In the vast landscape of speculative fiction, few works have carved out a niche as distinct and haunting as C.M. Kosemen's All Tomorrows. This illustrated chronicle of humanity's far-future evolution, or rather, its myriad forced transformations by alien overlords, is more than just a book; it's a thought experiment that lingers in the mind. Its unique blend of hard science, biological horror, and profound philosophical inquiry has resonated deeply with readers, creating a ripple effect that connects it to a diverse array of other creative works. From paleontology to punk rock, the spirit of All Tomorrows finds echoes in unexpected places.
The Speculative Biology Family: All Yesterdays and Beyond
To fully appreciate All Tomorrows, one must look at its conceptual sibling, All Yesterdays: Unique and Speculative Views of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals. Co-authored by Kosemen, this work applies the same imaginative, "what-if" lens to the ancient past. While All Tomorrows projects humanity forward into a terrifying evolutionary kaleidoscope, All Yesterdays reimagines dinosaurs in behaviors and appearances beyond the fossil record. Together, they form the twin pillars of modern speculative biology, challenging our perceptions of life's narrative. This fascinating comparison is explored in depth in the blog post All Yesterdays vs. All Tomorrows: Speculative Biology's Twin Masterpieces.
Cosmic Horror: From Lovecraftian Manga to Giger's Nightmares
The existential dread permeating All Tomorrows is a direct descendant of the cosmic horror tradition. The helplessness of humanity against incomprehensible, universe-spanning forces is a core theme shared with the works of H.P. Lovecraft. This connection is made visually stunning in adaptations like H.P. Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu (Manga), which translates the same sense of insignificance into graphic form. For more on this thematic link, see All Tomorrows & Lovecraftian Horror: Exploring Cosmic Dread in Manga.
Perhaps no artist visually complements the biomechanical terror of All Tomorrows better than H.R. Giger. The nightmarish fusion of organic and mechanical forms in Giger's art, perfectly captured in the comprehensive HR Giger. 45th Ed., mirrors the grotesque, engineered transformations of humanity in Kosemen's work. Both explore a profound horror of the body remade, a theme central to evolutionary horror. A dedicated guide to this synergy can be found in the article All Tomorrows & HR Giger: A Guide to Sci-Fi's Evolutionary & Biomechanical Nightmares.
Gaming the Apocalypse: All Tomorrows Zombies
The apocalyptic fiction and monstrous transformations of All Tomorrows naturally lend themselves to the tabletop role-playing genre. Eden Studios brilliantly bridged this gap with the supplement All Flesh Must be Eaten: All Tomorrows Zombies. This horror RPG sourcebook allows players and Game Masters to bring the haunting, post-human creatures from Kosemen's universe into the popular All Flesh Must Be Eaten system. It's a testament to the book's expansive lore that it can support an entire game setting. For a detailed review and guide to this unique supplement, check out All Tomorrows Zombies: A Sci-Fi Horror RPG Supplement Review & Guide.
Literary and Musical Echoes: Parties, Families, and Fiends
The phrase "All Tomorrows" itself echoes through other titles, each exploring different facets of time and existence. William Gibson's All Tomorrow's Parties, the finale of his Bridge Trilogy, is a cornerstone of cyberpunk fiction, examining a near-future saturated with technology and corporate control—a different kind of transformation for humanity. Conversely, provides the definitive biography of the iconic 1960s band, The Velvet Underground, whose song inspired Gibson's title. This exploration of rock history and counterculture is another thread in the rich tapestry of works connected by this evocative phrase. Meanwhile, a title like All Tomorrows so compelling.
The legacy of All Tomorrows is a testament to the power of a truly original idea. It sits at a unique crossroads, inspiring discussions in paleontology through All Yesterdays, fueling nightmares alongside Giger and Lovecraft, powering horror RPG adventures, and echoing in the titles of literary fiction and music history. It is more than a book; it's a cultural touchstone for anyone fascinated by the terrifying, beautiful, and utterly strange possibilities of tomorrow.