Jeff the Land Shark Creator Kelly Thompson Introduces Ken the Septapus for 'Jeff Week'

Jeff the Land Shark's trip to the amusement park may just change his life forever. For this year's JEFF WEEK INFINITY COMIC (2025) by Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru, Jeff makes a new frenemy in Ken the Septapus, a fellow misfit who disrupts Jeff's relaxing day out. Despite their initial conflict, the two critters soon find themselves facing a common enemy that puts them in "real danger," which sends them on a "dramatic" adventure together—and leads them to make some important discoveries about each another.

Speaking to Marvel.com, Thompson previewed what's in store for this year's extra adorable JEFF WEEK romp. She explained some of the unique challenges Ken will pose for Jeff, while promising a lot of Jeff's favorite activity: eating! She also praised artist Gurihiru's storytelling instincts, teased Jeff's next Halloween-themed story arc, and so much more.

MARVEL.COM: For the uninitiated, how would you describe JEFF WEEK in your own words?

KELLY THOMPSON: I think the simplest answer is that it's an extended IT'S JEFF story that is able to dig a little bit deeper into one narrative, and sometimes they're themed.

MARVEL.COM: Set the stage for us: what is Jeff up to when JEFF WEEK picks up?

KELLY THOMPSON: This Jeff Week finds Jeff enjoying his downtime at the amusement park on the pier. There is obviously a lot of eating and/or attempts at eating, but thanks to a new element, things go off the rails quite quickly and adorably.

MARVEL.COM: Introduce us to Ken. What do we need to know about Jeff’s new pal?

KELLY THOMPSON: I confess I was resistant to creating a cute little Jeff friend, but I forgot how delightful it would be to have Gurihiru cut loose on designing a cute friend. Suffice to say, I was not disappointed! Isn't he the cutest thing ever? I'm not sure what else I can say except that I think he finds Jeff in part because he's a bit of misfit, like Jeff. I do love a "misfits finding each other" narrative.

MARVEL.COM: Tell me a little more about working with Gurihiru, who have been working alongside you since the very first issue of IT’S JEFF. What do they bring to the character and to JEFF WEEK in particular?

KELLY THOMPSON: They are pure delight. I have been incredibly lucky with my collaborators in comics, but it's easy to say that working with Gurihiru brings me some of the most joy of all my collaborations. It probably helps that we typically get to tackle lighter, happier, cuter, funnier stories than your average comic, but a lot of that magic is just the joy of working with Gurihiru. They're phenomenal storytellers and they have terrific (and adorable) instincts.

MARVEL.COM: What kind of challenges will Jeff face during JEFF WEEK? Any villains he might run into along the way?

KELLY THOMPSON: Jeff and Ken definitely encounter some real danger in this story, but it's more focused on their relationship—which has a pretty interesting and dramatic arc in a fairly short time.

MARVEL.COM: What are you most excited for readers to see in JEFF WEEK?

KELLY THOMPSON: Well, there's no denying the star of this one—as much as Jeff might not want it to be true—is Ken. But Jeff somehow always manages to rise to the top, doesn't he?

MARVEL.COM: What’s next for you and Jeff after JEFF WEEK wraps up?

KELLY THOMPSON: Well, I guess this is the time to tease that Gurihiru and I are doing another JEFF WEEK… although I guess this is more "Jeff Month." This one—quite appropriate for Jeff, who loves to dress up—is Halloween themed. Expect to see Ken appear again and plenty of hijinks (and a few costumes, too, of course)! I hope we'll also be doing IT'S JEFF Season 5 soon, too.

MARVEL.COM: What has been the most surprising part of your journey with Jeff so far?

KELLY THOMPSON: Well, in the last year, Jeff's insane surge in popularity has been a straight-up surreal to experience, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't think Jeff was special from the very beginning. I didn't know if he could ever take off in the market and climate of monthly comics, but I did think he could be beloved and a wonderful tool on the quest toward getting kids reading. Because he doesn't speak, he's perfect in that respect for young readers. If Jeff can help kids fall in love with comics, then that feels like a pure win to me.

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