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Locke & Key: Head Games
Locke & Key: Head Games #1
New York Times bestselling writer Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez return with an all-new series that adds to the L&K mythos. In the first issue of Locke & Key: Head Games, Professor Joe Ridgeway has one look at Lovecraft Academy's newest transfer student, the charismatic Zack Wells, and is seized with an unsettling notion: that young Wells is in fact the ghost of Lucas Caravaggio, a teenager who disappeared over twenty years before, along with several other students, and who has long been presumed dead. Joe soon sets out to dig up the truth on the new kid... with no idea how far Zack Wells is willing to go to keep his secrets buried.
23 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2009
5 people are currently reading
1224 people want to read
About the author
Joe Hill
502 books29.2k 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 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 30, 2021
I saw the ending, then it hit me, that's when he found her in the lake, i love it brilliant.
So yeah Dodge have a big agenda, but its really weird when he threw sam through the door the key was supposed to be in it why didn't he take it.
Instead of trying to find it now.
Its weird.
What's wrong with the teacher's kid btw he seems not attached to reality some how.
So yeah Dodge have a big agenda, but its really weird when he threw sam through the door the key was supposed to be in it why didn't he take it.
Instead of trying to find it now.
Its weird.
What's wrong with the teacher's kid btw he seems not attached to reality some how.
December 24, 2023
New series by Joe Hill that follows the adventures of the Locke family, after the end of the one told in the main series (Locke & Key).
In this first issue, we know the backstory of one of Rendell Locke's old teachers, Mr. Ridgeway and his meeting today, now elderly, with Zack, the exact replica of Luke, one of his students who died years ago .
This first issue focuses mainly on the teacher, Mr. Ridgeway, his meeting with Zack/Luke and his investigations to find out what is behind this sudden appearance. The Locke family has a marginal role here, but in the next issues I believe that the story will provide new emotions.
This is recommended to anyone who liked the main Locke & Key series. The quality of the drawings does not differ from those of the previous series, always impeccable.
In this first issue, we know the backstory of one of Rendell Locke's old teachers, Mr. Ridgeway and his meeting today, now elderly, with Zack, the exact replica of Luke, one of his students who died years ago .
This first issue focuses mainly on the teacher, Mr. Ridgeway, his meeting with Zack/Luke and his investigations to find out what is behind this sudden appearance. The Locke family has a marginal role here, but in the next issues I believe that the story will provide new emotions.
This is recommended to anyone who liked the main Locke & Key series. The quality of the drawings does not differ from those of the previous series, always impeccable.
July 5, 2022
We learn about echo/dodge/luke/zack and things are deadly and with the everywhere key they are moving about around. This wasn't about the Locke kids but rather about the drama teacher. It was also lovely to read.
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.
December 28, 2023
Actual rating: 3.5
I love how this story is expanding. Excited to learn more!
I love how this story is expanding. Excited to learn more!
November 20, 2020
ARGH! Questions abound.
September 2, 2025
Lock & Key bleibt düster und spannend. Nachdem brutalen Ende der ersten Staffel bleibt es weiterhin blutig und wird immer Mysteriöser. Ich erinnere mich aus dem Hörspiel daran die Geschichte ab hier nur noch besser zu finden.
9/10 ⭐
9/10 ⭐
May 24, 2016
Eerie and strangely addictive.
March 14, 2020
Locke and Key: Head games, 1-6
December 28, 2020
In the first issue of Head Games, we get a backstory of one of the old teachers that was Mr. Rendell Locke’s teachers. Since the last issue of Locke and Key, the Echo shape-shifted into a boy around Tyler’s age and has “transferred” to their school. The teacher, Mr. Ridgeway instantly recognizes the Echo as an old student, Luke Carravagio. Luke cannot afford for his secret to get out.
Luke shape-shifted into the person he used to be; in the first volume, he was a woman because he was an Echo of himself (who he used to be). Once he got out when Bode gave him the Anywhere Key, he managed to use another key he had that allowed him to shape-shift.
Luke shape-shifted into the person he used to be; in the first volume, he was a woman because he was an Echo of himself (who he used to be). Once he got out when Bode gave him the Anywhere Key, he managed to use another key he had that allowed him to shape-shift.
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July 6, 2020I started the Netflix Adaption the other day and realized I had read the first volume before but never continued on. So I'll definetly be speed reading the series now before continuing on since I have this thing where I won't be able to read books after watching the adaptations because I already know the story by then. Love the adaption so far.
Ps. Comics are usually not my thing so I'll probably won't give them a rating. Just a little disclaimer fpr everyone who mainly goes by ratings.
Ps. Comics are usually not my thing so I'll probably won't give them a rating. Just a little disclaimer fpr everyone who mainly goes by ratings.
June 17, 2025
Looking forward to more Locke & Key. I’m not sure how it’ll compare to ‘Angel and the Ape’ but I’m exited about it anyway!
It starts with a one page overview of the situation. It’s pretty good considering. Fatherless kids. Hidden enemy. Magic keys. Creepy house.
”Intermission” starts with an old man’s nightmare of the time his drowned while they were out in the woods together. He’s a teacher in Lovecraft, Massachusetts.
At school the teacher, Mr. Ridgeway recognizes a student and calls out his name, “Luke”. It’s the male version of the evil Dodge we know from “Welcome to Lovecraft”. Now a friend of Tylers. Lucas Don Caravaggio. A friend of Rendell Locke’s back in the day.
”He’d have to be what - 35? 40 now?”
The most disturbing thing is that Luke is living with Ellie Whedon. The girl’s PE coach.
At her home Luke tells Ellie to call him Zack now.
The art is amazing !
Looking through old yearbooks, Mr. Ridgeway is sure that Luke looks like he hadn’t aged a day. He remembers the tragedy and the missing children back then. He investigates further, despite the privacy violations.
”Besides. At my age you can pretend to be a little dotty and get away with most anything. ”
He finds out the transfer of Zack from a school in Texas is completely bogus. He wonder if Ellie is doing this out of love for a student from long ago.
Luke tells Ellie not to talk to Mr. Ridgeway. He uses the Anywhere key in front of Ellie and her son Rufus. She warns him not to, but he thinks Rufus is too slow to understand. Rufus just plays with his action figures and watches TV.
Luke shows up at Mr. Ridgway’s house with a stolen gun and some pills. He tells Mr. Ridgeway to take some. Mr. Ridgeway asks what happened to those kids back in the day. Luke says they decided to kill him. Which didn’t work out well for them. Luke says he has unfinished business in the Keyhouse. If the Locke kids won’t help they’ll die, just like Mr. Ridgeway.
Ugh. Right from the go, I’ve got goosebumps. 5 stars.
I’ve got a little advantage in having watched a lot of the TV series, but that doesn’t stop this from being GREAT. And adding a lot of new beats the show didn’t have.
It starts with a one page overview of the situation. It’s pretty good considering. Fatherless kids. Hidden enemy. Magic keys. Creepy house.
”Intermission” starts with an old man’s nightmare of the time his drowned while they were out in the woods together. He’s a teacher in Lovecraft, Massachusetts.
At school the teacher, Mr. Ridgeway recognizes a student and calls out his name, “Luke”. It’s the male version of the evil Dodge we know from “Welcome to Lovecraft”. Now a friend of Tylers. Lucas Don Caravaggio. A friend of Rendell Locke’s back in the day.
”He’d have to be what - 35? 40 now?”
The most disturbing thing is that Luke is living with Ellie Whedon. The girl’s PE coach.
At her home Luke tells Ellie to call him Zack now.
The art is amazing !
Looking through old yearbooks, Mr. Ridgeway is sure that Luke looks like he hadn’t aged a day. He remembers the tragedy and the missing children back then. He investigates further, despite the privacy violations.
”Besides. At my age you can pretend to be a little dotty and get away with most anything. ”
He finds out the transfer of Zack from a school in Texas is completely bogus. He wonder if Ellie is doing this out of love for a student from long ago.
Luke tells Ellie not to talk to Mr. Ridgeway. He uses the Anywhere key in front of Ellie and her son Rufus. She warns him not to, but he thinks Rufus is too slow to understand. Rufus just plays with his action figures and watches TV.
Luke shows up at Mr. Ridgway’s house with a stolen gun and some pills. He tells Mr. Ridgeway to take some. Mr. Ridgeway asks what happened to those kids back in the day. Luke says they decided to kill him. Which didn’t work out well for them. Luke says he has unfinished business in the Keyhouse. If the Locke kids won’t help they’ll die, just like Mr. Ridgeway.
Ugh. Right from the go, I’ve got goosebumps. 5 stars.
I’ve got a little advantage in having watched a lot of the TV series, but that doesn’t stop this from being GREAT. And adding a lot of new beats the show didn’t have.
August 28, 2025
The best part of this particular issue for me was Professor Ridgeway, and although I could see the end coming (the part with his wife, especially) it was still an affecting storyline. I just wish it were in service of a more interesting villain... I can't seem to feel any spark of interest in Luke/Zack and Ellie, and the former just makes me want to roll my eyes.
It's something of a trend in this series, I think: the good guys are consistently more compelling in their characters and their stories. Most of the time, of course, I root for the good guys almost by default, but the right antagonist can really elevate a story even if I don't particularly like them or sympathise with their goals. That's not happening here for me so much, but on balance the positive portrayals are outweighing the negative ones for me.
It's something of a trend in this series, I think: the good guys are consistently more compelling in their characters and their stories. Most of the time, of course, I root for the good guys almost by default, but the right antagonist can really elevate a story even if I don't particularly like them or sympathise with their goals. That's not happening here for me so much, but on balance the positive portrayals are outweighing the negative ones for me.
March 17, 2024
I read this issue in the graphic novel volume, Locke & Key, Vol. 2: Head Games. See my review for it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2020
Después de ver el trailer de Netflix de nuevo me parece que si aborda la tragedia del comic. Joe Hill la verdad que me esta gustando bastante.
April 8, 2020
¡Apareció el profe finalmente!
August 3, 2020
This issue is an interesting interlude which focuses on an older teacher at the school, but it lacks nuance.
August 8, 2020
"There you are."
March 21, 2021
What a great book! Enjoyed it great.
July 6, 2021
Very good book, fantastic in all aspects.
October 20, 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.
***
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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.
***
My Social Media
My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...
My Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/michael_sor...
My Wattpad Account: https://www.wattpad.com/user/Michael-...
My Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/SorbelloHorror
My Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/michael.sorb...
July 18, 2023
Graphic novel over the show for sure . I like the depth the graphic provides. Overall, a super cool plot and idea with great execution on the writers behalf. The illustrations were neat too - I enjoyed looking over them after reading all the blurbs.
May 7, 2015
Καημένε κύριε καθηγητά.
June 12, 2016
A peek into ex-Echo's backstory to the time when he used to be Luke from the perspective of his drama teacher, Joe.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews