Locke and Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft

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Locke and Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft (Locke & Key #1)

by Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez (Illustrator)

4.25 of 5 stars 4.25 · rating details · 10,283 ratings · 836 reviews

Locke & Key tells of Keyhouse, an unlikely New England mansion, with fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them.... and home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all... Acclaimed suspense novelist and New York Times best-selling author Joe Hill (Heart-Shaped Box) creates an...more

Hardcover, 158 pages

Published September 29th 2008 by IDW Publishing

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Apr 23, 2012 Stephen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics-graphic-novels, 2006-2010, weird-and-new-weird, horror, gothic

You can color me SOLD on this series.

Here's another intelligent, strongly written story with which to pummel the perceptions of the elitist book snobbers, who sneer and snide at the graphic novel medium.

To them, I politely say, "BITE ME"...because this is great stuff.

I was excited to read this because it was written by Joe Hill, the talented offspring of a certain literary King who shall remain ~~nameless~~ Stephen. While I thought Hill’s Heart-Shaped Box was a promising first work, I really fell...more

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Jan 02, 2012 mark monday rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to mark by: Michael

Shelves: comikon

oooooo.... an eerie old mansion on a woody estate, strange mysteries and dangerous secrets, a tangled and forgotten past, a san francisco family of three - father slain - seeking a new life on an island named Lovecraft off the coast of massachusetts, in a place called The Keyhouse. a beautiful girl who lives at the bottom of a well, an insane killer on the hunt for magical keys, doors that open into odd places, walk through one door and change your gender, walk through another door and turn into...more

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Apr 22, 2012 Lou rated it 5 of 5 stars

Joe hill does it again, conjuring up another tale of dread, macabre and supernatural goings on with a real gem of a main protagonist in the form of a young kid.
The young boy in question loses someone dear to him and only hopes to be with them. Opportunity presents itself in the form of doors and keys, will he be able to unlock another realm of possibilities. Doors play a key role in the everyday swing of things. Stories have been written involving doors opening up to all kinds of opportune choi...more

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Apr 23, 2011 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels, review

The story begins.... hmmm, see that's the thing with this comic - I'm three words into this review and I've already lied to you. I'll try again.
So bad things happen to the Locke family and the survivors move out to a creepy house on an island. Some of the issues focus on one of the kids in particular. They're all traumatised or changed in some way. I think I liked Bode the best. He's the youngest kid.
The opening panel of this book shows a door. There's going to be a lot of doors in this book -...more The story begins.... hmmm, see that's the thing with this comic - I'm three words into this review and I've already lied to you. I'll try again.
So bad things happen to the Locke family and the survivors move out to a creepy house on an island. Some of the issues focus on one of the kids in particular. They're all traumatised or changed in some way. I think I liked Bode the best. He's the youngest kid.
The opening panel of this book shows a door. There's going to be a lot of doors in this book - it's one of the recurring archetypal symbols. So get used to the doors, and the locks, and the keys, and the reflections.
Sometimes you get a comic where either the art or the script is carried by the other. That isn't the case here. Both are great. Joe Hill tells a twisty dark story with well formed characters, good pacing and plenty of mystery and suspense. And Gabriel Rodriguez is just brilliant. I love his use of perspective on this book. Forget limited focal range - there's often stuff going on in the foreground and the background and degrees in-between. I think his brain is hooked up to one of those swoopy camera boom things, trying to get the angle that is best for the shot. Take the opening panels for instance. We can see the two guys at the door are hiding knives and a gun but the panel from Nina Locke's perspective just shows two goofy guys standing half in the doorway. Nina is looking past them at their truck. Full page panel showing Nina's cottage in the background and the truck in the foreground. In the back of the truck is a blood stained tarp covering two bodies. We can see all that - Nina can't. Genius. Ok some of it is directed by Joe Hill (I've seen his original script) but Rodriguez really does a great job of turning his directions into vibrant visuals. You have to read these slow just to make sure you don't miss any of the little details. That butterfly worried me. I still haven't figured out what the hell it signifies.
Tip for reading this book: Don't read it in one sitting. Like a lot of comic book series it wasn't designed to be read all at once. I'm not saying read it one issue a month like its initial publication but at least make it one issue per day. It's a good rule for any serialised comic book. Most of the people who are going to under appreciate this book are the folks who just read it all at once. Take the conclusion to the first issue. It really creeped me out. I was thinking about what had happened to Bode when he went through the doorway all night - I think I even dreamed about it. But if you're the impatient type who doesn't want to live with the characters for a while, puzzle out the mysteries and prolong the suspense, well go ahead and read it all at once - don't let me stop you.(less)

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Jan 23, 2012 Trudi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novel, 2008-reads, joe-hill, fantastical-speculative, series, 2012-reads, family-ties, re-reads, secrets, stephen-king-recommends, love-the-premise, books-i-want-to-marry

This is my second go around with Joe Hill's phenomenal foray into graphic novel territory (to prepare for Volumes 3 and 4). Welcome to Lovecraft is a stunning debut, and I enjoyed it even more this time, so much so that I've bumped it from four to five stars. Yes, it really is that good.

The premise is a fantastic one and you will be totally swept up in the awesome imagination it shows and the mystery and adventure it promises. The character development in just a few short pages is outstanding -...more This is my second go around with Joe Hill's phenomenal foray into graphic novel territory (to prepare for Volumes 3 and 4). Welcome to Lovecraft is a stunning debut, and I enjoyed it even more this time, so much so that I've bumped it from four to five stars. Yes, it really is that good.

The premise is a fantastic one and you will be totally swept up in the awesome imagination it shows and the mystery and adventure it promises. The character development in just a few short pages is outstanding -- Hill deftly explores the wonderment of childhood, the searing pain of grief and the love of family.

Little Bode Locke is as sweet and precocious as they come. His boyish, unchecked curiosity is what reignites the mystery of Key House, the sprawling family mansion where the Locke family relocates after the brutal slaying of its patriarch. Left to grieve are big brother Ty, middle sister Kinsey, their mom, and of course Bode.

Each member of the family struggles to come to terms with the gargantuan loss -- Mom is drinking too much, Ty is crushed with guilt and contemplating suicide, Kinsey is withdrawn and tormented by the bloody memories of that fateful day. With his family so distracted, Bode is left to roam the grounds of Key House, and to become entangled in a very old mystery, like the fly unwittingly ensnared by the spider's web.

Key House is what it promises -- a house with many doors and with many keys to unlock them. I won't tell you what's behind the doors because that would ruin the surprise. I will say that it is so goddamn fantastic you are not going to be able to put this story down until you have finished it. Then you are going to want to run out and immediately get your hands on the rest of the series ... at least what Hill has written so far (and thank goodness he isn't done yet!)

This is storytelling at its finest. Can I use the word superlative? Yes? Alright, superlative.

Original review December 2008
It's becoming clear to me that Joe Hill's real strength as a writer lies in the short story (and now graphic novel) format. There is obviously something about the concise, contained prose on a smaller canvas (rather than the sprawling novel) that brings out the best in his storytelling talents. I was not a fan of Hill's debut novel Heart-Shaped Box; however, his short story collection 20th Century Ghosts has amazing depth and texture, and he scores big again with Locke and Key, the first in a graphic novel series that shows real imagination. Calling the town Lovecraft is a nice touch. Let's not ignore the fantastic artistic contribution made by Gabriel Rodriquez. Their collaboration guarantees a memorable reading experience. (less)

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Jun 01, 2012 Kaethe rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, age-ya, contemporary, death, fantasy, fiction, format-graphic-novel, ghosts, gothic, house-as-character, kids, parenting, ptsd

I like the way of framing bits of the story to have parallels between the past and the present. I like the idea of Keyhouse. What I didn't like is how over-the-top violent it is. High body count. I'll read the next one, but I won't keep on if they're this violent.

Library ~~count~~ copy.

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Apr 23, 2012 Stefan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Welcome to Lovecraft was a solid offering from Joe Hill that has a strong storyline and good artwork, but I didn't feel was up to par with either of his novels. I haven't continued on with the series yet, so I don't know if it will grow on me more as it proceeds but as of this point, I felt that it was above-average, but not great.

The story centers on a mother and her three children who are trying to put their lives back together after losing their husband/father to a maniacal killer. In order t...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Brooke rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was totally awesome. Lots of creepy and disturbing (though not necessarily gory) imagery. My favorite sequence was of a picture of the old wellhouse that had some interesting...changes from panel to panel. The art itself does a lot of the storytelling, in a way that I haven't seen done very often.

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Jan 05, 2012 Stella ☢FAYZ☢ Chen rated it 2 of 5 stars

A less exciting (comic) book than I expected. When I read the concept of this series, man, let's just say I got a little squeamish. It, in fact, sounds like a Neil Gaiman thing. Very Coraline.

The concept of this old mansion with magical doors that can turn who ever walked through them into a ghost or the opposite gender was beyond cool. What disappointed me was:

1. How little actual magic or unearthly concept actually took place in this first volume. I get it is an intro but Joe Hill focused way...more

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Feb 24, 2011 Lyndsey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels, reviewed-2011, reviewed-3-stars

This book was (I imagine) what it might be like to down a spoonful of sugar that was, unbeknownst to you, laced with Meth.

What is IN this shi-at, Mary?!

The sugary spoonful sounds like a great idea in your head. "A house full of strange locks and doors with many keys that perform different astonishing feats. One door that can force your consciousness out of your body, while your body appears to be dead. A special key that can open any door and take you anywhere." Sounds great, right? Unfortunatel...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Mike rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: creator-owned

Wow, this gets off to a very...compelling start. Once I got a few pages in, it was nearly impossible to put down - with a momentum, pacing and writing style that teases you with mysteries and peeks at what came before, and a sense that everyone has a few layers of surprises to reveal.

Our villain has all the markings of tragedy about him - as the layers peel back, it's hard not to feel empathy towards him, even as he makes so many bad choices.

like 4 likes · see review

Sep 27, 2012 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels

Only recently have I started to read Joe Hill, and if it wasn't for a friend on goodreads I would have never known about this series. This was a great collection and I can't wait for what's next.

As a comic book there was a lot of set up and back story to this collection. Since this is only the beginning that is understandable and not a problem for me. Hill handled the reveal of information through out very well. Hill leaves you wanting more and just as I started to get mad that I didn't know mo...more

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May 07, 2013 Kathy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novel, horror, read-in-2012

What can I say except, Joe Hill does it again! Everything I read by him I just absolutely love! I couldn't put this down and can't wait to continue the series! Just one thing....why on earth did it take me so long to get to!!!!

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Mar 29, 2012 Cait rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Cait by: lightreads

Shelves: comics, serial, all-of-my-reviewed-books, a-selection-of-comics-reviews, currently-shelved-livingroom

Creepy, creepy, gorgeous! The scary parts were all in the little details -- the reflections in the water, the knock-knock jokes, the way Bode's hands curled up when he went through the door.... I would very much like more!

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Jun 01, 2012 Ronyell rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of the Locke and Key Series!!

Shelves: action-adventure, alternative-worlds, best-books-of-2012, book-series, books-i-want-to-own, cult-classic, drama, eisner-nominee, family-situations, favorites, fantasy, graphic-novels-comics, horror, my-blog-reviews, mystery, read-in-2012, reviewed-books, surreal, idw-comics, joe-hill

After reading Neil Gaiman’s fantastic “Sandman” series, I never would have thought that there would be another graphic novel that blends horror and mystery perfectly together. But I was wrong as I soon discovered a new graphic novel that does just that called “Locke and Key: Welcome to Lovecraft!” “Locke and Key: Welcome to Lovecraft” is an Eisner Award nominated graphic novel superbly written by Joe Hill along with dramatic artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez and it is definitely a horror/mystery stor...more After reading Neil Gaiman’s fantastic “Sandman” series, I never would have thought that there would be another graphic novel that blends horror and mystery perfectly together. But I was wrong as I soon discovered a new graphic novel that does just that called “Locke and Key: Welcome to Lovecraft!” “Locke and Key: Welcome to Lovecraft” is an Eisner Award nominated graphic novel superbly written by Joe Hill along with dramatic artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez and it is definitely a horror/mystery story that is definitely worth checking out!

The story starts off with three siblings named Tyler, the oldest son, Kinsey, the middle daughter, and Bode, the youngest son and how when they were spending the summer at their family’s home, their father was brutally murdered by two strangers right before their very eyes. After their father’s funeral, Tyler, Kinsey and Bode had a hard time coping with life after their father was killed and they along with their mother who managed to survive the tragedy, decided to move to the city of Lovecraft to leave their old life behind. However, it turns out that the home that Tyler, Bode and Kinsey all moved into is no ordinary home as Bode soon discovers that the house has dark secrets that only he knows about and those secrets will soon change all three siblings’ lives forever!

Words just cannot describe my feelings and my love for this graphic novel! I have never read a comic series that really knows how to blend horror, loss and mystery all into one glorious story that will remain to be an all-time favorite among comic fans! Joe Hill has certainly done a brilliant job at writing this story as it is full of suspense and mystery that will keep you wanting more from the story! I loved the way that Joe Hill focused on how the three siblings Tyler, Kinsey and Bode all deal with the murder of their father and how they all reacted differently to the situation such as Tyler blaming himself for his father’s death, Kinsey not knowing about what to do with her life without her father and Bode, being extremely young, not quite understanding the seriousness of the situation. I felt that knowing what these characters are going through after the tragedy that has taken place really gave them so much depth in their characters and I actually felt sad for Tyler, Kinsey, Bode and their mother as they had to deal with the loss of the person they love so dearly. I also loved the way that Joe Hill brought the supernatural themes into the story without really interrupting the tragedy that the characters were going through as I was practically on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how the keys provide a sort of alternative dimension portable for the characters and I want to see how collecting all the keys to the house would change events for the characters. Gabriel Rodriguez’s artwork is brilliant as the artwork has dark coloring that fits the gloomy mood of this story extremely well. I also loved the way that Gabriel Rodriguez drew the images of the supernatural activities taken place such as the images of characters turning into ghosts and you can see the blue wisps of the characters themselves floating towards the reader.

Ghost

Probably the only issues with this book is that it surprisingly has some really strong language that you would not find in mainstream comic books and that makes it more difficult for younger readers to get to read this story. Also, there are some disturbing moments in this book that not only involves the brutal murder of Tyler, Kinsey and Bode’s father, but also has many scenes of innocent people being killed throughout the book. Also, the supernatural elements such as the characters becoming ghosts might be a bit disturbing.

Overall, “Locke and Key: Welcome to Lovecraft” is a brilliant introduction to the “Locke and Key” series and now that this volume has ended on a huge cliffhanger, I am now looking forward to reading more adventures of Tyler, Bode and Kinsey and will soon be picking up the second volume Locke and Key, Vol. 2: Head Games pretty soon!

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

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Dec 17, 2008 Terry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: cthulhu

Easily the best graphic novel I've read this year. Locke & Key is a disturbing tale about three siblings whose lives are thrown into turmoil after a vicious attack on their parents. Sent to live in Keyhouse, the family home in Lovecraft, MA, Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode try to adapt to their new surroundings, but youngest brother Bode won't give up his delusion that some of the doors in Keyhouse are magical portals if you use the right key.

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Feb 16, 2009 Donald rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, graphic-novels

I picked this up because after reading 20th Century Ghosts and Heart Shaped Box, I was in for all things Joe. But this is a graphic novel, a comic, a cartoon. Yeah, I know I'm overly pragmatic. Please don't cringe like that, we call 'garbagemen' sanitation engineers in this brave new PC world of ours.

First, as a printer/one who prints, I can appreciate the amount of ink required to put this together. Nice print job (although I'm really upset that it was printed in Korea) and the satin ribbon pla...more

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Sep 02, 2012 The Flooze rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic_novel, urban-fantasy-paranormal, vanquished_2010, favorites, ghastly_innit, owned, vanquished_2012

Welcome to Lovecraft is a thrilling mix of mystery, magic, and terror.

Starting with a home invasion, Locke & Key proves Hill and Rodriguez have no qualms about putting their characters in harm’s way. Bloody and devastating, the opening scenes lead to huge changes in the lives of the Locke children, including a cross-country move to their family’s ancestral home. Though they’re hoping for a fresh start and a safe haven, all they get are more complications.

Keyhouse, located in Lovecraft, MA,...more Welcome to Lovecraft is a thrilling mix of mystery, magic, and terror.

Starting with a home invasion, Locke & Key proves Hill and Rodriguez have no qualms about putting their characters in harm’s way. Bloody and devastating, the opening scenes lead to huge changes in the lives of the Locke children, including a cross-country move to their family’s ancestral home. Though they’re hoping for a fresh start and a safe haven, all they get are more complications.

Keyhouse, located in Lovecraft, MA, is a wondrous place filled with secrets. Strange doors exist around every turn, and while the rest of the family settles in, young Bode can’t help but explore his surroundings. What he finds are keys. Old, ornate keys capable of transforming doors into magical portals. It’s a great concept. Who among us hasn’t been fascinated by the possibilities lurking behind a locked door?

Bode’s adventures are offset by Ty and Kinsey’s attempts to cope with loss. Neither are keen on discussing what’s happened. Kinsey, always a standout at her old school, makes a point of flying under the radar so other kids won’t ask her to recount the horrors she's witnessed. Ty, perhaps the most fleshed-out character, chooses to throw himself into exhaustive tasks while dealing with an enormous sense of guilt. I appreciated that Hill touched on the grief each one was feeling. It made the characters all the more believable and quickly established their personalities.

Rodriguez’s art perfectly complements the story. Done in muted colors, every panel includes an incredible amount of detail. I especially like his use of reflective surfaces to show what lurks behind the masks people present to the world. This device is used to great effect with Ty, whether he’s imagining himself in Goth-gear before the tragedy, or covered in blood after.

My favorite panels span two or three pages, where Ty is seated alone in a hall with doors open on either side. Through one, we can see people milling about after a funeral. Through the other, we can see and hear a conversation Ty is remembering from years before. It’s a perfectly illustrated example of those moments you experience after a death, when you are in the present, yet not. When during the quiet spells, you can’t help but recall things long forgotten.

Welcome to Lovecraft is a fabulous debut to the series. It hits all the right notes in terms of characterization and action, with a hefty dose of intrigue as more of the house’s secrets are revealed. Plus, the villain is a manipulative one rather than an in-your-face type of baddie--infinitely more enjoyable because her identity adds yet another layer of mystery goodness. I’ve already started reading the second volume, and I can’t wait for the third to come out in August!

*read: 7/15/2010
*re-read 9/2/2012
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The Flooze Birthday present, huh? Address noted! And I love how, on the map of your current address, the 7-11 is clearly marked. An important landmark indeed. :p...more
Jul 14, 2010 09:37pm

The Flooze Shannon wrote: "And yes, I hate dirty smelly fat people on planes! I got lucky on the way down because there was an empty row behind me and the guy in...more
Jul 14, 2010 09:44pm

May 12, 2013 Carl Ingebretsen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've been wanting to read this for a little while. This weekend, I finally did, and it was not what I expected. The art is very good, the story is highly original, and keeps you interested. I have already ordered Volume 2; I can't wait to see what happens next. This is a highly original story, with believable characters and a mysterious mystery.

The art is wonderful, the storytelling is great and the story itself is pretty damn good. If you like comics at all, you should read it. If you like hor...more

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Oct 03, 2010 Colleen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics, horror-esque

Good story and good art. I like the characters, especially Bode, and am totally intrigued as to the deal with the keys, Echo, and what the he'll is going on. Strong opening, and I'm definitely hooked.

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Jun 21, 2011 Blair rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 16-in-16

I am giving this a temporary rating. I feel kind of re same way after finishing this as I did after my first viewing of Kill Bill volume 1. This has some great ideas, a solid storyline but the non-linear progression is confusing and unless it is tied together neatly with the following volume(s), it may just be potential without any resolution. For a graphic novel, it is beautiful and engaging visually. I could have done without the truck driver part but that is very Stephen King-like in a way. B...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Oswego Public Library District added it

Shelves: graphic-novel

Excellent adult graphic novel complete with a strong story line, vivid artwork, and a cliffhanger at the end that strongly makes the reader want to acquire the second volume (of 5). The suspenseful plot is actually quite complex and the emotions are clearly delineated. Horror fiction author Joe Hill is the son of author Stephen King and some of the elements we have come to expect in both authors are included here: violence and an eerie sense of impending evil. Even with the menacing atmosphere,...more

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Feb 06, 2013 David Schaafsma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gn-superhero-scifi-fantasy

Horror story, great story by Joe Hill and great art to complement by Gabriel Rodriquez. I am not really a horror fan but this hooked me by focusing on the devastated Locke family that has to recover (and doesn't handle well, in each their own screwed up ways) the murder of their father. Of course they move into a perfect horror site, a dark and stormy mansion named KeyHouse with lots of secret rooms, each with a key and separate identity. Great dialogue, and real characters, not just gore though...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Ottery StCatchpole rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really didn't want to like this book. I'm not a big fan of horror, and my librarian had suggested this title and I checked it out after putting a hold on it and having to wait. Needless to say, with all the books I did want to read, I ignored this title and before long someone else put a hold on it and it was goodbye Locke and Key. Lo and behold, my stepson had been the one to put the hold on the book or something because eventually it ended up in his possession. He always lets me peruse his m...more I really didn't want to like this book. I'm not a big fan of horror, and my librarian had suggested this title and I checked it out after putting a hold on it and having to wait. Needless to say, with all the books I did want to read, I ignored this title and before long someone else put a hold on it and it was goodbye Locke and Key. Lo and behold, my stepson had been the one to put the hold on the book or something because eventually it ended up in his possession. He always lets me peruse his manga and his library books (he's responsible for my love of Chocolat) and I saw that he had it, so I borrowed it and decided to give it a read.
To begin with, the artwork is beautiful. It truly is very nice to look at a comic book where I don't have to turn a book upside down or on its side to try to understand exactly what is happening in a panel. The artwork is straight up nice line work without any fancy paneling and it helps to convey the story clearly and beautifully. Its a horrid little tale, full of violence and dark drama, but what would you expect from a horror title? It begins with a very violent murder and it hints at darker things and the story progresses following the family that has survived the harrowing experience.
It soon delves into the supernatural in a story by a very gifted writer, that tells of an evil spirit that wants to be free again. Suffice to say a lot of dark things happen in this story, characters change and grow from young innocents to more mature individuals, and of course the kid who murdered their parents escapes and comes back to finish off his promise, releasing the evil spirit that set him on his dark course.
I did not give this book a quick read, as I might with some comics, but rather took my time savoring the tension and the nail biting scenes, of which there are many in the book. Suffice to say I recommend reading it at night and alone, and also over a couple of days because the suspense will keep you wondering, and worried. Nothing I expect to happen happens and some of the twists are actually kind of cool. It does end with the promise of more dark horror and fantasy involving the keys and the house so . . . I'm off to start volume two and I am definitely adding this to my collection, though I'm not a large fan of horror. I heartily recommend this book. Try it, if its too gory or distasteful after reading the first chapter then stop, but if you don't mind violence and sex, then this comic, which is definitely adult or older teen depending on the adolescent's maturity makes for a scary good and suspenseful read.(less)

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Jan 12, 2013 Sandi rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, horror

I have never read a graphic novel. Ever. Since my wonderful husband gave me a Nook HD for Christmas, I thought this would be a good time to try one. I chose Locke and Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft because it was only four bucks and because I love Joe Hill's novels and short stories. My two star rating has very little to do with the book itself and everything to do with my inability to actually read a graphic novel. I suspect the story is actually very good and the art is terrific.

My failing...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Subroto rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels-comics

Joe Hill does not need literary devices (though he uses a lot of them) nor story telling tricks (though the story moves in space as well as in time every some time) nor great art (which is very good in this case).

Joe Hill's writing reminds you that at some times writing / creativity is just a gift - some have it and some don't.

Joe Has it in truck loads. His building up of suspense so much so that a 32 year old guy like me who is used to reading horror novels for kicks is scared turning pages of...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Dale Philbrick rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics-graphic-novels

This is the first storyline/mini-series in the Locke & Key comic book series. I've been reading the single issues and catching up on the entire series. I really enjoy the whole series and this one is a great beginning to this gothic/horror story of the Locke family. Joe Hill (son of Stephen King) has created a compelling set of characters in the Locke children who witness the murder of their father at the hands of a crazy fellow student (Sam Lesser) at their high school (where the Locke fath...more

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Oct 22, 2012 MissAnnThrope rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, comics, graphic-novel, library-book, wish-list, reading-again, mystery, magic, ghosts, fantasy, favorite-graphic-novels

Holy scheisse! Locke and Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft has me completely awestruck. The macabre story is perfectly paired with the hauntingly beautiful artwork. There hasn't been a more perfect partnership since peanut butter met jelly.

Joe HIll and Gabriel Rodriguez have masterfully crafted a graphic novel that blends loss, horror, and mysticism in an unnerving story that will have you addicted. It is amazing how well-developed these characters already are. What many graphic novels do in se...more

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Aug 21, 2012 Joell Smith-Borne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics-graphic-novels, horror

Wow. I am in love with this series. I got the first 4 trades in the series (I think there are only 5 so far) and read them all in 3 days or so. Just amazing story telling. The art is clear--not too many panels where you stare and stare, trying to figure out what on earth is happening. But lots of panels where you stare and stare, noticing details and wondering what they mean.... I really like the Locke family, so damaged and yet still trying so hard to take care of each other, to keep building n...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Nicholas Karpuk rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When I went to the exhibition floor at the San Diego Comic Con 2012 my girlfriend wondered why I didn't take more interest in the long rows full of comic book artists signing and selling their work. I kept looking in that direction and after a while realized I almost never take note of who actually draws most of the comics I read. As long as the art reaches a certain benchmark of quality and efficiency, I'm normally just focused on the story it conveys.

Gabriel Rodriguez stands out because his de...more

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About Joe Hill

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Joseph Hillstrom King (born 1972) is an American writer of fiction, writing under the pen name of Joe Hill.

Hill is the the second child of authors Stephen King and Tabitha King. His younger brother Owen King is also a writer. He has three children.

Hill's first book, the lim...more

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title link	preview: Locke and Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft
avg rating	preview: Locke and Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft Goodreads rating: 4.25 (10283 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3217221-locke-and-key-vol-1?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327921403l/3217221.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3217221-locke-and-key-vol-1?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Locke and Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill[/url]

Locke and Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft (Locke & Key #1)

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