Jeff the Land Shark: Origin, Powers, MCU & Deadpool

There’s something irresistible about a tiny shark with legs who just wants to explore. Jeff the Land Shark started as a one-off creation in a Marvel comic and somehow became a viral internet darling, a playable character in the hit game Marvel Rivals, and the star of his own comic series. If you’ve seen the adorable land shark memes and wondered where he came from, here’s everything you need to know about Jeff’s origin, powers, and his surprising connection to Deadpool.

First appearance: West Coast Avengers Vol. 3 #1 (2018) · Creator: Created by MODOK (as a Land Shark) · Current owner: Gwenpool and Kate Bishop · Species: Land Shark (amphibious shark with legs) · Notable caretakers: Wade Wilson (Deadpool), Elsa Bloodstone

Six key facts paint a clear picture of Jeff’s identity.

What is the story behind Jeff the Land Shark?

Jeff’s origin is as improbable as his appearance: he was created by the super-intelligent villain M.O.D.O.K. (then going by B.R.O.D.O.K.) as part of a batch of land sharks meant to attack Santa Monica. After the West Coast Avengers defeated the Masters of Evil West Coast, Gwenpool chose to adopt the tiny shark rather than leave him to a grim fate.

Who created Jeff the Land Shark?

• Jeff was created by writer Kelly Thompson and artist Daniele Di Nicuolo for Marvel Comics (Wikipedia).
• Within the story, M.O.D.O.K. designed Jeff and the other land sharks as amphibious weapons (ComicBook.com).
• Jeff first appeared in West Coast Avengers Vol. 3 #6 (October 2018) but was not named until issue #7 (January 2019) (Wikipedia).

The implication: Jeff’s origin sets him up as a character defined by second chances, a theme that resonates through his entire history.

How did Jeff get adopted by Gwenpool?

• Gwenpool (Gwen Poole) adopted Jeff after the West Coast Avengers defeated the Masters of Evil West Coast (Marvel Database Fandom).
• Kate Bishop later became a co-caretaker, sharing responsibility for the land shark (Wikipedia).
• Jeff has since been cared for by Deadpool and Elsa Bloodstone during various story arcs (Wikipedia).

The pattern: Jeff is treated less as a pet and more as a rotating family member among Marvel’s offbeat heroes.

What happened to Jeff the Land Shark?

After his debut, Jeff’s popularity exploded — both in comics and online. He went from a background character to a headlining star.

What is the It’s Jeff! comic series?

• Jeff headlines the digital Infinity Comics series It’s Jeff!, written by Kelly Thompson and drawn by Gurihiru, first published in September 2021 (Wikipedia).
• A second season launched in September 2022, a third in October 2023, and a fourth in November 2024 (Wikipedia).
• The series features Jeff in slice-of-life adventures, often interacting with other Marvel characters.

Has Jeff appeared in recent Marvel events?

• During the Venom War storyline, Jeff was briefly bonded to a Symbiote (Wikipedia).
• Jeff became a playable character in the video game Marvel Rivals, released in December 2024.
• No major tragic events have befallen Jeff; he remains a beloved pet throughout the Marvel Universe.

“Jeff is the pet landshark (legged shark) of the superheroes Gwen Poole and Kate Bishop, and has also been cared for by Wade Wilson and Elsa Bloodstone.”

— Wikipedia entry (Wikipedia)

The implication: Jeff’s consistent presence across multiple storylines shows he’s no longer a one-off gag but a fixture in Marvel’s ensemble.

Is Jeff the Land Shark part of the MCU?

• Jeff the Land Shark has not appeared in any MCU film or series as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
• He is not part of Marvel Studios’ cinematic universe.
• Rumors and fan speculation about a possible cameo exist but no official confirmation.
• Jeff is primarily a comic and video game character (most notably Marvel Rivals).

The pattern: Jeff thrives in the spaces where Marvel lets itself be playful, which is precisely what makes him so hard to translate into the blockbuster film model.

Is Jeff the Land Shark a Deadpool character?

• Jeff is primarily the pet of Gwenpool and Kate Bishop, not Deadpool (Wikipedia).
• Deadpool (Wade Wilson) has occasionally cared for Jeff and appeared alongside him (Wikipedia).
• The confusion arises because of Jeff’s popularity in Deadpool-related media and fan art.
• Deadpool and Jeff have a playful relationship, but Jeff is not his pet.

“As a Land Shark, Jeff possesses legs and the ability to breathe air, so he can be a fish out of water without too many issues.”

— Marvel.com official bio (Marvel Official)

Why this matters: Mistaking Jeff for Deadpool’s pet misses the point — his real bond is with Gwenpool, the character who chose to keep him when no one else would.

Is Jeff Deadpool’s son?

• No, Jeff is not Deadpool’s biological son; this is a fan joke or misconception (Wikipedia).
• Deadpool has no known children in mainstream Marvel canon (except possibly Ellie Camacho in some stories).
• The rumor likely stems from Deadpool’s playful ‘dad’ behavior and Jeff’s cute appearance.
• Marvel officially treats Jeff as a pet, not a son.

The catch: Jeff’s appeal rests on his simplicity — he’s a cute shark with legs. Overcomplicating his lore risks losing the very thing that made him popular.

Timeline

• 2018: Jeff the Land Shark first appears in West Coast Avengers Vol. 3 #1, created by MODOK and later adopted by Gwenpool (Wikipedia).
• 2019–2020: Jeff makes cameo appearances in various Marvel comics, often alongside Gwenpool and Kate Bishop.
• 2021: Jeff’s own Infinity Comics series It’s Jeff! launches (Wikipedia).
• 2023: Jeff becomes a viral internet meme.
• 2024: Jeff is announced as a playable character in Marvel Rivals, released in December.
• 2025 (present): Jeff remains a popular fan-favorite with ongoing comic stories and merchandise.

The pattern: Jeff’s trajectory from a minor villain’s scheme to a multimedia icon shows how fan affection can elevate a character beyond their original purpose.

“I bought the comic because the shark looked cute and I was under the impression it was a standalone thing.”

— Reddit user comment (fan perspective)

For fans wondering if Jeff’s star will keep rising, the signs are good — but Marvel has not confirmed a permanent ongoing series beyond the Infinity Comics format.

Summary. Jeff the Land Shark started as a throwaway weapon in a MODOK scheme and became one of Marvel’s most endearing animal characters. With his own comic series, a playable role in Marvel Rivals, and a massive online following, Jeff has outgrown his origin as a joke. For readers who love found-family dynamics in superhero comics, the lesson is clear: sometimes the best characters are the ones nobody planned to make important.