Limbo (comics)
Limbo is a fictional dimension in the Marvel Comics universe whose physical laws are primarily magical, though laws of the ordinary universe (such as electromagnetism and gravity) normally apply within its bounds.
The name "Limbo" is a sobriquet. It is not the Catholic Limbo derived from Irish folklore, but a "pocket universe", whose physical and temporal scope are extremely limited compared to the universe that ordinary human beings inhabit. To those within it appears roughly analogous to a planet, with a solid surface at one earth gravity and a sky devoid of stars. It has an ecology composed primarily of demons of various sizes, strengths, and intellects. It is said that its ether is much thinner than that of the normal universe, allowing for a greater spectrum of magical powers and effects. All demons within it are magical creatures that possess spell making abilities to a greater or lesser degree.
Although Limbo has a linear history, time within it is not rigid. Many points in its past and future are connected through naturally occurring temporal rifts, and its present is relative to the individual. Its history can be changed by travel through these rifts, but for some reason this is rare.
Limbo is traditionally ruled by a supreme sorcerer, either a demonic native or an entity from another universe, often Earth's. Limbo's appearance and physical laws are highly variable, and determined by the power and personal taste of its ruler. It can take the form of an otherworldly paradise, or a rocky, sulfurous perdition. The demons of Limbo traditionally display an attitude of slavish loyalty to its sovereign, and act as his or her servants. They will even assume forms mandated by the sorcerer if he or she is sufficiently powerful. However, the longer limbo's ruler spends away from the dimension, the weaker that individual's mystical thrall over it becomes, and the more autonomously the demons begin to act. Left to their own devices they will plot to betray and conquer whomever holds the highest position. They will also attempt to invade other realities if not held in check.
Limbo generally has a morally and spiritually corrupting influence over its denizens. If human, a resident of the realm will slowly metamorphose into a demonic entity. This change enhances the magical powers of the individual at the cost of their soul. Persons of great moral courage and wisdom can stave off the change for decades, but it is considered inevitable. The transformation usually progresses in stages initiated by the evil acts Limbo demands for survival. Magic in limbo is fundamentally neutral. It is the social and political climate that leads to this process.
The reality of Limbo is generated by a single deposit of a magical metal called Promethium. In Limbo it takes the form of a giant animal heart, hidden in a cavern deep below its surface. Removal of the promethium to another dimension will cause Limbo to vanish. The heart of Limbo was once sought by the supervillain Doctor Doom as an inexhaustible energy source for his nation of Latveria.
Rulers of Limbo
The complete timeline of Limbo is unknown, but it has had several reigning sorcerers during its history with the Marvel Universe. These include:
- Belasco: Commonly referred to as The Demon Belasco, he was primarily human in appearance, and may have been human once. Though wicked as any demon, Belasco lacked the savagery common to Limbo natives.
- the mutant Illyana Nikolievna Rasputin: Also known as Magik. Rasputin was abducted by Belasco as a child and was raised by an alternate version of the X-Men trapped within Belasco's realm. Belasco employed her as an apprentice, and was eventually overthrown by her, but not before he forced her to kill the alternate X-Men living there. In time her mutant power of teleportation emerged, allowing her to leave, although she remained Limbo's ruler.
- the demons S'ym and N'astirh: Both Limbo natives, this pair exhibited exceptional intelligence and strength, far exceeding Limbo's diminutive average. S'ym was the most physically potent native of Limbo, while N'astirh was a powerful sorcerer. Both had been right-hand servants of Belasco and Magik, and seized power jointly when her hold had sufficiently weakened after her prolonged time on Earth. After tricking her into opening a permanent portal between Limbo and Earth they invaded, temporarily transforming New York City into a demonic mirror of their own world. N'astirh was killed when their invasion was repelled by the X-Men and other superheroes during the "Inferno" crossover.
- Doctor Doom ruled Limbo during his attempt to remove its heart.
Limbo was also briefly controlled by The Magus, an alien entity of vast but nonmagical power. To save her teammate Warlock, Magik stranded the Magus in Limbo, where she hoped her demon vassals would subdue him. Instead he expanded to fill the entire dimension and radically transformed its ecology within a few days. A sizable percentage of Limbo's demons were infected by the Magus with the Transmode Virus, a techno-organic pathogen that transmogrifies carbon-based organisms into living electronic machines. Although the details are unclear, it is assumed he killed a large number of them by draining them of life energy. He then escaped by unknown means, leaving roughly half the remaining demons shape-shifting, techno-organic beings like himself.
While most living beings are immobilized by the techno-organic transformation, Limbo's demons are apparently immune to that effect. The infection can be transmitted intentionally, but most chose not to pass it on, and the ratio of “natural” to transmuted demons remained relatively stable. For example, at the time of Magik's overthrow, S'ym was a techno-organic demon, whereas N'astirh was not.
The domination of Limbo by the Magus was purely physical. Apart from the infections, Limbo remained unperturbed. Control reverted to Magik when he vacated, then to Belasco when Magik was de-aged and N'astirh was killed during "Inferno". He retained power until recently, when he was overthrown by Amanda Sefton, who had obtained Magik's soulsword and was now calling herself Magik.