"Getting Into The Characters Head Pt. 1 - Marrow"
by David (Rhyme)

Introduction:

This article begins a series of articles in which I'll study different characters. I'll point out some key issues related to them, try to determine what their daily life is like, and find out what characters interact best with them. I chose to start with Marrow because I can relate to her, she's a great characters, and she's relatively undeveloped, so there's lots of room to explore.

Marrow first appeared to us as an ugly, angry terrorist. This lead to people saying she doesn't belong with the X-Men. I happen to believe she does, and that the whole villain thing was just to cover up her feelings. To understand Marrow, you must understand a couple of things. She has low self-esteem, doesn't realize her true potential, she's has a horrible childhood, and she expected to not get far in life.

Key Issues For Marrow:

X-M #70-This was the beginning of the evolution of Marrow. It held the first sign that she really cares about others-she gave Cannonball one of her bones to help save Cyclops' life. I happen to think this symbolizes giving a part of herself for the dream.

X-M #72-Marrow and Wolverine go at it. The most important thing about this issue is that through Marrow's words, you realize her anger blinds her, although she's driven by it. You also realize she's just a just child forced to grow up too quickly, and she doesn't even understand her own people-the Morlocks.

X-M #74-Marrow runs to the sewers because of her fight with Wolverine. While she's there, she prays to Angel. This sheds a new light on Marrow. Angel represents all the great things in her world. So when she saves him, and he tells her she's beautiful, it means a lot to her. It may have been the best moment of her life.

X-M #78-We get a glimpse into Marrow's mind. This is shown through the Shadow King's words, "And Marrow--dear Sarah--don't you want to walk among the upworlders, as is your birthright...but pretty? Loved? Touched without pain...gazed at without pity or revulsion?"

X-M #79-This is like Marrow's night out. First, she confronts upworlders. But she's changing-she decides not to kill them. In fact, all she does is cut a lady's hair. She's running from the X-Men, but in the end, she and Storm make a truce. This issue sets up Marrow's future-she'll be staying with the X-Men. It also reveals that the Dark Beast has plans for her.

UXM #365-Many of you are probably staring at your computer screens shocked right now. You're probably saying, "What! That was the ruin of Marrow! She suddenly became all sugary sweet!" Yes, that's what I thought for a while. But look closer. Read over your issues containing Marrow. Is it just me, or does she tend to have mood swings? If you look closely, she does. Because she's a confused girl. She thought she wouldn't get far in life, but then the X-Men took her in and taught her she was special. So naturally, she's confused(plus...the spirit of Christmas even gets to Marrow.)

Marrow's Daily Life:

One of the things that's interesting to think about is what kind of music Marrow listens to. Marrow is a very angry person, as you think. Now...judging by her personality, I'd have to say she listens to bands like KoRn, Manson, Limp Bizkit, and the Deftones.

Marrow seems to spend the rest of her times carving angry sayings into walls with bones...what a life!

Characters That Work Well With Marrow:

Angel-just seeing them together in X-M #74, you know it's true. Marrow loved Angel from the moment she saw him during the Mutant Massacre.

Cannonball-There was definitely something between them. Unfortunately, that plot was dropped in X-M #79, when Cannonball left the X-Men.

Callisto-They have a great mother/daughter relationship, that has yet to be really explored.

Storm-Well, Storm did rip Marrow's heart out! That makes for some great tension between the two of them!

Gambit-Gambit led the Marauders into the Morlock tunnels, killing Marrow's race! Need I say more?

That's all for now, folks. Next month, I'll be talking about Cecilia Reyes! So bring your notepad!