New York Times bestselling writer Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez, the creators behind the acclaimed Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft, retur...
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Jun 01, 2011
Michael
rated it: 
The second chapter in Joe Hill's brilliant dark magical mystery. The Locke kids have survived the traumas of book one but in this one the threat is far more insidious. They have a viper in their midst disguised as Tyler Locke's new best school friend Zack Wells. Zack is the mysterious creature Bode met trapped in the well house in book one. He's a nasty piece of work too, ruthlessly murdering or manipulating anyone who can unmask him. Hill creates great characters with complex history and psycho
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Aug 24, 2011
Tabitha
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After such a winning first volume, I usually worry that the second installment will slow, backtrack or otherwise just not be good enough.
With this series though, not only was I not particularly worried about that, but honestly, I tore through the second one too quickly to register much of a break in reading.
The plot flows cleanly and expands on the solid foundation set up in the first book, and Rodriguez's artwork continues to be a lovely addition to the telling of the tale. I notice More...
With this series though, not only was I not particularly worried about that, but honestly, I tore through the second one too quickly to register much of a break in reading.
The plot flows cleanly and expands on the solid foundation set up in the first book, and Rodriguez's artwork continues to be a lovely addition to the telling of the tale. I notice More...
Jun 27, 2011
Cornerofmadness
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jun 07, 2011
M0rningstar
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This rating might be a little unfair, since I started the series with this volume, and not volume 1. However, it was easy enough to piece together what happened in the previous arc with the ample clues and flashbacks in this book, so I don't think that detracted too much from the story.
The biggest problem with this volume is that, even though it is supposed to contain its own, full arc, the plot just didn't advance far enough or fast enough to keep one's attention. Furthermore, the ch More...
The biggest problem with this volume is that, even though it is supposed to contain its own, full arc, the plot just didn't advance far enough or fast enough to keep one's attention. Furthermore, the ch More...
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May 12, 2011
Julie
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Joe Ridgeway thinks he’s seeing a ghost, as he watches Tyler Locke walking down the hall with the new student, one who looks eerily like… But that can’t be, ‘cause he died some twenty years ago. Back when Tyler’s dad was a student. In fact he was Rendell Locke’s goodest and bestest buddy, Lucas Caravaggio. So who is this Zack—and why is he staying with Ellie Whedon?
Lucas/Zach tells Ellie they have problems—he’s pretty sure their old drama sponsor recognizes him. It’s a simple enough m More...
Lucas/Zach tells Ellie they have problems—he’s pretty sure their old drama sponsor recognizes him. It’s a simple enough m More...
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Apr 22, 2011
Karissa
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This is the second full length graphic novel in the Locke and Key series. The fourth installation, Keys to the Kingdom, is due out this June. This was an excellent continuation of the series. The drawings are fantastic and the plot is complex, creepy and engaging.
In this book the Locke kids are just trying to make it through school. They've become involved with the "new kid" Luke, who looks mysteriously familiar to some of the older members of the community. Meanwhile Bo More...
In this book the Locke kids are just trying to make it through school. They've become involved with the "new kid" Luke, who looks mysteriously familiar to some of the older members of the community. Meanwhile Bo More...
Feb 09, 2011
Keely
rated it:
Well, I was hoping that if I kept on with the series, I'd get used to the art, but unfortunately not. Giant chins and tiny, lipless mouths everywhere. And everyone looks like a pallid corpse thanks to the questionable choice of shading all fleshtones with an unsaturated grey. It's just not pretty.
And I don't think it's some deliberate attempt at disquieting horror art, either, because low-saturation isn't the way to make unsettlingly corpselike characters. There's a whole palette of More...
And I don't think it's some deliberate attempt at disquieting horror art, either, because low-saturation isn't the way to make unsettlingly corpselike characters. There's a whole palette of More...
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Dec 10, 2009
Di
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The late H.P. Lovecraft's stories are horror classics. He created an entire mythology (often referred to as the Mythos or the Cthulhu Mythos) filled with monsters, throwbacks, and non-Euclidean geometry. He then opened his world up, inviting other authors to play in his sandbox. And play they did. I came late to the fandom, but I'm here now. Which is why I know that, if you're looking for a place to start fresh, you don't want to go to a town called Lovecraft. That's what the Locke family does i
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Jun 06, 2011
Mark
rated it:
The plot becomes even more interesting with this book. One of my favorite approaches that Joe Hill takes with his story is interweaving the past with the present. Back story can be a tricky thing. What I like about Hill's is that not only are the back stories essential to the plot, but they interesting and informative. Honestly, they're some of my favorite sections of the graphic novel.
My favorite character is Bode. He makes the story rich. He's fun and imaginative. His curiosity gets More...
My favorite character is Bode. He makes the story rich. He's fun and imaginative. His curiosity gets More...
Feb 12, 2012
mark
rated it:
ooooo..... more eerie adventures on that strange island in that creepy Key House with that poor, haunted family. wonderful! this volume is as strong as the first, which is a real accomplishment. while the first volume was focused on introducing the family and the reader to this world of wonder & terror - introducing a handful of magical keys, throwing out a few hints of the incredible backstory, setting up a confrontation between the family and both a dreadful psycho & creepy spirit villain - th
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Jan 27, 2011
Jacki
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Summary: The plot thickens for the Locke children when little Bode finds a key that lets him open his head and display his memories. Meanwhile, the mysterious evil known as Dodge ingratiates himself further with family members while continuing to spin a web of murder and manipulation.
Verdict: Welcome to Lovecraft it's not.
Yay!: The head key is an interesting device and leads to some neat drawings. In Dodge's hands, it's a dangerous weapon. Some scary mayhem continues and More...
Verdict: Welcome to Lovecraft it's not.
Yay!: The head key is an interesting device and leads to some neat drawings. In Dodge's hands, it's a dangerous weapon. Some scary mayhem continues and More...
Jan 20, 2012
Jean-Pierre
rated it:
Delving deeper into the mysteries and history of Key House proves even more riveting and shocking than the introduction to Hill and Rodriguez's horror comic was. Here, Zack Wells, our lady in the well turned teenage enigma hogs the spotlight. He gives us more clues about the history of what's really going on with the house, and does some serious damage along the way. These clues, of course, don't spell it all out for us. They just tease us enough to want to keep reading. Another nice tease
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Sep 09, 2011
Jason
rated it:
The second volume in this addictive series, HEAD GAMES, is focused more on character & plot development. We learn more about the secondary characters--focusing on their backgrounds--& how they fit within the scheme of things (are they in on the history/ mystery of the keys? Zack? etc.). It has a lot of cool reveals & does an excellent job of making the reader wanting to come back for more.
But as far as where the story is going to end, there just isn't any evidence of it. From wh More...
But as far as where the story is going to end, there just isn't any evidence of it. From wh More...
Feb 15, 2011
Bludhaven
rated it:
I really wish I'd find the art more compelling. It's complementing the story just fine, but the lines and the angular faces especially of the male characters are just not to my taste.
But the slow developing of the story did appeal to me. This time the violence isn't as shocking and there is only one new key introduced (the Head Key - unlocks exactly what it says). While Zack Wells befriends the three Locke siblings to get closer to the keys, the children discover how to use the new key More...
But the slow developing of the story did appeal to me. This time the violence isn't as shocking and there is only one new key introduced (the Head Key - unlocks exactly what it says). While Zack Wells befriends the three Locke siblings to get closer to the keys, the children discover how to use the new key More...
Mar 06, 2010
Jared
rated it:
Now see, this is more like it. With the obligatory "introduction" volume out of the way, Hill is now free to play around more with this twisted little world he's created. And since Hill's a smart writer, he knows that there are scarier things than killing people.
It was established in Vol.1 that there are a multitude of magic keys, each with their own power. Head Games focuses on one in particular: a key that lets its user open their own head to add and/or remove anything More...
It was established in Vol.1 that there are a multitude of magic keys, each with their own power. Head Games focuses on one in particular: a key that lets its user open their own head to add and/or remove anything More...
Jan 18, 2012
Jessica at Book Sake
rated it:
Locke and Key volume 2 adds more background to the story as well as more excitement. There’s really nothing new with the artwork but that’s fine, its good the way it is. With the addition of new keys there are more opportunities for exciting stories and unexpected twists. I like the ideas of them adding in a new key or two every volume to keep it fresh and new. I definitely like this book a lot more than the first as it clears up things and makes it easier to understand.
Reviewed by Kole fo More...
Reviewed by Kole fo More...
May 25, 2010
Heine
rated it:
I encourage anyone to read Locke & Key. A suspense/horror/thriller book based around just two words: locks and keys. It can go anywhere.
Add to that, that the Locke family feels real to me, especially after what they go through...
I must admit that it was Joe Hill's writing that grabbed me in the first volume,
and he doesn't slow down in "Head Games", but the art of Gabriel Rodriguez made me fall in love with this volume.
There are small More...
Add to that, that the Locke family feels real to me, especially after what they go through...
I must admit that it was Joe Hill's writing that grabbed me in the first volume,
and he doesn't slow down in "Head Games", but the art of Gabriel Rodriguez made me fall in love with this volume.
There are small More...
Jan 30, 2012
Hayden
rated it:
Picking up where Welcome To Lovecraft left off, the sequel introduced a really cool premise, but it didn't really do it for me as much as the first volume did. I also felt that it was a little too short, which is weird, because I think this one has a larger page count than the first volume. It didn't really cover a whole lot of ground, and when I got to the end of the final chapter, I was just kind of left thinking, "Damn, that's it?". But make no mistake, this was still a great entry,
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Jan 20, 2012
Sam
rated it:
Vague Spoilers!!
The conceit of this volume revolves around a special key that allows the user to unlock their own minds. Inside, they may add to their persona, subtract memories, or otherwise alter things at will. It's a brilliant storytelling tool that allows Hill to change anything about his characters on a whim, while adding to the L&K mythos, without suspending our disbelief any more than we already are. This book focused on the minor characters, letting us get to know them bette More...
The conceit of this volume revolves around a special key that allows the user to unlock their own minds. Inside, they may add to their persona, subtract memories, or otherwise alter things at will. It's a brilliant storytelling tool that allows Hill to change anything about his characters on a whim, while adding to the L&K mythos, without suspending our disbelief any more than we already are. This book focused on the minor characters, letting us get to know them bette More...
Oct 24, 2011
Mary
rated it:
I'm a little in love with this series. I was reading this for Readers' Advisory, but then decided to use it for my booktalk as well, since it fit with the theme I settled on. As I continue into this series I'm seeing more how it's YA. That first book is just so violent and dark, but then I guess that's what these kids go for these days. This one gets more into the themes of magic that only kids and teens can see. Once you get older, you see it, but it doesn't register as anything magical.
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May 18, 2010
Jeff
rated it:
I found the first volume in this series to be a bit rough and was especially put off with the level of violence that took place before the reader was given any kind of knowledge about the characters. Here, the violence is done for the sake of character, which is great. I didn't find it as off-putting as in the opening scenes of the first volume.
Hill and Rodriguez are really doing great things with the visuals in this book. Hill isn't overwriting and is allowing Rodriguez's art to con More...
Hill and Rodriguez are really doing great things with the visuals in this book. Hill isn't overwriting and is allowing Rodriguez's art to con More...
Nov 21, 2011
Bookstorequeer
rated it:
I love this volume even more than the first volume! The full-page spreads are amazing and the way the different time periods all fit together is so well done.
<spoiler>The plot of this book seems more coherent to me. The overall plot of the series is greatly expanded, explained and carried forward in this volume. I devoured it!
And I like that there was a little less violence in this volume, as well. It made it more of a psychological thriller rather than a shock-and- More...
<spoiler>The plot of this book seems more coherent to me. The overall plot of the series is greatly expanded, explained and carried forward in this volume. I devoured it!
And I like that there was a little less violence in this volume, as well. It made it more of a psychological thriller rather than a shock-and- More...
Jan 26, 2010
David
rated it:
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite current series on the shelves. Joe Hill has proven to be an excellent comics storyteller, his pages dripping with humor, drama, horror and suspense.
And that's not ignoring Hill's co-conspirator, Gabriel Rodriguez, who really just brings it all to life. To read two volumes of this with artwork that is consistent, expressive, and detailed is a treat. Rodriguez does a great job of bringing to life some of the stranger ideas that Hill sets for More...
And that's not ignoring Hill's co-conspirator, Gabriel Rodriguez, who really just brings it all to life. To read two volumes of this with artwork that is consistent, expressive, and detailed is a treat. Rodriguez does a great job of bringing to life some of the stranger ideas that Hill sets for More...
Oct 12, 2009
Andrew
rated it:
Not nearly as suspenseful or magical as the first volume, but still a pretty interesting read. Other than the introduction of the very cool head-key, not too much happens, and the three protagonists spend most of the time just talking about their feelings instead of acting in any purposeful manner (I know that's probably realistic given their ages, but c'mon! This is a horror comic, not "Dawson's Creek). It's not necessarily a sophomore slump, but it definitely feels like this volume is c
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Aug 30, 2011
Amanda
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Overall, I really like this volume, with a few exceptions. I enjoy that we're slowly finding out more about Key House, its keys and their abilities, and the Locke family. But the Locke kids make some pretty frustrating, trope-specific decisions (letting people they don't really know in on the family secrets, removing necessary parts of themselves) and Luke, our villain for this series, remains several large steps ahead of our plucky protagonists. I hope this changes with the next volume, and the
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May 18, 2010
Danielle
rated it:
What an awesome series. It just does what it does so well. The art has really grown on me (too much recent manga made the character design strike me oddly at first, but I got over that), and the story is superb, as with Vol 1. Love the characters to bits, in that 'it's horror, what the hell is going to happen to them' kinda way that makes you want to hug them close and keep them safe. 'Cept you can't, of course. The sad part is the wait, now, for vol. 3. And the extreme desire to buy vols 1 and
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Sep 01, 2010
Jacobi
rated it:
This series is great stuff. The suspense is still thick in this volume, but there is also some really good comedy beats to be found as well, which I found surprising. The best thing about this book, though, is the imagination. Sometimes comic creators can get in a rut, delivering takes on preexisting ideas, but this is a very unique story. It's always good to see something unexpected.
Also, there are a lot of child characters in comics, but Hill and Rodriguez capture what is is to be More...
Also, there are a lot of child characters in comics, but Hill and Rodriguez capture what is is to be More...
Jul 28, 2011
The story continues as family adapts to its new life in New England and the old house of mysteries. Another key reveals the inner thoughts and fears of a person's mind. The evil spirit has taken a form and befriended the family, yet reeking havoc on someone from its former existence. The graphics are as strong as the first volume though the key and the skulls revealing is a bit odd and comes off childish. Stretches the imagination a bit far for me. But still enjoyed this storyline and am ea
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Jun 20, 2011
Lord
rated it:
Joe Hill continues to enlarge the riveting story surrounding the family at the Lovecraft house. It ended too soon and now I have to get the next collection!
Gabriel's art is excellent and evocative; his inkwork is superb. I have no idea what the original scripts looked like; they would have to be huge and complicated if the art is any indication. But I suspect the fantastic images emerge from Gabriel's brilliantly creative mind. Truly he has co-created something unique and am More...
Dec 19, 2010
Tamahome
rated it:
Very Stephen King-like. I can't find book one anywhere. Very nice art. (Better than some Marvel/DC I've seen lately.)
56/114: that magic key is awesome! <-- highlight
I want one!
All done. Trust Joe Hill to bring on the dark topics (like in Horns). Maybe I should read book one.
reading time: 1.33 hrs
Btw, the cover for this book SUCKS. They should put the kids brain from the back on the cover to give you an idea of the fun inside.
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56/114: that magic key is awesome! <-- highlight
I want one!
All done. Trust Joe Hill to bring on the dark topics (like in Horns). Maybe I should read book one.
reading time: 1.33 hrs
Btw, the cover for this book SUCKS. They should put the kids brain from the back on the cover to give you an idea of the fun inside.
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