book data
218 ratings,
4.14
average rating, 53 reviews
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published
September 29th 2008
by IDW Publishing
binding
Hardcover, 158 pages
literary awards
Nominated for the British Fantasy Award for Best Comic/Graphic Novel
isbn
1600102379
(isbn13: 9781600102370)
description
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 ...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 330)
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1 star (2)
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avg 4.14
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in December, 2008
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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recommended to Cait by:
lightreads
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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Read in February, 2009
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 sati...more
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 sati...more
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Read in April, 2009
I read this in one sitting. I was concerned that this would require some knowledge of H.P. Lovecraft (haven't read anything of his yet), but it seemed like the connection was mostly inspiration. I still haven't read Heart-Shaped Box, but I'm looking forward to it after reading this. I found this title (and a few others) at random browsing through Amazon's horror graphic novel section.
The story follows the Locke family, who have moved across the country to the Keyhouse after the mu...more
The story follows the Locke family, who have moved across the country to the Keyhouse after the mu...more
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Read in October, 2008
Although I got this comic due to the mention of Lovecraft in the title, thinking it would have something to do with the mythos. My only criticism of the book is that it didn't deliver on that expectation. Other than that I really enjoyed reading about the Locke family in their strange new home. I love the idea of different keys and doors hidden around a house that can do different things. The characters are all pretty interesting, and for single comic book there is a lot of character develop...more
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Read in 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 gr...more
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Read in May, 2009
As one of my most anticipated graphic novel for quite some time, "Locke & Key" by Joe Hill (writer) and Gabriel Rodriguez (artist) did not disappoint. Not at all.
The characters created by Joe Hill are carefully developed and masterfully crafted that it is very easy to get sucked into their world, to sympathize with the Locke family, to become spooked and awed by the mystery and inhabitant of the Keyhouse, and to get scared by the horror spread by the murderous Sam Lesser. T...more
The characters created by Joe Hill are carefully developed and masterfully crafted that it is very easy to get sucked into their world, to sympathize with the Locke family, to become spooked and awed by the mystery and inhabitant of the Keyhouse, and to get scared by the horror spread by the murderous Sam Lesser. T...more
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Genuinely creepy and suspenseful horror story with just the right dose of mystery and dark fantasy elements. The Locke siblings are likable and realistic protagonists, and I found myself heavily invested in their fates pretty much from the jump. Hill makes great use of the flashback structure, and I seriously dig Rodriguez's expressive artwork. Best of all, the magical world that they create seems fully developed, with its own internal logic and multi-layered history. I look forward to find...more
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Read in February, 2009
Locke Key Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft is outstanding, a comics series in which Hill and Rodriguez deftly interlace gnarly bloodshed with the realm of the supernatural in a captivating spook story. I loved it for being beautifully illustrated, and I loved how intriguingly frightening it was, frightening in a way that made me glance over my shoulder from time to time. The baddies came across as deceptive and despicable, and I found myself rooting like a madman for the sympathetic heroes. I ca...more
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Not a fan of this comic, although I have been enjoying most of Joe Hill's work. For me, the art really sunk the book. Gabriel Rodriguez is an excellent cartoonist, with a unique style and an interesting approach to panel design. But the cuteness of his style instantly neutralizes any horror the script might have (and it could use a lot more). Give me the old sinister style that existed in books like Creepy and Tales From the Crypt. I think Rodriguez' art is reassuring rather than sisnister. Lock...more
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Read in April, 2009
recommended to An by:
Mandyrecommends it for: lovers of the graphic novel/horror genre
This is a stunning graphic novel. I find that often one aspect overwhelms the other (illustration vs. writing) but Hill & Rodriquez layer well formed narration and dialogue with richly laced plot elements inside the panels. It is the first time I actually received a true sense of horror/chills from a work of this genre. Rodriquez does an excellent job of the old adage, "show, not tell."
I look forward to the release of Vol.2: Head Games.
I agree with the introd...more
I look forward to the release of Vol.2: Head Games.
I agree with the introd...more
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Read in January, 2008
I just wrote a review but apparently it disappeared. Ok, sum up: it was good. I want to see where the plot is going. I think people who are especially keen on the mystery of locked doors and the almost magical property of keys, will be intrigued by this book. Although, I had hoped it would have been creepier, but this is mainly due to my misinterpretation of Lovecraft (me thinking it meant H.P., but really its just the name of the town).
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Read in February, 2009
I really enjoyed this graphic novel - very dark, very intense - and I have all sorts of questions about what's going on, and the next volume isn't even being released until August!!
Anyhow, 3 children see their Dad murdered and it all ties back in to some sort of evil in the house, Lovecraft, that their dad grew up in. However, this is much, much more than a haunted house book.
Anyhow, 3 children see their Dad murdered and it all ties back in to some sort of evil in the house, Lovecraft, that their dad grew up in. However, this is much, much more than a haunted house book.
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This was kind of awesome. Horror in comics is a tricky proposition. "Boo!" scares don't really work, and scary monsters don't have the same effect as their theatrical counterparts, so what does that leave? Suspense. Locke & Key has that covered.
Good art + good story + nice pacing = a very solid horror comic. I look forward to reading the rest of the story...whenever it comes out.
Good art + good story + nice pacing = a very solid horror comic. I look forward to reading the rest of the story...whenever it comes out.
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Read in May, 2009
Great writing, great art. I'm looking forward to picking up the next volume. Also, after reading the story I glanced back through, noticed the dedication to Tabitha King and realized that Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. Apparently, he's trying to downplay the family name, understandably. Hill's certainly earned a read on his own merit with this one.
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This was a fantastic first graphic novel for Joe Hill. He is quickly climbing to the top of my favorite authors list (right next to his father). I am not really a fan of this type of illustration- Gabriel Rodriguez... it almost takes away from the story. But I am very much looking forward to the next installation of this series.
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Read in May, 2009
A genuinely spooky read, but left me with too many unanswered questions (I know it's a series set up, but still!) and a little too grim. I reviewed this for my teen collection but actually ended up recommending it for adult -- a first for me and my collection that has a whole run of Preacher!
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I am not a fan of graphic novels, but have been a fan of Joe Hill. The art was great and added much to the book. The writing was good, though I felt that there was not as much depth, but maybe that will be in the next of the series. I liked it well enough to read the next one.
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Read in January, 2009
I'm starting to think that Joe Hill is better at writing truly creepy novels than his dad (Stephen King). I only wish volume two of this superbly written and stunningly illustrated graphic novel was out now because I'm dying (Ha! Pun intended.) to know what happens.
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Read in January, 2009
Thoughtful characters and a story as intricately woven as it is vibrantly illustrated. Joe Hill creates (or brilliantly continues?) a world for which his work can prosper and grow from. I'm truly excited to read the next installment of Locke & Key.
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