Limbo

This article is about the holding dimension in the UK Marvel Comics. For the transitional infraspace sometimes called limbo in the IDW Generation 1 continuity, see infraspace.

Limbo is a location in the Generation 1 continuity family.

The Decepticons show off their seaweed collection!

Limbo is a holding dimension used during the process of mass substitution when time travelling. It is a black featureless void inhabited by green emotion parasites. The creatures attach themselves to any being that arrives in limbo and uses mental manipulation to stimulate the violent emotions on which they feed. Those ‘infected’ by the parasites experience their dreams as though it was a reality. Given enough time and sufficient violent emotion the creatures can create an actual reality from the dreams.

Fiction

Marvel UK comics continuity

When Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge time jumped back to 1986, they displaced Optimus Prime, Ratchet and Prowl to Limbo. Later Kup, Hot Rod and Blurr displaced Shockwave, Thundercracker and Frenzy. Target: 2006

All six found themselves in the middle of a war between the peaceful cat-like Cloran and evil monkey-like invaders led by Zenag. At first they were drawn into the battle until Optimus Prime saw the similarity between this war and the Autobot/Decepticon conflict. He ordered the Autobots to stop fighting just in time, as the dream was being made a reality. He suffered a wound when Zenag attacked him, but as the fighting stopped the dream faded and they all found themselves in the void with the parasites attached to their heads. Distant Thunder! Once the time travellers returned to their own time, all six were released from Limbo.

When Galvatron later returned he dispatched Skids to Limbo. Skids remained there for several years until Galvatron was destroyed by a time rift. Time Wars Due to the length of time he was there the parasites were able to make a number of horrific creatures a reality. These creatures were later returned to Earth along with Skids. They were eventually destroyed by the Survivors. Survivors!

Before Galvatron was destroyed, Optimus Prime was once again dispatched to Limbo when Rodimus Prime travelled back in time to try and seal the time rift caused by Galvatron. Having been to Limbo before he was able to resist the mind parasites. Using the link to the Creation Matrix that both he and Rodimus Prime carried, he was able to communicate with the Autobots on Earth. He then later used the Matrix as a way of escaping from Limbo without Rodimus Prime having to return to his own time. This bypassed the mass substitution process causing the time rift to worsen. Time Wars

Notes

• In real life, the term "limbo" originally referred to the Roman Catholic concept of an afterlife on the boundary of hell, where unbaptized souls still tainted by original sin but otherwise deemed undeserving of damnation would rest. The Transformers version is much more of a physical dimension, and it has no known connection to the afterlife. However, if we ever see any babies or ancient Jews floating around, we may need to revise our stance.