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If Destruction Be Our Lot Volume 1: A House Divided
When humans disappears and robots flourish, one robot dares to go beyond the walls to find the humans who might still be alive in the sci-fi adventure of the year, where WALL-E meets Fallout.
Humanity is extinct and all that remains are the robots who once helped us. The robots that once helped us are happier now, doing their work without human interference. But not Abraham Lincoln. Abe is haunted by the thought that there must be something more out there—that somewhere, human beings might still exist. After nearly getting killed, he's determined to wander the Earth until he finds them. . . or gets recycled trying. Join him on an epic quest to learn who lives beyond the walls, why no one ever comes back, and what it means to be truly alive.
Artist Andy MacDonald (Wonder Woman, Doctor Strange), and writers Mark Elijah Rosenberg (Approaching The Unknown, Year Million) and Matthew Rosenberg (WE’RE TAKING EVERYONE DOWN WITH US / 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank) bring you an ongoing story about finding purpose, holding onto hope, and really lonely robots.
Collects issues #1-4.
Humanity is extinct and all that remains are the robots who once helped us. The robots that once helped us are happier now, doing their work without human interference. But not Abraham Lincoln. Abe is haunted by the thought that there must be something more out there—that somewhere, human beings might still exist. After nearly getting killed, he's determined to wander the Earth until he finds them. . . or gets recycled trying. Join him on an epic quest to learn who lives beyond the walls, why no one ever comes back, and what it means to be truly alive.
Artist Andy MacDonald (Wonder Woman, Doctor Strange), and writers Mark Elijah Rosenberg (Approaching The Unknown, Year Million) and Matthew Rosenberg (WE’RE TAKING EVERYONE DOWN WITH US / 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank) bring you an ongoing story about finding purpose, holding onto hope, and really lonely robots.
Collects issues #1-4.
136 pages, Paperback
Published November 3, 2026
About the author
Matthew Rosenberg
722 books180 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
"I haven’t always been a writer. My parents are writers and my brother is a writer, and I resisted that as long as I could. When I was 17, I hopped in a band’s van and I went on tour for a summer, and that was it, that was what I wanted to do. I ran a record label for 10 years, a small indie punk label. I did everything in music that you can do that doesn’t involve having musical ability. Eventually the music business, probably in a similar way to comics, will just start to break your heart, and I realized one day that I kind of hated music. I was resigned to thinking, if I’m going to be involved in music forever, I’m going to hate it for the rest of my life. I just stopped. I stopped having any sort of business with music, any involvement.
I read comics my whole life, so I just naturally fell back into another medium that is marginalized and hard to make a living in."
Source: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles...
Writer of comics WE CAN NEVER GO HOME, SECRET WARS JOURNAL, OUR WORK FILLS THE PEWS, 12 REASONS TO DIE, & MENU.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
"I haven’t always been a writer. My parents are writers and my brother is a writer, and I resisted that as long as I could. When I was 17, I hopped in a band’s van and I went on tour for a summer, and that was it, that was what I wanted to do. I ran a record label for 10 years, a small indie punk label. I did everything in music that you can do that doesn’t involve having musical ability. Eventually the music business, probably in a similar way to comics, will just start to break your heart, and I realized one day that I kind of hated music. I was resigned to thinking, if I’m going to be involved in music forever, I’m going to hate it for the rest of my life. I just stopped. I stopped having any sort of business with music, any involvement.
I read comics my whole life, so I just naturally fell back into another medium that is marginalized and hard to make a living in."
Source: http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles...
Writer of comics WE CAN NEVER GO HOME, SECRET WARS JOURNAL, OUR WORK FILLS THE PEWS, 12 REASONS TO DIE, & MENU.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A dystopian future where robots have taken over and humans haven't been seen in decades or maybe they have? Robot society looks a whole lot like our human one. The main character is an Abraham Lincoln animatronic that all hte other robots hate.
Read
August 18, 2026Is it on the nose to open a 2026 comic with a replica Abraham Lincoln being mocked and beaten by robots? Perhaps, but the times are beyond subtlety. It's hardly new to show us robots who, generations beyond the end of humanity, find themselves just as dissatisfied, their society as unequal and sclerotic, as was the case for their fleshy progenitors – think Service Model, D4VE, Saturn's Children. But even if those mostly had more finely tuned satirical and existential chops, where this is happy to run with a sort of manic picaresque, it hits harder for coming out as we watch our democracy and culture get chewed up by the apparently unstoppable, despite also mostly being inept, maw of AI.
(Netgalley ARC)
(Netgalley ARC)
August 16, 2026
There is something oddly comforting about a story that begins with humanity already gone.
If Destruction Be Our Lot
places into a world where humans have long been dead, leaving the robots who cared for them to carry on without us. Brother writing duo,
Matthew Rosenberg
& Mark Elijah Rosenberg, along with artist Andy MacDonald take this cold, post-apocalyptic setting, and turn it into something surprisingly human while we follow a robot that refuses to accept that what the world is like not is all that there is.
Humanity is extinct and all that remains are the robots who once helped us. The robots that once helped us are happier now, doing their work without human interference. But not Abraham Lincoln. Abe is haunted by the thought that there must be something more out there—that somewhere, human beings might still exist. After nearly getting killed, he's determined to wander the Earth until he finds them. . . or gets recycled trying. Join him on an epic quest to learn who lives beyond the walls, why no one ever comes back, and what it means to be truly alive.
Matthew and Mark Elijah have crafted a tale in If Destruction Be Our Lot , that is about the robots we left behind after humans have seemingly gone extinct, but really finds a way to make the story feel more human as the pages turn. There is this emotional connection felt between the reader and our new friend, the robotic Abraham Lincoln that the writing duo was able to conjure up and I was not expecting at all, but glad it exists.
This story would've been amazing to follow along, even without Abe Lincoln as the face of the robot main character. However, Lincoln being the thing to break the mold and his everyday duties as a robot, serving the humans, makes the story all that more unique and special. Abe is now the character to think outside the box, wonder what else there is for these robots now that the humans are not around. Using Lincoln as the main character is such a great choice, as we get to see the 16th President of the United States explore this post-apocalyptic landscape as a robot looking for a better tomorrow, even after the actual person lived and died doing something similar.
The first chapter sets the story in place, but it's the rest of the first volume that ratchets things up a bit. Lincoln is on a search for what else is out there, but ends up going through so stuff along the way. The first four chapters of this story is a true whirlwind and goes places I had never expected to go. A former human-serving robot is beaten down, and broken, but still attempting to continue his search. Even after four amazing first installments, there are so many unanswered questions that make you want more.
Building on the humanity of it all, the illustrations by MacDonald and colors by Francesco Segala, bring that human side of things to a cold and jagged world. The art team finds a way to include some warmth, beauty, and human elements into a robotic and dark future. A desolate world that feels there is some hope on the horizon, even if the present seems hard to get through.
Writing duo Matthew Rosenberg & Mark Elijah Rosenberg and artist Andy MacDonald find humanity in a cold and robotic future where humans are seemingly long gone in If Destruction Be Our Lot . A science-fiction adventure where a lonely robot Abraham Lincoln searches for a new purpose in a post-apocalyptic world that is fighting back. With unanswered questions abound, this first volume is a must-read, but makes you want so much more...in a good way.
The collected edition of If Destruction Be Our Lot Vol. 1 hits local comic shops on October 7, 2026 (FOC: August 31) and bookstores everywhere November 3 from Image Comics.
Humanity is extinct and all that remains are the robots who once helped us. The robots that once helped us are happier now, doing their work without human interference. But not Abraham Lincoln. Abe is haunted by the thought that there must be something more out there—that somewhere, human beings might still exist. After nearly getting killed, he's determined to wander the Earth until he finds them. . . or gets recycled trying. Join him on an epic quest to learn who lives beyond the walls, why no one ever comes back, and what it means to be truly alive.
Matthew and Mark Elijah have crafted a tale in If Destruction Be Our Lot , that is about the robots we left behind after humans have seemingly gone extinct, but really finds a way to make the story feel more human as the pages turn. There is this emotional connection felt between the reader and our new friend, the robotic Abraham Lincoln that the writing duo was able to conjure up and I was not expecting at all, but glad it exists.
This story would've been amazing to follow along, even without Abe Lincoln as the face of the robot main character. However, Lincoln being the thing to break the mold and his everyday duties as a robot, serving the humans, makes the story all that more unique and special. Abe is now the character to think outside the box, wonder what else there is for these robots now that the humans are not around. Using Lincoln as the main character is such a great choice, as we get to see the 16th President of the United States explore this post-apocalyptic landscape as a robot looking for a better tomorrow, even after the actual person lived and died doing something similar.
The first chapter sets the story in place, but it's the rest of the first volume that ratchets things up a bit. Lincoln is on a search for what else is out there, but ends up going through so stuff along the way. The first four chapters of this story is a true whirlwind and goes places I had never expected to go. A former human-serving robot is beaten down, and broken, but still attempting to continue his search. Even after four amazing first installments, there are so many unanswered questions that make you want more.
Building on the humanity of it all, the illustrations by MacDonald and colors by Francesco Segala, bring that human side of things to a cold and jagged world. The art team finds a way to include some warmth, beauty, and human elements into a robotic and dark future. A desolate world that feels there is some hope on the horizon, even if the present seems hard to get through.
Writing duo Matthew Rosenberg & Mark Elijah Rosenberg and artist Andy MacDonald find humanity in a cold and robotic future where humans are seemingly long gone in If Destruction Be Our Lot . A science-fiction adventure where a lonely robot Abraham Lincoln searches for a new purpose in a post-apocalyptic world that is fighting back. With unanswered questions abound, this first volume is a must-read, but makes you want so much more...in a good way.
The collected edition of If Destruction Be Our Lot Vol. 1 hits local comic shops on October 7, 2026 (FOC: August 31) and bookstores everywhere November 3 from Image Comics.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for an advance copy of this graphic novel that takes place in future that has been left to the appliances, a world that is slowly falling apart, a world where humans have not been seen for almost 80 years, and an AI robot, with a familiar visage who is sure there is a way to save the Union, if only he could remember what the Union was.
I have always been of mixed thoughts when it came to having real people in fictional stories. Especially when authors have to change facts to make these characters work in their stories. I don't know why but this always bothered me. Even before some of these characters became Vampire Hunters, or what ever various authors have thought of. Real people lived real lives and that should be enough. Abraham Lincoln has been a very popular one. The aforementioned Vampire Hunter, even a gladiator fighting in an episode of Classic Star Trek. One can see why. A self-made, self-educated man, a wrestler, a sharer of beds with men, a grieving father, a saver of the Union, and one who arrested dissenters. A man of complications, a man who lived life. Maybe this is the answer. If Abraham Lincoln didn't exist maybe fiction writers would have had to invent him. And maybe only a copy of Lincoln can save the future. If Destruction Be Our Lot Volume 1: A House Divided is written by Matthew Rosenberg with art by Mark Elijah Rosenberg, Andy MacDonald and Francesco Segala and tells of a city full of robots and appliances that has no real memory of man, a society falling apart, and one keeping secrets, that only a replica president can find out.
Sometime in the future is a city full of robots. They have made a society, one that seems a little fascist in nature, but one that lives behind shields, and has not had a human spotting for almost 80 years. Robots walk around looking for tasks, carrying out tasks, fighting for power, or even in some cases getting high on voltage. Abe is a replica president, one who makes speeches from the past, talking about a great Civil War, and saving the Union. And getting pushed around by other robots. Until Abe sees a human, and things go wrong. Security robots reprogram those who spot humans, something that Abe finds he is immune to. This starts a series of calamitous events costing Abe friends, sends him spiraling into electric drugs, and soon on a quest to find answers about humanity and how he can help save the Union.
A book that has a lot going on, and one that I found quite interesting and in some places quite surprising. Rosenberg always has great ideas, and this one is pretty novel. The story takes a few pages to get going, but once it does it just goes. Screwball chases, Rube Goldberg robot traps. Along with a lot of different mysteries. Where are the humans, why are robots reprogramming themselves, what lies outside the wall? The art is really good, a mix of Geof Darrow-like robots with a bleak setting, and a surprising amount of violence. The colors are really good, and compliment the work quite well.
A book that really kept my interest and made me want to know more. The plotting moves well, there are a lot of questions that need answering, but that is a good thing. I can't wait to watch the mysteries unfold. Another strong story from Rosenberg, and one I am looking forward to reading more of.
I have always been of mixed thoughts when it came to having real people in fictional stories. Especially when authors have to change facts to make these characters work in their stories. I don't know why but this always bothered me. Even before some of these characters became Vampire Hunters, or what ever various authors have thought of. Real people lived real lives and that should be enough. Abraham Lincoln has been a very popular one. The aforementioned Vampire Hunter, even a gladiator fighting in an episode of Classic Star Trek. One can see why. A self-made, self-educated man, a wrestler, a sharer of beds with men, a grieving father, a saver of the Union, and one who arrested dissenters. A man of complications, a man who lived life. Maybe this is the answer. If Abraham Lincoln didn't exist maybe fiction writers would have had to invent him. And maybe only a copy of Lincoln can save the future. If Destruction Be Our Lot Volume 1: A House Divided is written by Matthew Rosenberg with art by Mark Elijah Rosenberg, Andy MacDonald and Francesco Segala and tells of a city full of robots and appliances that has no real memory of man, a society falling apart, and one keeping secrets, that only a replica president can find out.
Sometime in the future is a city full of robots. They have made a society, one that seems a little fascist in nature, but one that lives behind shields, and has not had a human spotting for almost 80 years. Robots walk around looking for tasks, carrying out tasks, fighting for power, or even in some cases getting high on voltage. Abe is a replica president, one who makes speeches from the past, talking about a great Civil War, and saving the Union. And getting pushed around by other robots. Until Abe sees a human, and things go wrong. Security robots reprogram those who spot humans, something that Abe finds he is immune to. This starts a series of calamitous events costing Abe friends, sends him spiraling into electric drugs, and soon on a quest to find answers about humanity and how he can help save the Union.
A book that has a lot going on, and one that I found quite interesting and in some places quite surprising. Rosenberg always has great ideas, and this one is pretty novel. The story takes a few pages to get going, but once it does it just goes. Screwball chases, Rube Goldberg robot traps. Along with a lot of different mysteries. Where are the humans, why are robots reprogramming themselves, what lies outside the wall? The art is really good, a mix of Geof Darrow-like robots with a bleak setting, and a surprising amount of violence. The colors are really good, and compliment the work quite well.
A book that really kept my interest and made me want to know more. The plotting moves well, there are a lot of questions that need answering, but that is a good thing. I can't wait to watch the mysteries unfold. Another strong story from Rosenberg, and one I am looking forward to reading more of.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If Destruction Be Our Lot is an ongoing comic series written by Mark Elija Rosenberg (recently known for creating the Year Million TV series) and Matthew Rosenberg, who has a number of comic-writing credits, including What’s the Furthest Place from Here?
I’ve been lucky enough to review an advanced reading copy of the first TPB that I received from Image Comics via NetGalley, which collects issues 1–4 in one volume. Issue 5 releases in October.
Right off the bat, I was hooked. The story takes place after some kind of apocalyptic event where robots now inhabit the Earth and humans are extinct. (I know… topical, right?)
Our protagonist is an Abraham Lincoln robot who was originally housed in the Old Ford Theatre before the end of humanity. He’s different from the other robots in that, A, he looks human and, B, for all intents and purposes, he acts and talks like Abraham Lincoln. From the outset, Abe realises there must be more to existence.
What follows is his journey alongside an array of quirky robot companions, including a cooking robot who has some of the greatest lines in the comic, including: “Never trust a freezer” and “I should have done more or given more…… Feta.”
Whilst there are plenty of comical moments, the book also has a much more serious tone. Abe’s life spins out of control when, whilst riding an automated bus with a lovely personality, he sees a human—the first human seen in 50-plus years. He tries to tell the authorities, only to be sent for reprogramming for his trouble.
What follows gets into spoiler territory, but needless to say, it really hooked me in.
The book also tackles some more serious issues, including drug addiction and conflicting social statuses within society, adding a surprising amount of depth to what initially seems like a fairly quirky premise.
This book has pretty much everything: humour, gravitas, a great hook and a couple of interesting twists. It manages to balance its lighter moments with some genuinely thought-provoking ideas, and by the end, I was really invested in Abe’s journey.
I’m thoroughly looking forward to issue 5.
Also of note is the fantastic artwork by illustrator Andy MacDonald, who really brings this strange world to life. To his credit, every robot drawn is unique, and his portrayal of Abe is spot on.
This TPB releases on 03/10/2026 and clocks in at 136 pages. I’d give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
I’ve been lucky enough to review an advanced reading copy of the first TPB that I received from Image Comics via NetGalley, which collects issues 1–4 in one volume. Issue 5 releases in October.
Right off the bat, I was hooked. The story takes place after some kind of apocalyptic event where robots now inhabit the Earth and humans are extinct. (I know… topical, right?)
Our protagonist is an Abraham Lincoln robot who was originally housed in the Old Ford Theatre before the end of humanity. He’s different from the other robots in that, A, he looks human and, B, for all intents and purposes, he acts and talks like Abraham Lincoln. From the outset, Abe realises there must be more to existence.
What follows is his journey alongside an array of quirky robot companions, including a cooking robot who has some of the greatest lines in the comic, including: “Never trust a freezer” and “I should have done more or given more…… Feta.”
Whilst there are plenty of comical moments, the book also has a much more serious tone. Abe’s life spins out of control when, whilst riding an automated bus with a lovely personality, he sees a human—the first human seen in 50-plus years. He tries to tell the authorities, only to be sent for reprogramming for his trouble.
What follows gets into spoiler territory, but needless to say, it really hooked me in.
The book also tackles some more serious issues, including drug addiction and conflicting social statuses within society, adding a surprising amount of depth to what initially seems like a fairly quirky premise.
This book has pretty much everything: humour, gravitas, a great hook and a couple of interesting twists. It manages to balance its lighter moments with some genuinely thought-provoking ideas, and by the end, I was really invested in Abe’s journey.
I’m thoroughly looking forward to issue 5.
Also of note is the fantastic artwork by illustrator Andy MacDonald, who really brings this strange world to life. To his credit, every robot drawn is unique, and his portrayal of Abe is spot on.
This TPB releases on 03/10/2026 and clocks in at 136 pages. I’d give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Someone once told me that in order to get a story across well, every visual medium needs to adhere to a certain narrative rhythm. I never knew if I actually bought that idea, because I've enjoyed a lot of rather "unrhythmic" things over the years. But if there ever was something to make the case for that idea, it would probably be "If Destruction Be Our Lot" by Matthew and Mark Elijah Rosenberg, Andy MacDonald, and Francesco Segala. Because that thing suffers from having basically no rhythm whatsoever. Or all the rhythms simultaneously. Which is probably the same thing.
"If Destruction Be Our Lot" is set in the future, after humanity has vanished, and all of the robots that are left behind are looking for purpose. Or maybe not, because the robot who is looking for purpose the most, an Abraham Licoln animatronic, is universally despised. But then he stumbles across... well, a bit more than just "clues" about the fact that there might still be humans out there. Which sends him on a colision course with the powers that be, who for some apparently don't want that to be known.
"If Destruction Be Our Lot" has a lot going for it. It looks great. It is well written. The story, while not especially surprising, promises a lot for the future (this voume one collects the first issues of the ongoing series). And the worldbuilding is actually kinda excellent. I don't know if this counts as satire, because if it tries to make points, I don't know what they are. But projecting this rather familiar dystopian kind of world onto sentient robots makes for some very intriguing moments in the narrative.
The main problem is - as mentioned - a leck of narrative rhythm. This thing starts and stops all over the place, leading from slow and ponderous worldbuilding to sudden, way too sprawling action sequences, which then try to hammer a lot of storytelling into the background, and then it's back again to the other kind, and all of this gave me quite a bit of whiplash. It's a shame, because I generally like what "If Destruction Be Our Lot" is doing, so... I'm probably gonna keep an eye on this going forward, and I hope that it'll find its rhythm going forward, but for now, more full of potential than actually super-worthwhile. But yeah, the potential is there.
"If Destruction Be Our Lot" is set in the future, after humanity has vanished, and all of the robots that are left behind are looking for purpose. Or maybe not, because the robot who is looking for purpose the most, an Abraham Licoln animatronic, is universally despised. But then he stumbles across... well, a bit more than just "clues" about the fact that there might still be humans out there. Which sends him on a colision course with the powers that be, who for some apparently don't want that to be known.
"If Destruction Be Our Lot" has a lot going for it. It looks great. It is well written. The story, while not especially surprising, promises a lot for the future (this voume one collects the first issues of the ongoing series). And the worldbuilding is actually kinda excellent. I don't know if this counts as satire, because if it tries to make points, I don't know what they are. But projecting this rather familiar dystopian kind of world onto sentient robots makes for some very intriguing moments in the narrative.
The main problem is - as mentioned - a leck of narrative rhythm. This thing starts and stops all over the place, leading from slow and ponderous worldbuilding to sudden, way too sprawling action sequences, which then try to hammer a lot of storytelling into the background, and then it's back again to the other kind, and all of this gave me quite a bit of whiplash. It's a shame, because I generally like what "If Destruction Be Our Lot" is doing, so... I'm probably gonna keep an eye on this going forward, and I hope that it'll find its rhythm going forward, but for now, more full of potential than actually super-worthwhile. But yeah, the potential is there.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Image comics, the authors, and the illustrator for the advanced reading copy of If Destruction Be Our Lot!
If Destruction Be Our Lot follows Abraham Lincoln, defunct tour robot programmed to be the 16th president of the United States, as he grapples with loneliness in the aftermath of the robot revolution. He is a robot that resembles humans and holds no useful function in the new society, so he is an outcast and wanders the city while reciting Lincoln's famous speeches. One lonely bus ride becomes world-shattering as the bus serves around a very real and very alive human. No other bot believes what he has seen, so Abe must continue his pursuit for the truth alone. Are humans still alive? And if they are, where have they been all these years?
Full transparency, I have been buying the individual issues of this comic, so when I saw an ARC available on the site, I couldn't resist getting the end of the first volume a little quicker than everyone else. I love the world building and the idea that hierarchical structures persist even past the robot revolution, as there were obviously some bots left behind in the dust once the robots rose up. As this is only the first four issues of the series, I am really interested in where they story is headed and the implications presented by a living human. The story does drag in some areas, but I am sure those detours will pay off in future issues. The artwork is so intricate and well done, I especially like the designs of the robots. When I was first looking at the comic I was worried they would all be humanoid robots like Abe, so I am really happy with the wide range of designs.
If Destruction Be Our Lot follows Abraham Lincoln, defunct tour robot programmed to be the 16th president of the United States, as he grapples with loneliness in the aftermath of the robot revolution. He is a robot that resembles humans and holds no useful function in the new society, so he is an outcast and wanders the city while reciting Lincoln's famous speeches. One lonely bus ride becomes world-shattering as the bus serves around a very real and very alive human. No other bot believes what he has seen, so Abe must continue his pursuit for the truth alone. Are humans still alive? And if they are, where have they been all these years?
Full transparency, I have been buying the individual issues of this comic, so when I saw an ARC available on the site, I couldn't resist getting the end of the first volume a little quicker than everyone else. I love the world building and the idea that hierarchical structures persist even past the robot revolution, as there were obviously some bots left behind in the dust once the robots rose up. As this is only the first four issues of the series, I am really interested in where they story is headed and the implications presented by a living human. The story does drag in some areas, but I am sure those detours will pay off in future issues. The artwork is so intricate and well done, I especially like the designs of the robots. When I was first looking at the comic I was worried they would all be humanoid robots like Abe, so I am really happy with the wide range of designs.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This fantastic volume collects issues 1-4 of the sci-fi dystopian comic If Destruction Be Our Lot.
In the future, a city is filled with robots and automatons after humanity has died out on Earth. The story begins with an Abraham Lincoln robot trying to give the “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher” speech to a group of uninterested robots.
I loved this comic! It is beautifully illustrated and really well written. Many of the robots are still doing something close to the tasks they were originally designed for, while others have found ways to exploit their fellow robots. There is a nice mix of dark dystopia, hopeful optimism, and whimsy. Mostly, I loved that the themes of humanity, purpose, and what it means to be alive are explored through a group of robots.
This is a wonderful start to an exciting new comic. This story arc is concluded, but it leaves off in an exciting new direction. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this series.
Art: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
My Enjoyment: 5/5
*** I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
In the future, a city is filled with robots and automatons after humanity has died out on Earth. The story begins with an Abraham Lincoln robot trying to give the “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher” speech to a group of uninterested robots.
I loved this comic! It is beautifully illustrated and really well written. Many of the robots are still doing something close to the tasks they were originally designed for, while others have found ways to exploit their fellow robots. There is a nice mix of dark dystopia, hopeful optimism, and whimsy. Mostly, I loved that the themes of humanity, purpose, and what it means to be alive are explored through a group of robots.
This is a wonderful start to an exciting new comic. This story arc is concluded, but it leaves off in an exciting new direction. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this series.
Art: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
My Enjoyment: 5/5
*** I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had a good time with this one. Humanity is gone, robots have taken over, and our protagonist is basically a robot Abraham Lincoln wandering around trying to figure out if there’s anything left beyond the walls.
The writing is good, the art is fantastic, and the characters are easy to like. Abe in particular - he’s curious, stubborn and a little weird. The whole robot society is also fun, with plenty of strange little details and a nice mix of humour and darker stuff.
The pacing works really well too. There’s always something happening, but it doesn’t feel like the book is rushing from one action scene to another. It gradually opens up the world and leaves enough unanswered to make me curious about where the story is going.
It does get a little repetitive in places, and some of the ideas could probably have been pushed further, but those are minor complaints. By the end, I was definitely interested enough to want the next volume.
Fun, weird, well-drawn and with a cast I actually want to spend more time with. I’m in for the rest of the series.
ARC through NetGalley
The writing is good, the art is fantastic, and the characters are easy to like. Abe in particular - he’s curious, stubborn and a little weird. The whole robot society is also fun, with plenty of strange little details and a nice mix of humour and darker stuff.
The pacing works really well too. There’s always something happening, but it doesn’t feel like the book is rushing from one action scene to another. It gradually opens up the world and leaves enough unanswered to make me curious about where the story is going.
It does get a little repetitive in places, and some of the ideas could probably have been pushed further, but those are minor complaints. By the end, I was definitely interested enough to want the next volume.
Fun, weird, well-drawn and with a cast I actually want to spend more time with. I’m in for the rest of the series.
ARC through NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Huge thanks to Image Comics and Netgalley for the e-ARC
My absolute favorite thing about this comic is the silly ways the robots' curses are censored–especially the bus saying "What the PING DING are you doing!". I love this kind of silliness, especially in a post-apocalyptic setting. There's so much character to each robot and many different ways it's revealed. I could read multiple hundred pages of the robots' daily lives and nothing else; I wish I were a little stray cat just walking around, watching and listening to them just hanging around.
The muted colors work so well for this setting and make the more colorful special effects so effective, the art style is really nice.
This volume is a good setup for the story and characters, but I'm not quite hooked yet. Although it seems like this will be more of a character-driven story, which is my favorite kind of story, so I'm really excited to see more of them. I might've even shed a little tear seeing what Abe's home port looks like... It's so easy to get invested in whatever this guy gets himself into.
My absolute favorite thing about this comic is the silly ways the robots' curses are censored–especially the bus saying "What the PING DING are you doing!". I love this kind of silliness, especially in a post-apocalyptic setting. There's so much character to each robot and many different ways it's revealed. I could read multiple hundred pages of the robots' daily lives and nothing else; I wish I were a little stray cat just walking around, watching and listening to them just hanging around.
The muted colors work so well for this setting and make the more colorful special effects so effective, the art style is really nice.
This volume is a good setup for the story and characters, but I'm not quite hooked yet. Although it seems like this will be more of a character-driven story, which is my favorite kind of story, so I'm really excited to see more of them. I might've even shed a little tear seeing what Abe's home port looks like... It's so easy to get invested in whatever this guy gets himself into.
August 31, 2026
I read this in one sitting. It was so good. Left me hanging for more tho.
I may be reading too much into it but I understood that maybe it has some criticism on what society has become. I have two theories: on the one hand they’re talking about IA and on the other hand they refer to the cold, un-feeling world we have. I personally like the last one better so I’m gonna believe that’s it, that’s my final interpretation on it.
It made me so sad to understand how alone Abe feels, how we shoot a fix of dopamine just to not think about how shitty our lives are. However, he doesn’t give up on his search and I want to think that we, the people who read, are kind of wired that way too: we don’t give up on our search of a better world, even if it isn’t our own.
Even though this made me deeply sad, it also made me laugh. I was cackling at the sassy interactions with Bus and Speed.
Honestly no bad notes here.
I may be reading too much into it but I understood that maybe it has some criticism on what society has become. I have two theories: on the one hand they’re talking about IA and on the other hand they refer to the cold, un-feeling world we have. I personally like the last one better so I’m gonna believe that’s it, that’s my final interpretation on it.
It made me so sad to understand how alone Abe feels, how we shoot a fix of dopamine just to not think about how shitty our lives are. However, he doesn’t give up on his search and I want to think that we, the people who read, are kind of wired that way too: we don’t give up on our search of a better world, even if it isn’t our own.
Even though this made me deeply sad, it also made me laugh. I was cackling at the sassy interactions with Bus and Speed.
Honestly no bad notes here.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this as an e-arc from NetGalley. Thank you to Image Comics for the copy!
This is a fast paced but melancholic comic volume set in a humanless future populated by robots.
This one really intrigued me, both the choice of bot Abraham Lincoln as a protagonist, and the deliberate contrast of quiet contemplation and brutal violence constantly at play throughout the comic. We’re only just setting up the plot and thematic conversations in this volume, tackling an authoritarian government, questions of purpose and existence, finding meaning after an ending, and I’m very interested to see what comes up next.
I do have a minor complaint about the art, which is beautiful, but relies so much of extra effects for story telling (which is usually used effectively here imo) that it can obfuscate what is actually going on in the panel.
This is a fast paced but melancholic comic volume set in a humanless future populated by robots.
This one really intrigued me, both the choice of bot Abraham Lincoln as a protagonist, and the deliberate contrast of quiet contemplation and brutal violence constantly at play throughout the comic. We’re only just setting up the plot and thematic conversations in this volume, tackling an authoritarian government, questions of purpose and existence, finding meaning after an ending, and I’m very interested to see what comes up next.
I do have a minor complaint about the art, which is beautiful, but relies so much of extra effects for story telling (which is usually used effectively here imo) that it can obfuscate what is actually going on in the panel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
* Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for the ARC and my honest review *
An intriguing tale of an Abe Lincoln robot navigating a time when there are no human beings in existence. Robots roam the city with no real function in life without humans providing direction, but none of them care. Most are happy not having to deal with humans anymore. Abe is the exception. He wants to find some sort of purpose in their existence. Why do buses still run if no one rides? Why do we continue each day with no goal or will to fight? Abe's curiosity tends to get the better of him and any other robots that cross his path.
I didn't find much of interest within this story, but the art was nice. It's straightforward with it's portrayal of self doubt and exploration into areas barricading them from discovering more.
An intriguing tale of an Abe Lincoln robot navigating a time when there are no human beings in existence. Robots roam the city with no real function in life without humans providing direction, but none of them care. Most are happy not having to deal with humans anymore. Abe is the exception. He wants to find some sort of purpose in their existence. Why do buses still run if no one rides? Why do we continue each day with no goal or will to fight? Abe's curiosity tends to get the better of him and any other robots that cross his path.
I didn't find much of interest within this story, but the art was nice. It's straightforward with it's portrayal of self doubt and exploration into areas barricading them from discovering more.
October 2, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and Image Comics for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review
The first four issues of Cover of If Destruction Be Our Lot is already publicly released.
I've read other Rosenberg comics before, mostly DC, Task Force Z, liked it, and Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing. Now this one is his own creation together with co-writer Mark Elijah Rosenberg and artist Andy MacDonald. I think it's just fine, nothing really stood out yet. It honestly feels like a very quick prologue.
We were introduced to a robot Abraham Lincoln in a place just full of robots and machineries, we are told all humans are dead. But suddenly they spotted one. There's also under a dome, so they don't really know what outside looked like.
Character design and colors by Andy MacDonald are also good.
The first four issues of Cover of If Destruction Be Our Lot is already publicly released.
I've read other Rosenberg comics before, mostly DC, Task Force Z, liked it, and Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing. Now this one is his own creation together with co-writer Mark Elijah Rosenberg and artist Andy MacDonald. I think it's just fine, nothing really stood out yet. It honestly feels like a very quick prologue.
We were introduced to a robot Abraham Lincoln in a place just full of robots and machineries, we are told all humans are dead. But suddenly they spotted one. There's also under a dome, so they don't really know what outside looked like.
Character design and colors by Andy MacDonald are also good.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m always a fan of a good dystopian setting, and If Destruction Be Our Lot, Vol. 1 takes a really unique approach to the genre. A post-human world filled with robots, strange new struggles, and completely different dynamics immediately pulled me in. Then there’s mech Abraham Lincoln as the main character which somehow works so well with this world! I really enjoyed seeing this robot-infested landscape and watching Lincoln’s story unfold, especially once he finds a small human and makes his way out of the robot-run city. There’s a lot here that has me curious about where the story is headed next. I’m definitely ready for Volume 2 to see where Matthew Rosenberg and Andy MacDonald take this world and these characters next!
Review of advance copy
Menneskeheden er væk. Tilbage er kun robotter. En glitchy Abraham Lincoln museums-robot tager på en rejse efter svar. Måske kan han finde nogle overlevende mennesker. Undervejs møder han den hurtigt-tænkende robot Speed der får de to makkere ud af nogle tricky omstændigheder. Tegneserien har masser af fede robot-illustrationer men både karakterer, dialog og world building virker umoden og underudviklet. Første album i serien her fortaber sig i den ene action-agtige jagt efter den anden og formår ikke rigtigt at gøre læseren klogere på verdenen, at underholde eller at aktivere følelser. Tegneserien har en pissefed præmis, men synes jeg, er fuld af missed opportunities.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a copy of this graphic novel via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
A very interesting book. I was really intrigued by the portrayal of this world devoid of humans, yet where the story is told through the eyes of the most human(-like) robot of them all.
The pacing of the narrative is spot on, and the illustrations and colours effectively convey the desolation of this universe. I was really disappointed to see it cut short just as it was getting really good; I’m curious to find out how the story will unfold. An excellent start.
A very interesting book. I was really intrigued by the portrayal of this world devoid of humans, yet where the story is told through the eyes of the most human(-like) robot of them all.
The pacing of the narrative is spot on, and the illustrations and colours effectively convey the desolation of this universe. I was really disappointed to see it cut short just as it was getting really good; I’m curious to find out how the story will unfold. An excellent start.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Great read!! The story about Abraham Lincoln robot that is unique compared to other normal robot. He was unusual and human like. Human are a rarity in their times. He found a human kid and it makes him more broken as he couldn’t forget about that child. He journeys to find that human child back. Well it left on cliffhanger so i cant wait for Volume 2!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There's something so endearing about a robot acting human. Especially such a recognizable robot. This story was fun, adventurous, funny, and silly. The dialogue was a little campy at times, but I was along for the ride! Excited to read the sequels and see where Abe will lead us next.
September 11, 2026
It was an interesting comic with an intriguing premise; I liked the fact that the action takes place in the distant future, where humanity has collapsed and been replaced by robots. I enjoyed this volume and can't wait to read what comes next.
Review of advance copy
Robot Abraham Lincoln with an existential crisis leading to him searching for any remaining humans and a meaning for life, if any at all, to both. It’s super fun.
Although Goodreads has this marked as not released, it indeed is and it is a fantastic piece.
Although Goodreads has this marked as not released, it indeed is and it is a fantastic piece.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
6/10
Review of advance copy
A really nice read.
Review of advance copy
‘If Destruction Be Our Lot’ asks a rather simple sounding question: if your purpose to exist no longer exists, why continue to exist?
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