Jack Marston is the son of Abigail & John Marston and is featured in both Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption II. Jack was born into the gang and came to know the members as his extended family. Despite his parents' wish to leave that life of crime behind, Jack has had the unfortunate luck of continuously running into trouble.
Jack is one of the only characters the player has the chance to watch grow up. Jack's life can be seen from when he was a child to when he became a young adult. Despite Jack's life being seen in different stages, there is still a lot the player can discover about him.
10 Real Name Is John Marston
It might have been expected, but Jack's real name is John Marston Jr. The use of the nickname is most likely to differentiate between the father and son. Even after his father's death, Jack keeps using the nickname.
Jack is referred by this name for most of his life, which is most likely why he does not start going by John. It might also be a way to remember the people he once loved.
9 John Might Not Be His Father
It is known that Abigail came into the gang and was a prostitute, sleeping with various members of the gang. She fell in love with John, leaving that life behind and giving birth to Jack. However, John left the gang for a year as he was unsure if Jack was truly his son.
While playing as Arthur in Red Dead Redemption II, the player can antagonize Jack by saying he looks like a Williamson or an Escuella. While Arthur is most likely joking, he might also know something the player does not.
8 Met Edgar Ross Twice
Jack meets Edgar twice in his life – once while fishing with Arthur in 1899 and when Jack tracks down Edgar for revenge in 1914. The second time, Jack challenges Edgar to a duel, killing the man.
Jack wins, bringing an end to Edgar's life. The way Jack meets Edgar both times is similar, with Edgar meeting Jack in 1899 as Jack fishes and in 1914 as Edgar is fishing. It should be noted, Edgar is honorable when it comes to the duel, as he drops his rifle to duel with a pistol.
7 Most Likely Turned To Crime
After the death of his father due to the government, Jack goes on to hunt down Edgar Ross, killing the man in a duel. While the player knows it was well earned, the authorities will not take it well that an ex-BOI agent was killed.
While the player controls Jack after the game ends, it is unknown what exactly he does with his life. It would be interesting to see a game or DLC set after these events. His parents wanted him to leave a life of crime behind, so maybe he did. With the game ending in 1914, there are many options for Jack, such as fighting in WWI or being one of the last outlaws.
6 Depressed And Lonely As Adult
It should be expected, but Jack is depressed when the player takes control of him. With his parents dead, the gang he once loved dead or gone, and a hatred for the government – all before he turned 20 – there are valid reasons for Jack to feel depressed.
Jack can be heard mentioning John and his travels, such as how John met Landon Ricketts, showing he misses his parents and respects what they have done. Players can only hope Jack is able to turn his life around and leave a life of crime behind.
5 Appears In 4 Time Periods
Jack is one of the few characters to appear in 4 different time periods. Jack appears in 1899, 1907, 1911, and 1914, only having a major appearance change in 1914. In 1914, Jack takes on an appearance that looks very similar to his father.
It's worth noting how Jack grows during the series, as he can be seen as a child and a young adult. It is also interesting to see how his relationship changes with his parents, going from a loving child to an adult looking for revenge.
4 Learned To Hunt At 16
John taught Jack how to hunt towards the end of Red Dead Redemption. This came just in time as the player takes control of Jack not soon after this mission. This lesson was also troubling, as Jack went to hunt a bear to prove himself to his father.
John finds Jack and kills the bear, telling his son to not risk his life. Interestingly, when Jack kills a bear, he says 'Look at me now, dad'.
3 Helped Defend Beecher's Hope
During the end of Red Dead Redemption, the army attacks the Marston ranch. It should be noted, Jack takes part in defending the home from the army. At the age of 16, Jack can possibly kill his first person.
Jack watches as Uncle is killed and returns to the ranch to find his father dead. Luckily, Jack and Abigail get away and survive the attack. Jack most likely made his family proud by defending the land.
2 Became A Zombie
In the Undead Nightmare DLC for the first game, Jack is turned into a zombie. Uncle turns into a zombie and bites Abigail & Jack, infecting the both. John could not bring himself to kill them, instead tying them up while looking for a cure.
John ends up finding the cure, turning Jack and Abigail back into humans. The family then lives happily together, until John's death after the DLC is finished.
1 May Have Written A Book
In Grand Theft Auto V, the player can find a book in their home titled 'Red Dead,' written by a J. Marston. While the first name isn't known, it is more than likely Jack would have been the author of this book. It is interesting to think Jack may have written a book about his father or the gang he was part of.
It would also mean that Jack achieved his dream of becoming an author. While it might be an Easter Egg, it is nice to think Jack may have written a book and the story of the Van Der Linde gang was not lost to time.