X-Men Unlimited Issue 75: Unbreakable Review:

Cocreated by Chris Claremont and artist Paul Simon in 1983, the Morlocks were a group of mutants who lived in the underground tunnels of the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Callisto was their official leader and drew the attention of the X-Men when she kidnapped Warren Worthington III, codename Archangel. During the 60^th anniversary of the X-Men and the 40^th of the Morlocks, in ‘X-Men Unlimited’ Issue 75 features Marrow.

Now living in Madripoor, Marrow has had an interwoven history with the X-Men. As a child she was saved by Gambit (before he became an official X-Man) from the Marauders who attempted to exterminate the Morlocks. Through retcon it was found out that the Morlocks were a creation of Dark Beast from the Age of Apocalypse dimension based on the journals of Mister Sinister from his home-world. When Sinister from Earth 616 found out, he had the Marauders take out all the Morlocks. Thought to be dead, instead they were saved by Mikhail Rasputin, Callisto’s lover and Peter/Colossus’ brother. However, it was not salvation. Rather, it was a place where only the strongest survived. When Marrow became of age, she was forced to go up the hill where the trial meant to kill everyone and make it to the top. She prevailed and became part of Rasputin’s terrorist group Gene Nation. With Krakoa being recognized as a sovereign nation of mutants, the Morlocks now have choices as to where they live. Several have settled in Madripoor where there is now a new threat. 

Marrow being featured in this issue spotlights the interconnectedness of the X-Men’s world building. Writer Zac Thompson reveals Marrow’s emotional and psychological state, while artist Phillip Sevy, alongside colorist Ceci DeLaCruz and letterer VC’s Joe Sabino reflects the fear and anger in the panels. Marrow recollects while in the midst of a fight that one of her heart’s was once pulled out, though she doesn’t mention that it was Storm of the X-Men. Marrow’s modified immortality gives her a sense of invincibleness. Still in this confrontation with an unknown enemy there is a mixture of rage and terror that has built up within her. Just who is this enemy that can bring this out of Marrow? We do know why the Morlocks are targeted. Throughout their history they have been marginalized, maligned and forgotten. When Storm defeats Callisto for leadership of the Morlocks she still doesn’t take responsibility in the sense of caring for these people who hide away from society. In leaving Callisto as a de facto leader, it only reinforced how surface dwellers, including other mutants create a hierarchy. While everyone is welcome to Krakoa and their sins are forgiven (except a few including Sabretooth who are in a mental/psychological prison) there are still few Morlocks who actually reside on Krakoa. Living in Madripoor gives Marrow the familiarity of home. In ‘Mutie Town’ Morlocks are perceived as societal throwaways. No one will miss them. That’s why Marrow goes after the Reavers who kidnapped Leech. If she doesn’t look out for her people, no one will.  

Subtitled ‘Unbreakable’ this issue feels like a spotlight created for mutants whose stories need to be told. The original X-Men co-created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, arguably describes these characters as ones who fight for equality, even those who fear and hate them. For the Morlocks, including Marrow who was cocreated by Jeph Loeb and David Brewer, they fight for themselves because they are all that they have.