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.
If Destruction Be Our Lot Vol. 1 Preview
