Jeffrey the Land Shark is one of the lesser-known characters in the ever-expanding Marvel Comics roster. Originally debuting as Gwenpool’s pet, Jeff got star treatment in the Infinity Comics on the Marvel Unlimited app. In this lighthearted format, Jeff got his chance to shine, starring in vignettes featuring his playful and innocent personality, away from the angst and drama from other Marvel stories.
A one-off compilation of the short stories from the Infinity Comics, It’s Jeff! #1 stars Marvel’s mischievous, pint-sized land shark. Written by Kelly Thompson and illustrated by artist Gurihiru, It’s Jeff! #1 follows the trials and tribulations of Jeff as he searches for food, attention, and all the things that make the life of a Land Shark all the better–much to the chagrin of Marvel’s heroes.
It’s Jeff! #1 is notable for its stories, or at least the way they are told. Kelly Thompson’s writing is notable in that there is no writing at all — the short parables in It’s Jeff #1 are told visually, in pantomime. The closest these stories come to having dialogue is the human characters’ word balloons, depicting pictures rather than words. This suits It’s Jeff! #1, which is primarily seen from the little land shark’s point of view. Her parables, depicting Jeff’s shenanigans, are all the stronger without any frivolous words. Artist Gurihiru’s visuals, no doubt directed by Thompson’s vision and narrative layout, give this issue a surprisingly strong voice.
The most notable vignettes play up Jeff’s shark-ness, with two of them referencing the infamous sequences of Jaws. One of which ending with Jeff in a dolphin costume. While the premises are simple — Jeff foiling a turkey dinner, attempting to swim in a public beach, getting a bath, doing laundry, baking cookies and even visiting Holland — they’re effective and most of all, funny. His interactions with the Marvel heroes — mainly Squirrel Girl, Spider-Man, Hawkeye, Captain America and even Deadpool — make his character all the more real.
There’s no major plot in It’s Jeff! #1; no deaths, drama, or underlying moral or political panic which is why it works so well. There is something to be said about a comic that exists just to be enjoyed, and It’s Jeff! #1 is just that. It’s almost a shame that It’s Jeff! #1 is a one-off, as the titular land shark would do well with more exposure for no other reason than because he’s just plain fun to watch. And also, because he’s just so adorable. Artist Gurihiru’s sweet art style, with chalky, thin pencil-like lines, soft colors and papery textures, given depth by gentle lighting and subtle black placement, is allowed to speak for itself, making It’s Jeff! #1 feel like a fulfilling and complete read.
Depicting cuteness comes with its own set of challenges, especially in a media landscape saturated with cute characters doing cute things, where being too deliberate about cuteness can result in the opposite effect. It’s Jeff! #1 and its titular hero avert this. By virtue of being a land shark as well as Gurihiro’s art style balancing being adorable with being somewhat grounded Jeff’s design ensures that he never reaches saccharine sweetness. He’s a quadruped, his body design is super-deformed, his mouth and teeth are large, his eyes small and his form and behavior a happy medium between puppy and child. This balance between sweetness, quirkiness and even a slight hint of scariness makes this character, and It’s Jeff! #1, such a treat.
While it doesn’t boast anything groundbreaking or deep, It’s Jeff! #1 is a welcome respite of aesthetically pleasing fun, sweetness and mischief, putting a spotlight on a minor character whose appeal cannot be understated.
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