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Limbo (DC Comics)
Encyclopedia
Limbo refers to a fictional location in books published by DC Comics
. Limbo first appeared in Ambush Bug
(vol. 1) #3 (August 1985), and was created by Keith Giffen
.
(vol. 1) #3, Jonni DC mentions removing Wonder Tot from DC continuity having "dumped her in Limbo." Ambush Bug later returns to Limbo in Son of Ambush Bug #6.
reintroduces Limbo, a dimension inhabited by old characters seemingly abandoned or forgotten by their publishers. The comic depicted such characters as the Inferior Five
, Mr. Freeze
, and the Gay Ghost
(who expressed a desire not to be revived). This comic was published in the wake of DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths
, in which many historic comics were removed from continuity
. This "comic book limbo" is a metafiction
, based on the notion that any character who has not been published recently can be said to reside in "comic book limbo".
; Walker Gabriel, the second Chronos
, who seldom appeared after the end of his own miniseries; Hardhat, a villain who is the only surviving member of the Demolition Team
after the OMAC Project
crossover; and Ace the Bat-Hound
, who disappeared after the events of No Man's Land. Also seen in the background is Keith Giffen
's Heckler
, and former Blood Pack member Nightblade. In both Animal Man and Superman Beyond, Limbo is shown to contain an archway bearing the inscription "Facilis Discenus Averno" ("the road to Hell is easy").
In the Reign in Hell mini-series, Limbo is referred to as closely adjoining Purgatory
, one of the Infernal Provinces of Hell
, but it is uncertain if the mythological Limbo is identical with "Comic Book Limbo".
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. Limbo first appeared in Ambush Bug
Ambush Bug
Ambush Bug is a fictional character who has appeared in several comic books published by DC Comics.His real name is supposedly Irwin Schwab, but he has mental problems that prevent him from truly understanding reality around him, so even his true identity might be no more than a delusion on his part...
(vol. 1) #3 (August 1985), and was created by Keith Giffen
Keith Giffen
Keith Ian Giffen is an American comic book illustrator and writer.-Biography:Giffen was born in Queens, New York City....
.
History
In Ambush BugAmbush Bug
Ambush Bug is a fictional character who has appeared in several comic books published by DC Comics.His real name is supposedly Irwin Schwab, but he has mental problems that prevent him from truly understanding reality around him, so even his true identity might be no more than a delusion on his part...
(vol. 1) #3, Jonni DC mentions removing Wonder Tot from DC continuity having "dumped her in Limbo." Ambush Bug later returns to Limbo in Son of Ambush Bug #6.
Animal Man
In Animal Man #25 (July 1990), Grant MorrisonGrant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
reintroduces Limbo, a dimension inhabited by old characters seemingly abandoned or forgotten by their publishers. The comic depicted such characters as the Inferior Five
Inferior Five
The Inferior Five are a parody superhero team that premiered in the DC Comics title Showcase #62 . Created by E. Nelson Bridwell and Joe Orlando and Mike Esposito , the group was intended as a parody not only of the Fantastic Four, but of all the superhero teams whose members had such great...
, Mr. Freeze
Mr. Freeze
Mr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 ....
, and the Gay Ghost
Gay Ghost
The Gay Ghost is a fictional superhero in the DC Comics universe, whose first appearance was in Sensation Comics #1 , published by one DC's predecessor companies, All-American Publications...
(who expressed a desire not to be revived). This comic was published in the wake of DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
, in which many historic comics were removed from continuity
Continuity (fiction)
In fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer over some period of time...
. This "comic book limbo" is a metafiction
Metafiction
Metafiction, also known as Romantic irony in the context of Romantic works of literature, is a type of fiction that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, exposing the fictional illusion...
, based on the notion that any character who has not been published recently can be said to reside in "comic book limbo".
Final Crisis
Limbo reappeared decades later in Final Crisis: Superman Beyond, also by Morrison, as the world on the edge of the multiverse past the Graveyard Universe of Earth-51. Merryman of the Inferior Five was still resident, and described himself as the "King of Limbo". In Superman Beyond, Limbo is shown to contain "the Library of Limbo", with only one book in it. That book was unreadable because it contains an infinite number of pages, all occupying the same space. Inhabitants of this Limbo include Merryman; various members of Hero HotlineHero Hotline
Hero Hotline is a fictional DC Comics corporate superteam introduced in Action Comics Weekly #637, January . They were created by Bob Rozakis and Stephen DeStefano.-History:...
; Walker Gabriel, the second Chronos
Chronos (comics)
Chronos is the name of several fictional characters of DC Comics, both supervillains who take their name from the Greek personification of Time and have the ability of time travel and can manipulate history.-David Clinton:...
, who seldom appeared after the end of his own miniseries; Hardhat, a villain who is the only surviving member of the Demolition Team
Demolition Team
The Demolition Team are fictional characters, a team of comic book mercenaries in the DC Comics universe. They first appeared in Green Lantern #176 and were created by Len Wein and Dave Gibbons.-Fictional character history:...
after the OMAC Project
The OMAC Project
The OMAC Project is a six issue American comic book limited series written by Greg Rucka with art by Jesus Saiz and published by DC Comics in 2005.-Overview:...
crossover; and Ace the Bat-Hound
Ace the Bat-Hound
The comic book character Ace the Bat-Hound was the canine crime-fighting partner of Batman and Robin in DC Comics of the 1950s and 1960s. Ace debuted in Batman #92...
, who disappeared after the events of No Man's Land. Also seen in the background is Keith Giffen
Keith Giffen
Keith Ian Giffen is an American comic book illustrator and writer.-Biography:Giffen was born in Queens, New York City....
's Heckler
Heckler (comics)
The Heckler is a fictional character, a superhero parody published by DC Comics'. He first appeared in The Heckler #1 , an on-going series that lasted six issues, ending with The Heckler #6 ....
, and former Blood Pack member Nightblade. In both Animal Man and Superman Beyond, Limbo is shown to contain an archway bearing the inscription "Facilis Discenus Averno" ("the road to Hell is easy").
In the Reign in Hell mini-series, Limbo is referred to as closely adjoining Purgatory
Purgatory
Purgatory is the condition or process of purification or temporary punishment in which, it is believed, the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for Heaven...
, one of the Infernal Provinces of Hell
Hell (DC Comics)
Hell is a fictional location, an infernal underworld utilized in titles published by DC Comics. It is the locational antithesis of the Silver City. The DC Comics location known as Hell is based heavily on its depiction in Judeo-Christian mythology...
, but it is uncertain if the mythological Limbo is identical with "Comic Book Limbo".