Could Marshall have been Mr Brooks first victim?

Nice idea, and quite possible. But imho, just an idea; there is nothing to lead to that conclusion. Unless you take the stretch to say that Marshall was in fact one of his victims' name. If it's worth anything, I'll give you points for the thought though.
Personally, I see Marshall as a clever foreshadow. He doesn't appear in the cemetery. And as you had pointed out, he does have a rag around his neck. Perhaps Brooks had a plan the entire time.

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I don't see it. Marshall was Earl's alter ego. Another part of his psyche. I don't think a victim could become an intrinsic part of his personality.

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

I'd rather guess Marshall was either a troubled friend or brother or tormentor that died early in his childhood under some kind of traumatic circumstance. Or maybe he's just made up.

I kind of thought he was one of his first victims or even the first. I thought of him as his conscience, by the type of dialogue they have. At the end, I thought he could be his psychiatrist, maybe one a little bit crazy himself.

I believe what Mr. Brooks actually has is multiple personality disorder. Usually starts our as a child w an imaginary friend & grows into something more. If not that then some sort of schizophrenia. If you notice in the film, they laugh @ exactly the same time & the same way, he's a part of him.

On a sidenote: being that Jane is a psycho too, i wonder what her Marshall's personality is like... lol




Ya Bish....

Marshal is Mr. Brooks' imaginary friend he found in a book of children's stories when he was a child. "I made you my hero" he tells Marshall.

This is in a deleted scene on the DVD.