I get asked a lot about character creation — and though I have had a hand in creating a ton of characters so far — and some surprisingly popular Marvel characters like Star, Lauri-ell, Xandra, Fuse & Alloy — none of them have even come close to the popularity of…JEFF THE LANDSHARK!
Jeff is the cutest, sweetest boy! Makes total sense he was inspired by Clive and Monach.
Marvel needs to get on a Jeff plushie STAT.
I have to say, you have created some of the BEST original characters and those aren't always an easy sell in comics. Lavish was a perfect and fascinating villain. Xandra was the most adorable ever. And Lauri-el is just a great personality that really stands out among other female characters. I love that she's a big lady who is strong, but earnest and kind and so super literal that she's hilarious. Lucy is quickly growing on me too.
Thank you so much. Man, I would have loved to have gotten more to do with Lavish. Because it was a mystery story we didn't get to delve into her enough as a character but I think she has so much potential. I was super excited to see Xandra picked up and used (even if just a little) in the Krakoa era X-Men stuff. Lauri-ell is hard to beat though tbh. ;D
I love Jeff. The Deadpool comic where he crashes Krakoa and we have a bit of Jeff vs the X-Men is one of my favorite comics of all time. Deadpool and Jeff meeting Emma.. and suddenly Jeff is sitting on Emma's lap getting pets? PRICELESS. And Storm "See? He's a very bad shark, Hisako" has to be one of the most epic lines in a comic ever. Poor Storm is not a Jeff fan. Magik OTH is a Jeff fan. Magik probably ports in and takes Jeff out for treats and pets.
A post that features cutest boy Jeff, Clive and the Monarch… now this is the content I was waiting for. I am a proud owner of that Gurihiru print with Jeff. A good friend of mine got it for me all the way from Japan. It’s now displayed proudly with my 1000 Kamala Khan fan art.
I have been pushing It’s Jeff to everyone I know. I tell people it’s good for their soul and as of now everyone agrees. Also It’s Jeff D+ show when?!?
Haha! Would love there to be a show, but probably premature, let's get some Jeff plush and a Jeff Funko first! Also lunchboxes and t-shirts and EVERYTHING. ;D
Thanks for sharing Jeff with people, means a lot.
Also I am super jealous you have that print! Is it really big? In my imagination it's really big. lol
I want to work at Marvel as a writer and an intern and get involved in the comic writing and creative process. How do I get started in this business, especially in a company like Marvel?
Hi Gabriel. I'm not sure I'm the best person to help you. I did not do an internship, nor do I know if they are common these days at Marvel - especially with less work force in the office since the pandemic. The way I broke in - and the way I suggest everyone try to break in - is by writing (drawing, whatever) creator-owned work and getting it published - by a smaller publisher, or self-publishing via Kickstarter (etc.), or even just publishing on the web. If you do enough good work people eventually begin to notice and one thing leads to another...and eventually you're having a conversation with big publishers about pitching stories for their characters, or getting tapped to co-write something, etc. Best of luck to you!
I know it's tough to juggle it, but if you really have your sights set on Marvel/DC, you should read what you can and definitely jot down story ideas you have - WHILE creating your own stuff to help make your name - and that way once you make some noise and they come knocking, you'll have lots of ideas ready to turn into something real. Everyone enters in slightly different ways. While I had a Hawkeye pitch ready to go (and that eventually was greenlit), that wasn't the first stuff I did - first it was a co-write on Captain Marvel and then later I did a pitch for them that didn't go through, and then I got put on A-Force, and eventually Hawkeye happened. Do whatever you can BEFORE anything happens so that you're ready when it starts to happen. And good luck!
Jeff is the cutest, sweetest boy! Makes total sense he was inspired by Clive and Monach.
Marvel needs to get on a Jeff plushie STAT.
I have to say, you have created some of the BEST original characters and those aren't always an easy sell in comics. Lavish was a perfect and fascinating villain. Xandra was the most adorable ever. And Lauri-el is just a great personality that really stands out among other female characters. I love that she's a big lady who is strong, but earnest and kind and so super literal that she's hilarious. Lucy is quickly growing on me too.
I know, the world needs JEFF PLUSHIE!
Thank you so much. Man, I would have loved to have gotten more to do with Lavish. Because it was a mystery story we didn't get to delve into her enough as a character but I think she has so much potential. I was super excited to see Xandra picked up and used (even if just a little) in the Krakoa era X-Men stuff. Lauri-ell is hard to beat though tbh. ;D
We all love Jeff! Anyone who does not is a monster or a Gail Simone fan. *Shakes fost at King Shark"
Hahaha
I love Jeff. The Deadpool comic where he crashes Krakoa and we have a bit of Jeff vs the X-Men is one of my favorite comics of all time. Deadpool and Jeff meeting Emma.. and suddenly Jeff is sitting on Emma's lap getting pets? PRICELESS. And Storm "See? He's a very bad shark, Hisako" has to be one of the most epic lines in a comic ever. Poor Storm is not a Jeff fan. Magik OTH is a Jeff fan. Magik probably ports in and takes Jeff out for treats and pets.
Thanks, Ted! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
I hope you know about It's Jeff (currently on Marvel Unlimited -- and a print edition releasing in late March 2023!) <3
Absolutely! I've already got all the covers of It's Jeff pre-ordered from my comic shop! ;-)
Awesome. Thanks, Ted!
I am here to lodge a complaint about Jeff. Issue 8 of It’s Jeff has left me in tears. 🥺
That is all.
Yeah, that one was definitely aimed directly at the heart!
A post that features cutest boy Jeff, Clive and the Monarch… now this is the content I was waiting for. I am a proud owner of that Gurihiru print with Jeff. A good friend of mine got it for me all the way from Japan. It’s now displayed proudly with my 1000 Kamala Khan fan art.
I have been pushing It’s Jeff to everyone I know. I tell people it’s good for their soul and as of now everyone agrees. Also It’s Jeff D+ show when?!?
Haha! Would love there to be a show, but probably premature, let's get some Jeff plush and a Jeff Funko first! Also lunchboxes and t-shirts and EVERYTHING. ;D
Thanks for sharing Jeff with people, means a lot.
Also I am super jealous you have that print! Is it really big? In my imagination it's really big. lol
It’s 11x17. Printed on super thick card stock. And yes to ALL Jeff merch.
That's awesome. <3
This was awesome!! Love the insight and the evolution of round boi Jeff! Thanks for doing this Kelly - great read!
Thanks! This was a fun one.
Though pulling all those images is surprisingly time consuming!
I want to work at Marvel as a writer and an intern and get involved in the comic writing and creative process. How do I get started in this business, especially in a company like Marvel?
Hi Gabriel. I'm not sure I'm the best person to help you. I did not do an internship, nor do I know if they are common these days at Marvel - especially with less work force in the office since the pandemic. The way I broke in - and the way I suggest everyone try to break in - is by writing (drawing, whatever) creator-owned work and getting it published - by a smaller publisher, or self-publishing via Kickstarter (etc.), or even just publishing on the web. If you do enough good work people eventually begin to notice and one thing leads to another...and eventually you're having a conversation with big publishers about pitching stories for their characters, or getting tapped to co-write something, etc. Best of luck to you!
Thank you so much for the advice! I need to figure out my creative pitch. I have something but it’s still in prototype.
I do wanna work for comics though. Any way I can. Whether it’s podcasting, publishing, or editing.
I know it's tough to juggle it, but if you really have your sights set on Marvel/DC, you should read what you can and definitely jot down story ideas you have - WHILE creating your own stuff to help make your name - and that way once you make some noise and they come knocking, you'll have lots of ideas ready to turn into something real. Everyone enters in slightly different ways. While I had a Hawkeye pitch ready to go (and that eventually was greenlit), that wasn't the first stuff I did - first it was a co-write on Captain Marvel and then later I did a pitch for them that didn't go through, and then I got put on A-Force, and eventually Hawkeye happened. Do whatever you can BEFORE anything happens so that you're ready when it starts to happen. And good luck!