I am new big game and want to get set up to catch a marlin.  the odd Tuna would be great too.  What do i get?  Penn?  Shimano?  Should I stear clear of Tica?

GO penn mean last a life time 

Shimano Tiagra's.  The TLD50 will do the job too.  Before I had my full compliment of Tiagra's mine accounted for two marlin as you will find that the marlin will take the lure on the cheapest set of gear every time

I picked the Daiwa SLT 50W over the Tiagra because it has a dual disc drag system.

For someone who is likely to catch the occasional large fish rather than many per season, a Penn or Shimano 50W off trade me would be an economical and sensible choice. I run 7 Penn and 4 shimano game sets between 30w and 80w. I prefer the shimanos as they need a little less maintenance and I feel the drags are slightly superior. An occasional  user would never know the difference. I can't comment on the Daiwa which might be fine, but regarding the other 'cheap' brands, ask yourself if you want to lose what might be the only marlin you ever hook because you bought a cheap reel. Add up the many 1000's of $'s you will possibly invest in time and fuel etc to hook that marlin, and going cheap on the reel is just silly. Second hand quality before cheap new bling every time if you are on a budget.

Alutecnos 50W 2sp - beautiful, quality reel, machined to very high standard, much better anodising than shimano, infinite antireverse, fantastic drag, runs silent....no annoying clicking sound when cranking, larger capacity than other 50W reels

The alutechnos are certainly beautiful reels. I have an older 50/80 version, single speed, and it is just a gorgeous reel to use.
Personally, I would forget about the 2 speed thing too, you are not likely to ever need it, at least, I never have. The only truly easy and flawless 2 speed system I have ever used, and used regularly, is that of the Duel reels. Wind forward for hi speed, backwards for low speed, just so simple and quick, not shagging around trying to find buttons to push etc.
But that is just me. I am sure others use the low gears all the time, me I just crank a little harder on the high speed, hoping thereby to get or keep the fishes head turned.

So, I reckon an ideal starting gold reel would be a single speed 50W. Trouble is, that is probably only about $20 less than the much more numerous 2 speeds these days.

cheers,
Stu.

Buy a Shimano and you won't regret it but agree the Duel is way better, but dearer and higher maintenance (think Ferrari and Toyota). I have a single and a 2 speed.