The term All Tomorrows has evolved from the title of a singular, mind-bending work of speculative evolution into a cultural touchstone for a specific brand of science fiction horror. At its core, C.M. Kosemen's (writing as Nemo Ramjet) All Tomorrows: The Myriad Species and Mixed Fortunes of Man presents a billion-year future history of humanity, genetically manipulated by alien overlords into a panoply of bizarre and often tragic post-human species. This foundational text didn't just tell a story; it created an entire aesthetic and philosophical framework for exploring evolutionary horror and cosmic insignificance.
The Speculative Biology Family: All Yesterdays and Beyond
Kosemen's vision is part of a broader movement in speculative biology. His earlier collaboration, All Yesterdays: Unique and Speculative Views of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals, applies a similar imaginative lens to the past. While All Tomorrows asks "what could humanity become?", All Yesterdays challenges our rigid reconstructions of dinosaurs, proposing behaviors and appearances beyond the fossil evidence. Together, they form twin pillars of thought-provoking biological fiction, encouraging readers to question the limits of life's forms. For a deeper comparison, the blog post All Yesterdays vs. All Tomorrows: Speculative Biology's Twin Masterpieces offers excellent analysis.
Cosmic Horror: From Lovecraft to Giger
The existential dread permeating All Tomorrows finds clear lineage in the works of H.P. Lovecraft. The themes of humanity's fragility in a vast, uncaring universe are masterfully adapted in H.P. Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu (Manga), which visualizes the classic tale of cosmic dread. This connection is explored in detail in the article All Tomorrows & Lovecraftian Horror: Exploring Cosmic Dread in Manga. Furthermore, the biomechanical nightmares of the alien "Qu" in All Tomorrows evoke the iconic art of H.R. Giger. The HR Giger. 45th Ed. is an essential art book for understanding the visual language of body horror that influences so much of this genre.
Gaming the Apocalypse: All Tomorrows Zombies
The concepts of All Tomorrows have even infiltrated the tabletop role-playing world. All Flesh Must be Eaten: All Tomorrows Zombies is a supplement for the horror RPG All Flesh Must Be Eaten by Eden Studios. It allows players to experience the terror of the Star People's fate or create campaigns around other post-human horrors from Kosemen's universe. This blend of speculative evolution and survival horror is perfect for gamers seeking a deep, philosophical challenge. A practical guide can be found in All Tomorrows Zombies: A Sci-Fi Horror RPG Supplement Review & Guide.
Literary and Musical Echoes of "Tomorrow"
The phrase "All Tomorrows" resonates beyond speculative biology. In literature, it appears in titles exploring time and human connection, like All the Tomorrows After, an emotional novel and family saga. In science fiction, William Gibson's All Tomorrow's Parties is the culminating volume of his cyberpunk Bridge Trilogy, a All Tomorrow's Parties: William Gibson's Bridge Trilogy Finale Explained delves into its themes. Finally, the phrase is forever tied to the Velvet Underground, immortalized in the definitive All Tomorrow's Parties: The Velvet Underground Story, a key music biography for understanding 1960s Music and counterculture.
From the foundational terror of C.M. Kosemen's original vision to its echoes in manga, graphic novels, apocalyptic fiction, and music history, the concept of All Tomorrows serves as a powerful lens. It compels us to confront the vast possibilities of future humanity, the aesthetic of horror in art, and the enduring human questions about identity, legacy, and our place in the cosmos. Whether through the direct lineage of the book or the thematic connections in other media, exploring this universe is a journey into the deepest questions—and fears—about what lies ahead.