#master order

Back on Earth, still screwed up by the Creators' inept machinations, the Ancient One, Clea and Wong look in on Doc who's just challenged one of the most powerful beings in existence. The Ancient One explains to Clea what the In-Betweener is (sort of) and Wong sounds like an ignoramus. The Ancient One explains all they can do for the moment is watch. A look outside shows that while Tom is drawing the Sanctum Sanctorum differently, it's still wrong.

Looking back into the In-Betweener's realm, Doc throws the first blow by wrapping his foe in the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak. This does no good as he walks through them like they aren't there. He then lectures Doc about the cosmic balance again.

Doc continues throwing trick after trick at the In-Between to no avail until something heads toward the wheel, freaking the hell out of Doc.

The next round of spells have bizarre things happen to them.

Stern and Sutton then show us more crazy stuff.

Doc nearly goes insane and is restrained by the In-Betweener. Back at the Sanctum, Clea and the Ancient One send thoughts and prayers, along with a bit of strength. Doc calms down, has a revelation, and breaks free. Tom gives us a two page spread for this.

I assume that Doc doesn't know who Adam Warlock was and is insulted by thinking he's been confused with some little witch. The In-Betweener says it still won't do him any good, but Doc has a cunning plan. Doc's plan is to call the In-Betweener's managers! Yup, he calls on Master Order and Lord Chaos to restrain their unruly child.

Doc pummels the In-Betweener with a plethora of spells and finally prevails.

Doc now has the opportunity to change the spin of the wheel, after lots of warnings to be careful. Tom draws lots more bizarre stuff and an exhausted Doc returns to a restored Earth.

The Ancient becomes one with the universe again and Doc is reunited with Clea.

Yup, the Doc is Sorcerer Supreme again. Although he's a bit cagey about it.

We finally wrap up this turkey. I get the sense that Mr. Stern didn't really know what to do here. There's lots of action and Mr. Sutton executes this beautifully. There's not a lot of substance and the large panels, multiple page spread and actions that take multiple panels to accomplish allow the story to spread.

Doc calling on his foe's boss feels like a cop-out. He can't figure what to do so he calls the managers. Doc is the original Karen! But the reset back to normal is quite elegant. Doc's return to Earth, the Ancient One's return to the universe, Clea's inquisitiveness are all delightful.