Marty was 4 when his parents were killed in a car accident, it was left to an old family friend, Amara Jacobs to raise him. He knew early on that "mom" was different when she would teach him/speak to him in different languages. She told him fantastic stories of far away places in times long past, fueling his imagination and love of history.
When he was ten years old Amara was challenged by another Immortal. While she faught a man named Charlie Williams introduced himself to Marty, telling him of Immortals and Watchers. Over the years Charlie (who was Amara's watcher) would occasionally talk to the boy and teach him about the Watchers, hoping to one day recruit him.
Marty attended Boston College, graduating with a double major in History and Psychology and a Minor in Geography. He then decided to take a few years off before going to grad school in order to save money. With Amara's help he opened a small cafe. Life was calm and enjoyable until the superflu hit. As June dragged on fewer and fewer people showed up in the cafe (both patrons and workers). The final straw came when Marty's long time friend Jack died. He spiraled into a depression and sat around in an incoherent daze until his mother, Amara found him. Slowly he regained his wits and he now has taken on the task of being her Watcher as well as the task of helping to rebuild humanity.
