In If Destruction Be Our Lot, writer Matthew Rosenberg introduces readers to a dystopian future where robots rule, following an animatronic Abe Lincoln who’s in ardent search of meaning beyond the daily grind.
Published by Image Comics, new sci-fi series If Destruction Be Our Lot comes from co-writers Matthew Rosenberg (4 Kids Walk Into a Bank, We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us), Mark Elijah Rosenberg (Approaching the Unknown, Year Million), and artist Andy MacDonald (Doctor Strange, Wonder Woman), colorist Francesco Segala, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.
In If Destruction Be Our Lot, humanity is (supposedly) extinct and all that remains are the robots who once helped us.The robots are happier now, doing their work and former public services without human interference. In amongst these robots is a human-looking robot version of Abraham Lincoln, but he’s tired. He is lonely and wants something more. Surely something lies beyond the edge of the robot-ruling city? He’s determined to find out, even if it means his ultimate destruction.
Admittedly, the concept of this series didn’t completely grip me from the outset. It felt like just another sci-fi series and nothing that hasn’t been done before — except this time, the gimmick was a robot Abe Lincoln. However, it wasn’t long before I was won over its fun quirks, not least an animatronic Lincoln and his banter with fellow robots. The story is both irreverent and bizarre (though nowhere near on the whacky level of Douglas Adams sci-fi), but it’s also has a striking, real-world metaphorical riff.
Once you get into the midst of issue #1, you’ll be undoubtedly taken back by its lovely charm; it’s a story about a guy looking for meaning in a world that’s left his type behind. Given its stellar creative team, quality oozes from the first page. All the robot designs are creative and a lot of fun, and the world building is exceptional. All of it is depicted in breathtaking fashion by artist Any MacDonald.
The story is exceedingly well-crafted, and I think that the duo of Matthew Rosenberg and Mark Elijah Rosenberg works super well. Where Matthew brings his comics expertise, Mark Elijah (known for his film work), offers a cinematic angle, and it rubs off brilliantly in the comics medium.
‘If Destruction Be Our Lot’ is cinematic and well-crafted, with fun sci-fi charm.
Read If Destruction Be Our Lot if you like:
- Descender
- Sentient
- Not All Robots
‘If Destruction Be Our Lot’ debuts May 6, 2026 from Image Comics.
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