It’s been a rough couple of years for Stephen Strange in the Marvel Universe. Once he was the Master of the Mystic Arts and Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme. But magic just isn’t want it used to be. Aliens tried to eliminate all traces of magic on our world, and the laws of magic were fundamentally altered. Plus, the good Doctor was recently transformed into a Ghost Rider when he tried to save Las Vegas from a corner of Hell. Don't worry, he got better.

Next week, Marvel’s giving Doctor Strange a fresh start with a new creative team including writer Mark Waid and the incredible Jesus Saiz, who is handling the art and the colors. Cory Petit rounds out the creative team as the letterer. Now, in SYFY WIRE’s exclusive preview from Doctor Strange #1, Strange is going up against the elder god X'Axal on his home turf.

Let’s take a good look at X’Axal’s realm just to fully appreciate how much of a mismatch this is. Even if Doctor Strange had all of his powers, this would still be a challenge for him.

The minor spells may be effective, but the problem is on a much larger scale than Strange suspected.

So... you’ve torn reality a new hole. Happens to the best of us!

We’d be a lot more confident in Strange’s solution if it didn’t look like he was tying the breach off with mystical shoelaces.

Marvel has teased that Strange’s journey to replenish his power is going to take him into outer space, where he will find new allies, new spells, and plenty of enemies. Additionally, Strange only has a short time to find a solution before the bill for his magical abilities once again comes due.

Doctor Strange #1 will be released on Wednesday, June 6.