Marco (comics)

Marco is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He is a martial artist created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Denys Cowan as a supporting character to The Question, and he first appeared in The Question Quarterly #2 (1991). Marco's name is a pun, a reference to the question mark.

Fictional character biography

Born in Brazil, Marco learned English from his father, an American who had fled to Brazil after killing somebody in New York City. Marco was abandoned by his father (who was apparently murdered soon after) at age eight. The best martial artist in Brazil and a master of Capoeira, Marco defeated every fighter he could locate in his homeland. Marco went searching for better fighters, only to be soundly defeated by Lady Shiva. After Shiva complemented him on his skill, Marco asked for a rematch. Shiva told Marco that he would have to earn that by defeating a fighter that was better than him. Shiva then told Marco about Richard Dragon, possibly the best fighter in the world, who had recently retired. When Marco asked if Richard had taught any students, Shiva told him about The Question, Vic Sage, who had learned from Richard. Shiva agreed to fight Marco again if he defeated Sage first.

Marco possesses highly unusual religious beliefs based around his obsession with martial arts. He prayed to "Saint Bruce" (who Marco claims is the "Patron Saint of Martial Arts") to deliver Sage to him. Sage did in fact visit Brazil with Jackie, the sick child of his old lover Myra. After a confrontation with drug dealers, Jackie's condition worsened, and hastened to get back to Hub City (the dismal city that Sage had unsuccessfully tried to save as The Question, and where Myra was now Mayor). Along the way Sage was wounded, and encountered Marco. Initially unimpressed with Sage's fighting skills, but wanting him alive and at full strength for their fight, Marco helped bring Jackie back to Hub City. Marco went so far as to work alongside Sage in an attempt to defeat a gang of insane drug-crazed killers that had taken over the Hub City hospital. Despite their efforts, Jackie died shortly after being reunited with her mother.

Even though both fighters had been injured at this point, Marco insisted that Sage reward his help by fighting without holding back. Sage agreed, however their fight ended indecisively. For the rest of The Question Quarterly, Marco worked alongside Sage and Myra.