If Destruction Be Our Lot #1 is a Fresh Sci-Fi Must-Read (Review)

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Get ready for a truly imaginative and captivating comic – If Destruction Be Our Lot is a must-read! This new series, from Image Comics and Ashcan Press, is written by Matthew Rosenberg (known for 4 Kids Walk into a Bank and We Can Never Go Home), along with Mark Elijah Rosenberg. Andy MacDonald provides the artwork, with Francesco Segala handling colors and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou on lettering. It’s a fantastic creative team behind a story that’s sure to grab your attention.

Set far in the future, If Destruction Be Our Lot takes place on an Earth where humans are extinct and robots have become the dominant life form. These self-governing, intelligent machines continue to carry out the tasks they were originally programmed for, including Abe, a robot modeled after Abraham Lincoln. Abe begins to wonder about the meaning of existence when he realizes that without humans, all the machines’ work feels pointless. This comic is a fantastic story, blending clever satire with genuine heart, and is one of the best new releases of 2026.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

PROS CONS
Incredible premise A little bit too long
Fantastic artwork Slightly too much for one issue

If Destruction Be Our Lot Gives Us the Introspective Robotic Abe Lincoln Epic We’ve Been Waiting For

The story of the Rosenbergs and MacDonald unfolds hundreds of years in the future. Abe is an older robot considered outdated and even a bit strange by the new, self-governing society because he isn’t as advanced as others and still possesses human-like traits. His only companion is Bus, a self-aware vehicle who continues to follow her original route, even though there are no passengers left to carry. Their perspective shifts when they reach the edge of a remarkably advanced city and glimpse a world beyond their programmed purpose.

Abe and Bus, tired of their routines of giving historical speeches and sticking to bus schedules, decided to go on an adventure. During their travels, they were shocked to find a human girl – the first one seen in almost 90 years! Their discovery led to a crash and an attempt to report what they’d found, but they quickly learned the authorities already knew about humans. Even more disturbingly, the authorities were erasing the memories of any robot who discovered their existence, and Bus was next.

This Book Takes a Wild Swing and It 1000% Works

I’ve been a fan of Matthew Rosenberg ever since his comic 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank, so I jumped at the chance to read this new book without knowing anything about it. I was hooked almost immediately by what he and the creative team had come up with. I genuinely enjoyed everything about the story. It’s interesting that, at a time when people are wary of artificial intelligence, this book does such a good job of making us connect with characters like Abe. Plus, the character does happen to resemble a very well-known and respected U.S. President.

What really stands out is the writer’s ability to blend humor with thoughtful, complex themes. The story playfully references a famous line from Lincoln while also exploring big ideas like humanity’s role in the universe, the fast-paced development of AI, and the current state of the economy. The first issue packs a lot in, and while some of it might have worked better later on, I enjoyed the way the story unfolded.

I was really impressed with the artwork in this story. The world MacDonald created – a strangely beautiful but decaying future for the robots – and the quick views of what lies beyond were all visually appealing. Even the scary ‘Eaters’ felt incredibly vivid, likely due to Segala’s excellent use of color. The colors themselves did a great job of shifting the mood and energy of each scene. As someone who doesn’t always understand what makes art effective, I especially appreciated the work of the artist and colorist, and I’m excited to see what they do next.

The comic If Destruction Be Our Lot starts with a fun idea: a robot Abraham Lincoln uncovering a huge conspiracy. But it’s much more than just a silly concept. The creators have built a surprisingly heartfelt story about being curious, questioning societal norms, and finding personal meaning. It might not appeal to everyone, but this comic feels truly unique, and I think readers who give it a chance will understand what makes it special.

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2026-05-06 16:42