Marco (Animorphs)

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Marco is a fictional character from the sci-fi book series, Animorphs. His last name is never mentioned.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

[edit] Biography

Marco is an Animorph, often referred to as the comedian of the group. He coined the name "Animorphs." His methods can be ruthless, but he is good with strategy and security. He is slightly conceited and has dubbed himself the "cute" Animorph. He and Jake have been best friends since they were little.

Marco's dad is Peter, who lost interest in life for two years after the supposed death of Marco's Hispanic mother, Eva. In reality, she was infested by Visser One, and her death in a boating accident was faked as a way to get her off the planet. Throughout most of the series, Marco battles with himself about her fate -- should he kill her or try to set her free? -- and comes very close to killing her in many of the books, until he finally frees her in The Revelation. Marco's father was uninformed until that same book, when he is finally told the truth and is the first of the Animorphs' relatives to join the war effort.

Marco is initially reluctant to fight because his father would not be able to handle his death. He also argues that they are simply kids and that this is not their battle. When he coins the phrase "Animorphs," he describes the group as "kids with a death wish." However, he also has a strong sense of loyalty, and says that he will fight to free Jake's brother, Tom. He announces that he is quitting in #5, but when he sees his mother, he vows to continue on fighting until she is free.

Like Rachel, Marco has a bit of a dark side, which shows up in his (at times) very cold and ruthless schemes. Marco is often focused on the "big picture" (winning the war), sometimes at the cost of the little things (his mother, for example). He also struggles between the dream of his mother coming back alive and moving on. This conflict is revealed in The Proposal. He isn't entirely comfortable with this aspect of himself, but has embraced it. In #10: The Android, he develops a lust for gruesome revenge against the Yeerks, and admits to enjoying being violent (ie. he worries Ax when he tries to kill a beetle in spider morph), even though he constantly derides Rachel's violent habits.

Marco prides himself on an ability to see from A to Z - to chart a plan without thought for morals or values. This is not to say he is immoral, as he is able to factor in these values and alter the plan accordingly - but he does have the ability to see what needs to be done to achieve goals. In this way, he is extremely valuable strategically.

At the end of the series, Marco is one of the few Animorphs with a flourishing post-war life -- he becomes a celebrity, starring in TV shows, giving interviews, and becoming the unofficial spokesperson for the Animorphs. He deeply enjoys the playboy lifestyle.

Marco is also the only Animorph in the series without a main love interest, though not for lack of trying. It is hinted that he may have a bit of a crush on Rachel, and the two do date in an alternate reality in Megamorphs #4: Back to Before.

[edit] Family

Eva is Marco's mother and was host to Visser One, (Edriss Five-Six-Two) for a long time. Visser One had faked Eva's death in order to leave Earth; Marco did not discover she was still alive until years later. All that is known of Eva's backstory is that she is Hispanic and was born in another country.
Nora Robbinette is Marco's math teacher and step-mother. She has an incredibly annoying poodle named Euclid. In #45 she became an involuntary Controller.
Peter is Marco's father. He worked as a software enginner before Eva disappeared. For two years, Peter hung around the house, barely making ends meet. However, he did turn his life around, getting his old job back and marying Nora. When the Yeerks found about his Z-space research he barely escaped being infested and was later reunited with Eva. They lived together in the Hork-Bajir Valley with the other Hork-Bajir.