Otherplace

The Otherplace is a dimension that features in Marvel Comics.

History

The Otherplace

The New Mutants battle demons in Limbo. S'ym captures Illyana and takes her Soulsword, but she is able to teleport to Belasco's throne room. However, this was all a trick by the demon N'astirh who wanted her to do so as this opened a portal to Earth. This event then allowed the demons of limbo to rain down on Times Square on Earth. (New Mutants v1 #71)

In Limbo, Illyana sees everything going absolutely terribly and ultimately decides to truly assume her throne as the Darkchilde, ruler of Limbo. Rahne, however, refuses to accept this and runs off crying, followed by the other New Mutants. Rahne decides to use Limbo's stepping discs to pluck young Illyana from the timeline, preventing Illyana's future from occurring and stopping her from bringing Inferno to Earth. With the help of the other New Mutants, Rahne manages to grab young Illyana, but present Illyana arrives and slaps her younger self, blaming her inability to die on the world's current state. Rahne shouts that Illyana did not have to do what she's doing, that she has a choice to stop Inferno. Illyana thinks for a moment, stating that N'astirh claimed that there were no right choices in Limbo, but decides that she trusts Rahne. (New Mutants v1 #73)

Overview

According to some accounts, Limbo was a dimension of darkness similar to the Abyss that spawned the symbiotes, and was thus capable of greatly empowering them. (Thor v6 #28)

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 Otherplace 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.

Otherplace generally has a morally and spiritually corrupting influence over its denizens. If human, a resident of the realm slowly metamorphoses 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. (Excalibur v1 #37)

Limbo was 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 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 whoever holds the highest position. They will also attempt to invade other realities if not held in check. (New Mutants v1 #72)

Inhabitants

• Belasco :
• S'ym :
• Dessy : Despair
• N'astirh :
• Illyana Nikolievna Rasputin :
• Madelyne Pryor :
• Ben Reilly :

Notes

• The Otherplace was created by Chris Claremont and Brent Anderson where it made its first appearance in Uncanny X-Men v1 #160 (August, 1982).

In other media

Films

• In The New Mutants, Limbo appeared in the setting of the live-action film. This incarnation was a mental dimension created by Illyana who had been kidnapped and taken as a sex slave with her also being tormented by gangsters. To cope mentally with the trauma, she internalised her fears of her tormentors which manifested as otherworldly beings she called the Smiley Men. This led to her attempting to escape her suffering by transporting herself mentally to a dimension she called Limbo alongside her dragon toy Lockheed. In Limbo, Lockheed was turned into a real dragon and Illyana gained magical abilities, however due to her spending too much time in there, Limbo itself also became real.

Appearances

• Uncanny X-Men v1 #160 (1982)

External Links

• Marvel Database Entry

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