Next month, AfterShock Comics will release Astronaut Down #2. The latest issue of the science fiction series comes from writer James Patrick, artist Rubine, colorist Valentina Briški, and letterer Carlos M. Mangual. Today The Beat is pleased to present an exclusive first look at the issue, which finds astronaut Doug Spitzer reeling after jumping into the life of his alternate reality self.

Here’s how AfterShock describes Astronaut Down #2:

Inter-dimensional astronaut Douglas Spitzer has overshot his destination, and he’s now in a world that is both familiar and different. In his home world, a cellular cancer has destroyed 90% of the planet and the people along with it. But this new, parallel world cured it. And while the green sky and clean air is enough to deal with, there’s another reason Douglas is hesitant to complete his mission…love. 

Meanwhile, mission control has to deal with the fallout from another failed launch and the rapidly encroaching cancer outside, all while trying to aid Douglas – who’s the only hope to save their dying world.  

Multiverses and travel between worlds are all the rage right now, and Astronaut Down uses the concept in an interesting and entertaining way. In a statement back when the series was first announced, writer James Patrick described writing a sci-fi series with other genre elements mixed in:

I’m thrilled for it to come out because it’s probably the closest thing I’ve written to straight science fiction. I don’t think anything I do is straight anything, and that’s the case here as there are dabs of horror in this, but this is the first book that’s probably technically sci-fi for me.

Check out the exclusive four-page preview of Astronaut Down #2 below. The issue is due out in stores and digitally on Wednesday, July 6th.