WithDeadpool & Wolverine, the MCU has finally opened the door to each and every Marvel comic book character that has ever been made to appear in the films of theMarvel Cinematic Universe. Except for Sub-Mariner and the Hulk, at least in their own features. Or Conan the Barbarian. And NFL SuperPro, with his ally Almighty Dollar, are a long shot at best. But despitethe few exceptions, that’s it. Every character thatcanbe in the MCU isinthe MCU. Or are they?There’s one character that has yet to appear, one that has taken the printed page of Marvel Comics by storm, powered the digital comic format, and can take a bite out of crime: Jeff the Land Shark. And I’m furious that this exceptional character has yet to grace the silver screen.
We Have This Marvel Villain to Thank For Jeff the Land Shark
Who is Jeff the Land Shark, you ask? It’s pretty much right there: his name is Jeff (Jeffrey the First of His Name of the Former Staten Island, to be precise), and he’s a shark that can walk on land. For all intents and purposes, he’s like a pet dog, only smarter, gray, and scaly. There’s also his fin, which has been problematic from time to time. Once, while at a pool party, Jeff inadvertently scared everyone away by swimming with only his fin showing above the water. That was easily rectified with a dolphin costume, which served its porpoise - err, purpose - well. Another time, he was running through a field of tulips, but with only his fin visible above the flowers, Jeff sent the locals into a frenzied panic.Does Jeff have any powers to speak of? No, but he can bite and does have a healthy appetite like any other shark.Plus, he has his own catchphrase: Mrrrrrr!
Jeff’s official debut in Marvel Comics came inWest Coast Avengers#7, January 2019, but technically, his first appearance is in the previous issue. Jeff is one of many land sharks created and modified by none other thanB.R.O.D.O.K., aka M.O.D.O.K. The big-headed villain unleashed his land sharks on Santa Monica, but he and his creations were thwarted by the West Coast Avengers. After the fight, Jeff was found by Gwenpool at an abandoned amusement park. She took him in and gave him the moniker “Jeff,” the latest in a series of baby animals Gwen would adopt and lose that all bore the same name. Jeff proved to be a fan favorite and became a part of the West Coast Avengers throughout its entire run, becoming fast friends withLucky the Pizza Dog(whohasdebuted in the MCU inHawkeye).
Jeff the Land Shark Swims From One Pool to Another Pool
Gwen gives Jeff the Land Shark toElsa Bloodstonefollowing theWest Coast Avengersrun, with Elsa promising to always take care of their finny friend, only for Gwen to later transport Jeff to “Gwenpool’s Island,” where she has summoned numerous superheroes to take part in a “superhero battle royale” during the events ofGwenpool Strikes Back, all in a meta-effort to delay her series' cancelation and herself into comic book obscurity. Jeff sits in the stands next toDoctor Strangeand the West Coast Avengers to take in the action but is deeply worried when Gwen pairs up against the Hulk. He need not have worried after all: Gwen defeated the Hulk by bringing in multiple versions of herself from different eras to overpower him before delivering the knockout blow withMjolnir, Thor’s hammer.But after having doubts about her future solo Marvel comic series chances, she entrusts Jeff with Deadpool.
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The pair would get along fabulously, with Jeff taking it upon himself to lift the spirits of Deadpool and his other friends (in one such instance, Jeff brings Deadpool to a costume shop and pushes him to try on a Gwenpool costume…don’t ask). Jeff would also find love with an electrically charged kaiju named Smash Smash, although the relationship would end after Smash Smash ate Jeff (don’t worry, he ate his way out again). Later, Jeff accompanies Deadpool to the island of Krakoa to visitthe X-Men, who make it clear they are not accepting visitors. In return, Deadpool threatens to take a sacred Krakoa flower, resulting in a battle between Deadpool and the band of mutants. Of course, Jeff has Wade’s back and manages to seize a flower during the melee, giving it to Deadpool once things settle down. Then, during a battle with evil space godKnull, God of the Symbiotes, Jeff is venomized after taking a bite of the villain, turning the adorable and cute Jeff into a meanie pants, leading Jeff to bite a chunk out of Deadpool’s arm. Thankfully, Deadpool and crew blasted the symbiote out using music, turning Jeff “Bach” to normal. Jeff eventually makes his way into the arms ofKate Bishopandreunites with Gwen, who takes care of Jeff alongside Kate in the second season of Marvel Comics’s Infinity Comics digital seriesIt’s Jeff!
Enough Already, Bring Jeff the Land Shark to the MCU
Sure, he may have eaten Captain America’s shield once, but Jeff the Land Shark is pretty damn cute. Even the White Queen herself, Emma Frost, has admitted a fondness for Jeff (as a “remarkable handbag,” but it still counts). But when called for, Jeff can be useful and vicious, which Storm finds out after being bitten on her face. He’s appeared in cameos and as a supporting character across other Marvel series. Characters in Marvel Comics are often seen with Jeff the Land Shark merchandise, and he scored his own series, the aforementionedIt’s Jeff!Off the printed page, he’s been proclaimed outright asMarvel’s cutest character(one could argueDogpoolfits that description, but let’s be honest - that’s one fugly beast).
To be fair, Jeff isn’t totally unique to the entertainment world.Saturday Night Liveinitiated the land shark idea with theirclassic recurring skitabout a deceptive land shark looking for victims in the show’s riff onJaws. The 90s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle ripoffStreet Sharksfollowed a group of half-man/half-sharks as they fight crime. Then there’s King Shark, the DC supervillain who debuted in 1994 and exploded in popularity following his scene-stealing debut inThe Suicide Squadand appearances onHarley QuinnandSuicide Squad Isekai. And if a big, lovable lug of a man-shark like King Shark can make it, then surely Jeff the Land Shark can. So make it happen, MCU.Cosmo the Spacedogcould use the company.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Wolverine joins the “merc with a mouth” in the third installment of the Deadpool film franchise.
It’s Jeff!is available to read on Marvel Unlimited andDeadpool & Wolverineis now playing in theaters. Click below for showtimes.
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