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Locke & Key: Keys to the Kingdom
Locke & Key: Keys to the Kingdom #1
As the new arc begins, Bode Locke discovers a key that unlocks the world of tooth, fang, claw, and feather, in a story that leaves hundreds dead! Hundreds of birds, that is. No. Seriously.
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2010
7 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
About the author
Joe Hill
502 books29.3k followersJoe Hill's debut, Heart-Shaped Box, won the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel. His second, Horns, was made into a film freakfest starring Daniel Radcliffe. His other novels include NOS4A2, and his #1 New York Times Best-Seller, The Fireman... which was also the winner of a 2016 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror Novel.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 7, 2024
This first volume of the “Keys to the Kingdom” arc in Locke & Keys series focuses on Bode and his difficulty bonding with other kids. At the same time, Dodge doesn't miss the chance to kill the brothers, using a new key just discovered by Bode.
After an initial part of dialogue and confrontation between Kinsey and Tyler, there is an impressive sequence of wild and rather bloody combat involving the brothers, a pack of wolves and a flock of sparrows.
The story is, as always, a prelude to the events that will take place in the following volumes, but I noticed some different details in the graphic layout, compared to the previous volumes:
• First of all, some scenes were created with different traits and styles, probably by another artist, especially those from Bode's point of view. The style is that of lighter and funnier comics, it reminded me of Calvin & Hobbes, by Bill Watterson, famous in the 80s and 90s.
• Secondly, instead of the usual scheme of sequential tables, for each page there is a background scene and a single central strip that tells the story.
Interesting more for the realization than for the continuation of the series.
After an initial part of dialogue and confrontation between Kinsey and Tyler, there is an impressive sequence of wild and rather bloody combat involving the brothers, a pack of wolves and a flock of sparrows.
The story is, as always, a prelude to the events that will take place in the following volumes, but I noticed some different details in the graphic layout, compared to the previous volumes:
• First of all, some scenes were created with different traits and styles, probably by another artist, especially those from Bode's point of view. The style is that of lighter and funnier comics, it reminded me of Calvin & Hobbes, by Bill Watterson, famous in the 80s and 90s.
• Secondly, instead of the usual scheme of sequential tables, for each page there is a background scene and a single central strip that tells the story.
Interesting more for the realization than for the continuation of the series.
January 1, 2022
Bode is really the balance of this story, he is the sweet thing making the horrible events a little lighter.
Dodge really needs to be stopped a fucking backstabber that is making me so mad, he kisses and hugs kinsey and then attacks her and her brother with a pack of wolves, trying to tear them apart, he even looks really disappointed each time they beat him, scum of the earth this one i want him dead.
Bode is also the key finder he found all the keys except the omega key so far.
Dodge really needs to be stopped a fucking backstabber that is making me so mad, he kisses and hugs kinsey and then attacks her and her brother with a pack of wolves, trying to tear them apart, he even looks really disappointed each time they beat him, scum of the earth this one i want him dead.
Bode is also the key finder he found all the keys except the omega key so far.
October 26, 2021
Bode is so uncanny.
July 26, 2020
... What the hell was that
January 12, 2021
Bode is having trouble making friends because the other kids think he is weird; Tyler finds out that Luke and Kinsey are dating. Bode finds a new key that allows people to transform/shape-shift into animals. Luke transforms into a ferocious dog when Bode is in a sparrow-form. Luke attacks Kinsey and Tyler. Bode saves them.
Something that confused me is how Tyler was able to identify the "well-lady" (Luke) when she was in dog form, but is not able to recognize her when she is Luke? Okay well, good start to the fourth volume :).
Something that confused me is how Tyler was able to identify the "well-lady" (Luke) when she was in dog form, but is not able to recognize her when she is Luke? Okay well, good start to the fourth volume :).
March 18, 2020
Locke and Key: Keys to the Kingdom 1-6
September 24, 2022
The artwork was annoying. It felt like 3 or 4 different artists took turns drawing every other page. It was as if this is a fan made version of an already classic series.
April 13, 2025
Tribute
Beautiful tribute to Bill Waterson with some art done in a style as an homage to Calvin and Hobbes. Introduction of the Animal Key.
Beautiful tribute to Bill Waterson with some art done in a style as an homage to Calvin and Hobbes. Introduction of the Animal Key.
July 27, 2020
This is a review of the entire series.
The story follows the Locke siblings; the curious young Bode, his rebellious sister Kinsey and his mature brother Tyler. After their father is tragically murdered in a mysterious home invasion, they move to their ancestral home in Lovecraft (a very suitable name for the hellish place they're moving into) with their alcoholic mother. The Locke house holds many strange secrets, keys that unlock forbidden powers and ancient evils never meant to be released. It turns out that the murder of the Locke family's father may not have been a coincidence. There are higher forces at play, manipulating the living from the shadows and orchestrating the downfall of the entire world.
This was a great surprise. I've been reading manga my entire life, but I confess that I never got into American comics and graphic novels (until now that is.) This series managed to win me over and open up an entire new medium of fiction to me. I was impressed by how realistic and human the characters are, there are so many unique people that are developed with utmost respect and is an example of diversity done extremely well. It really does rival the best of Stephen King and other big horror writers of the same ilk. It's got body swapping, spirit battles, mind-bending powers, ghosts and demons, heavy metal culture, blood and guts, tears and trauma, it's a thrilling ride all the way through.
Every volume packed a handful of punches. Volume 4 was the weakest of the series but even that one had a strong finish that eventually led to an even stronger ending. Suffering and grief is portrayed with rich emotion. The character development is moving. The villain is merciless and is actively involved with the plot at all times. All the side characters play a big role in the climactic finale and they all get the satisfying resolutions they deserve. Great series, might check out Neil Gaiman's Sandman after this one.
The story follows the Locke siblings; the curious young Bode, his rebellious sister Kinsey and his mature brother Tyler. After their father is tragically murdered in a mysterious home invasion, they move to their ancestral home in Lovecraft (a very suitable name for the hellish place they're moving into) with their alcoholic mother. The Locke house holds many strange secrets, keys that unlock forbidden powers and ancient evils never meant to be released. It turns out that the murder of the Locke family's father may not have been a coincidence. There are higher forces at play, manipulating the living from the shadows and orchestrating the downfall of the entire world.
This was a great surprise. I've been reading manga my entire life, but I confess that I never got into American comics and graphic novels (until now that is.) This series managed to win me over and open up an entire new medium of fiction to me. I was impressed by how realistic and human the characters are, there are so many unique people that are developed with utmost respect and is an example of diversity done extremely well. It really does rival the best of Stephen King and other big horror writers of the same ilk. It's got body swapping, spirit battles, mind-bending powers, ghosts and demons, heavy metal culture, blood and guts, tears and trauma, it's a thrilling ride all the way through.
Every volume packed a handful of punches. Volume 4 was the weakest of the series but even that one had a strong finish that eventually led to an even stronger ending. Suffering and grief is portrayed with rich emotion. The character development is moving. The villain is merciless and is actively involved with the plot at all times. All the side characters play a big role in the climactic finale and they all get the satisfying resolutions they deserve. Great series, might check out Neil Gaiman's Sandman after this one.
October 14, 2025
Starting a new Locke & Key series is reason for celebration. Unfortunately I only have it as a collected rather than individual issues. I’ll try to keep them straight!
”Chapter One: Sparrow” starts with a headless bird. So we know we’re in good hands!
In a snowy schoolyard Bode’s teacher is talking to Nina about Bode’s inability to relate to other kids.
It’s drawn in a kind of Calvin & Hobbs manner. Back to normal art.
Kinsey is asking Tyler to tell her where the Omega key is. He won’t tell her where he hid it.
They found it at the end of Crown of Shadows.
Bode is making snowmen friends because Nina told him he had to make friends. Dodge tells him that friends can be ‘useful’.
Kinsey lets slip that Dodge is her boyfriend. Tyler walks off in a huff.
The back and forth from Rodriguez’s art to Bill Waterson style is kind of funny and works.
Bode finds another key. This one turns him into a sparrow.
While talking in the woods, Kinsey and Tyler are approached by a vicious looking black wolf (and three equally mangy friends) that Tyler is sure is the Dark Lady (Dodge).
The reader is pretty sure too.
Tyler and Kinsey run.
Bode the sparrow and his flock of friends swoop down and attack the dogs. Not very successfully. But it is distracting enough.
That was suitably weird. The bloodiest issue yet and not the most horrific. And the weird, half-comedy format actually worked really well. Compressing a life lesson down to some truly weird format. Like a Twilight Zone! Very nice.
5 stars
July 5, 2022
Bode finds another key and turns into a bird and when dodge the fuck follows through the same door they turn into a vicious dog because of course they do. Bode gets help and defeats the dogs but at a huge loss of numbers, the art style was also fun as the story was told from Bode's perspective.
I have always loved comics, and I hope to always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I hope to always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
March 17, 2024
3.5 stars
I read this issue in the graphic novel volume, Locke & Key, Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom. See my review for it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read this issue in the graphic novel volume, Locke & Key, Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom. See my review for it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2020
This issue for me was a bit pointless
May 9, 2015
Παιχνίδια με το στυλ και το συναίσθημα. Σπουργίτια.
December 23, 2015
didn't like the new layout -.-
December 13, 2019
Kinsey is kind of a dick these last issues, hopefully she gets the fear back inside her soon
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews