| PURGATORY | ATLAS |
HISTORY
Possibly a part of the greater realm of Limbo, Purgatory is the proverbial "place" between Heaven and Hell. A "waiting room" of the afterlife where those go who neither can find peace nor deserve eternal punishment. The souls of several heroes have ended up here, heroes fallen due to their own mistakes and shortcomings. Those include: the Vigilante (II), Peacemaker (I), Robin (II), Rick Flag Jr., and Sargon the Sorcerer. The confused souls of Purgatory have but one goal - to cope with their sins and be purged so that they can reach Heaven. To ensure that they don't get the easy way out, they are guarded by a caste of Angels called Keepers.
Captain Atom encountered Purgatory in the form of a mountain once when he hovered between life and death. Guided by various entities - Death and Destiny of the Endless, the Black Racer, and the Phantom Stranger - he managed to erase the stains of Pride, Wraith, Sloth and Lust from his soul, and thereby return to life as a cleansed man. Later, during the "Day of Judgment", a group of heroes led by Sentinel traveled to Purgatory - this time appearing as a pit - to find a soul to take up the mantle of the Spectre. Several heroes were willing, but the choice fell on Hal Jordan. However, for their assistance in the matter, the other heroes were rewarded with peace in Heaven.