Comics are one of those mediums where every time you think you've fully caught up with stuff or have a good handle on things something new comes along, such as Marvel introducing new characters at an alarming rate sometimes. It can be hard to know which new character to keep an eye on, which one is going to end up becoming a mainstay, and which will fade into obscurity. However, I think most people knew that Jeff, Gwenpool's adorable land shark pet, would be a hit as soon as they laid eyes on him. I mean, how could people not fall in love with him?
The stories gathered in this new collection are wonderfully told little tales, often told with no dialogue, with the occasional character shouting the name Jeff, and use its art to tell the stories. The stories are low stakes, and are designed just to have a bit of fun with the character. One story sees him with an injured tail that he keeps trying to chew, so he gets a cone of shame. Another sees him wanting to dress up for Halloween, so he's trying on different pet costumes to find the one just right for him.
The art, by Gurihiru, fits the tone perfectly, and Jeff looks absolutely adorable throughout. This is a comic kids of any age can pick up and enjoy, and the art has a storybook quality to it that I really enjoy. Jeff is wonderfully round a squishy looking, and the book manages to convey a surprising amount of emotions on this tiny shark's face. It's the kind of art that just brings a smile to your face, and sometimes that's just what you need.
There's a decent feeling of fun reading these stories, and it's nice to not have to read anything, to just let the artwork tell the story, and to see a lighter, softer side of a universe so often filled with violence and evil.
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