsal fin exposed. While in this state, Jeff gains a slight movement speed boost and the ability to wall-crawl, giving him increased mobility and allowing him to navigate the battlefield with ease.

Hide and Seek can be used strategically to dodge incoming attacks, reposition quickly, or escape sticky situations. Jeff can also use this ability to get closer to injured allies or enemies, setting them up for a well-timed healing or damaging move. It's not just an escape tool, but a way to reposition and gain the upper hand in combat.

When it's time to unleash Jeff's full potential, the It's Jeff! ultimate ability kicks things up a notch. Jeff dives into the floor, and upon resurfacing, he swallows both enemies and allies within range. This playful yet powerful move initiates Hide and Seek for a brief duration, allowing Jeff to temporarily dive underground before ejecting the swallowed heroes forward.

Swallowed allies are healed gradually, making this a great tool for recovering health during intense battles. Meanwhile, swallowed enemies take damage, adding a chaotic and unpredictable element to team fights. As allies and enemies can be spat out separately, a common use for the ultimate is to bring swallowed enemies to a cliff and spit enemies over the edge, all but guaranteeing death for heroes who lack mobility tools.