Soul World is a fictional place appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics, and created by writer/illustratorJim Starlin. Soul World was first alluded to inStrange Tales #179 (1975), and first appeared inWarlock Vol 2 #6 (1983). Soul World is described as a "pocket dimension" contained within theSoul Gem, and is depicted as an idyllic alien landscape inhabited by the souls of characters most commonly associated with Starlin's recurrent fictionalprotagonist,Adam Warlock. Soul World serves the narrative as a place ofpurgatory for souls "captured" by Warlock.
Soul World is featured most often in theMarvel Comics cosmic-based talesJim Starlin helped revitalize in the 1970s with the re-purposing ofAdam Warlock, formerly known as Him.[1][2] Warlock wields the Soul Gem, which contains a pocket universe that he can imprison others in. It is overseen by Devondra, an ancient spider-like creature who can consume souls and has the potential to remake reality using the Soul Gem's power.[3]
InInfinity Wars,Gamora uses theInfinity Gems to fuse every individual in the universe with one another and satiate Devondra to prevent it from destroying the universe.[4] After theHulk kills Devondra using the Space Stone, Warlock undoes Gamora's actions and preserves the fused individuals in a pocket universe dubbed Warp World.[5][6]
Starlin initially used Soul World in his stories to serve as a place of exile andpurgatory for a supporting cast of characters most commonly affiliated with his protagonist, Adam Warlock. Warlock is portrayed as being the possessor of the Soul Gem, thereby the de facto god of Soul World. Starlin used Soul World as a place of self-exile for Warlock in that character's death and resurrection storyline.[7] InThe Infinity Gauntlet, Warlock uses Soul World as a place of exile for villains.[8] Other characters, such asJudge Kray-Tor and Captain Autolycus, inhabit Soul World in a type of purgatory for souls that Warlock deems righteous.[9]