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Locke & Key, Vol. 2: Head Games
(Locke & Key #2)
by
Following a shocking death that dredges up memories of their father's murder, Kinsey and Tyler Locke are thrown into choppy emotional waters, and turn to their new friend, Zack Wells, for support, little suspecting Zack's dark secret.
Meanwhile, six-year-old Bode Locke tries to puzzle out the secret of the head key, and Uncle Duncan is jarred into the past by a disturbingl ...more
Meanwhile, six-year-old Bode Locke tries to puzzle out the secret of the head key, and Uncle Duncan is jarred into the past by a disturbingl ...more
Hardcover, 160 pages
Published
February 2015
by IDW Publishing
(first published September 1st 2009)
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Start your review of Locke & Key, Vol. 2: Head Games

I've read this multiple times now and I keep thinking that this time I won't like it as much.
Not so.
This is such an awesome title that I would honestly recommend it even if you're not traditionally a fan of horror or the graphic medium. Really. It's just storytelling at its best.

Volume 2 is about the Head Key. As far as the Key goes, I thought it was less scary and more sci-fi. I'm sure a lot of you would disagree with me, but it just didn't seem creepy to unlock your head. Weird, strange, and s ...more
Not so.
This is such an awesome title that I would honestly recommend it even if you're not traditionally a fan of horror or the graphic medium. Really. It's just storytelling at its best.

Volume 2 is about the Head Key. As far as the Key goes, I thought it was less scary and more sci-fi. I'm sure a lot of you would disagree with me, but it just didn't seem creepy to unlock your head. Weird, strange, and s ...more

This book starts with someone dying and then goes on to find another key.
The head key.
You stick the key in the back of your neck and viola! your skull pops open. You can even look into your own head.
You see what all's in there. You can put stuff in and take some things that bother you out.
You know that's not going to end well. Unless you are like some of us and there isn't much there to begin with.
This volume does have quiet a bit of back story so be ready for that if you are reading it. ...more
The head key.

You stick the key in the back of your neck and viola! your skull pops open. You can even look into your own head.
You see what all's in there. You can put stuff in and take some things that bother you out.

You know that's not going to end well. Unless you are like some of us and there isn't much there to begin with.
This volume does have quiet a bit of back story so be ready for that if you are reading it. ...more

These are really really good?!
Thank you Kindle Unlimited, without you I would've never started this series lol. ...more
Thank you Kindle Unlimited, without you I would've never started this series lol. ...more

Just like the great second chapters in epic series (like Empire Strikes Back or The Two Towers) this ends on a very dark, down, disturbing note. Things just keep getting worse for the Locke family, and I'm really glad that I'm so late to the party on Locke & Key, because I can go right into Volume 3 without letting the despair of Volume 2 linger too long.
...more

Mar 19, 2020
¸¸.•*¨*•♫ Mrs. Buttercup •*¨*•♫♪
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
comics-graphic-novels,
kindle

Okay, I'll admit it: you guys were right when you kept recommending this series to me for ever and I was wrong thinking this was another over-hyped comic that I'll end up hating! I absolutely love this! This second volume was even more interesting than the first, and the story was so compelling that at some point the fact I don't really like the artwork and colouring stopped bothering me completely. Or maybe I just started liking it. I just couldn't put this down! ...more

Their father was murdered.
They don’t know one of their closest friends is really their enemy...
And he’ll stop at nothing to get the key to the black door.
The other keys have the power to save them.
This is where they’ll make their stand.

“They” are the Locke kids from the title of the series: Tyler, Kinsey and Bode. In the first volume, they must overcome personal tragedy and survive the terror of being hunted by a psychopat. Now they find out that there is more to discover behind the murder of ...more

Review of the first volume: Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft
I immediately went ahead and read the second volume of the Locke and Key series. The first volume was very satisfactory, providing a good introduction to the series. The second volume didn't disappoint either, as the novel developed even further.
The first volume was pure introduction to the world and characters, but it didn't focus much on the keys. I'm very glad that the second one focused on one particular key, and the secret ...more
I immediately went ahead and read the second volume of the Locke and Key series. The first volume was very satisfactory, providing a good introduction to the series. The second volume didn't disappoint either, as the novel developed even further.
The first volume was pure introduction to the world and characters, but it didn't focus much on the keys. I'm very glad that the second one focused on one particular key, and the secret ...more

Nov 19, 2017
Sarah
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
z2017,
graphic-novels
Dark, creepy, awesome. These comics are so freaking cool! I love them! The story is cool and so is the artwork. Can't wait to read more.
...more

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
It’s time for another visit to Keyhouse : )
Head Games is the second volume in the Locke and Key series. While I’m still holding firm to the hope that this will end up being a 5 Star collection, this particular volume only earns 4 . . . Which is still good, so lay off! After a gut-wrenching and action packed debut, Volume II settles down a bit in order to go over some much needed, but not as exciting, backstory. In order to move fo ...more
It’s time for another visit to Keyhouse : )

Head Games is the second volume in the Locke and Key series. While I’m still holding firm to the hope that this will end up being a 5 Star collection, this particular volume only earns 4 . . . Which is still good, so lay off! After a gut-wrenching and action packed debut, Volume II settles down a bit in order to go over some much needed, but not as exciting, backstory. In order to move fo ...more

oooooo..... 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. while the first book was focused on slowly bringing the family and the reader into this fascinating world - 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 & a creepy spirit villain - the second book zooms in one parti
...more

Brian Vaughn writes the intro to this second volume, which made me consider how Joe Hill is beginning to match up with the contemporary horror/sci-fi/fantasy comics greats such as Neil Gaiman, Joss Whedon or Vaughn himself. In short, he's not yet at that level. Surely Gaiman is technically better, deeper, more philosophical, more serious writing horror in all respects, but Hill is still good: witty, scary, imaginative, good writer of dialogue. And the core of this is like a lot of good horror, p
...more

Dec 09, 2009
Trudi
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
2009,
all-in-the-family,
2015,
series,
joe-hill,
re-reads,
2012,
what-the-bleep,
graphic-novel,
stephen-king-recommends
2015 re-read. Magical, wondrous, crazy series continues to feel magical, wondrous and crazy. Like Warren Ellis in his introduction to this volume, I too want to find a key that opens up Joe Hill's head and steal from within all the "clever bits" -- because Mr. Hill is just too clever for his own damn good. Can this series possibly end as Herculean strong as it's begun? Also, a resounding standing ovation for the artwork of Gabriel Rodriguez.
2012 review:
If you've yet to begin on the wondrous and ...more

I don't read graphic novels nearly enough but I will say I do really enjoy this series. It's hard for me to rate it though. I really like it, but also I'm so lost and I cant make much sense out of it. I still cant wait to read more! All in all this is so far a good series that makes you question a lot.
...more

Once again, my original review has spoilers. I don't recommend you reading past the 2014 numbers.
HEAD GAMES was an excellent second part to this story. I sometimes wish I had more to say when I love a book other than “holy shit, this is amazing…” However, I normally don’t.
I still very much suggest trying this series out if you haven't yet. It just gets better in this second volume. If I remember correctly, the head key is my favorite. It's a fascinating idea.
6/8 - 6/9 2014
Locke & Key Volume ...more
HEAD GAMES was an excellent second part to this story. I sometimes wish I had more to say when I love a book other than “holy shit, this is amazing…” However, I normally don’t.
I still very much suggest trying this series out if you haven't yet. It just gets better in this second volume. If I remember correctly, the head key is my favorite. It's a fascinating idea.
6/8 - 6/9 2014
Locke & Key Volume ...more

The second Locke & Key graphic novel volume follows directly on from the first as we find the three Locke children in deadly danger from a visitor from the past. This volume wasn’t as tension filled or action packed as the last, relying more on plot and character development to drive it forward instead of action. As such, I found the pace a lot slower, with the enemy moving forward with their mysterious plans unknown by the children, but nothing really happening in terms of questions being answe
...more


There are so many crazy, wacky elements of this story to go along with the horror side. It's a fantastic mix of the two. The whole idea of the head key and the visuals when looking into one's own head is just bonkers and I love it. Especially seeing each person peek over the top into their own head. We really see how evil and manipulative Zack / Luke / Dodge is in this.
Rodriguez's art continues to impress. I love how he uses heavy inks to outline and weight the important elements of each panel. ...more

What an amazing imagination!
Locke&Key Vol 2: Head Games by Joe Hill continues this wild and crazy story! In this book, Bode finds out what the next key does and it freaks out everyone but his mom, ( she is in shock). What this does will leave you with a creepy feeling, at least it did me! The thing in the well house is a big player for Team Evil and has a large role.
The graphics are super tremendous! I loved just looking at the illustrations! Pick up this graphic book series but start with book ...more
Locke&Key Vol 2: Head Games by Joe Hill continues this wild and crazy story! In this book, Bode finds out what the next key does and it freaks out everyone but his mom, ( she is in shock). What this does will leave you with a creepy feeling, at least it did me! The thing in the well house is a big player for Team Evil and has a large role.
The graphics are super tremendous! I loved just looking at the illustrations! Pick up this graphic book series but start with book ...more

In this 2nd volume of the series we get the Head Key. The Head Key opens what you'd expect: people's heads. You get to see their memories and can put knowledge in there or take something out.
Kinsey and Tyler have made friends with a boy that looks an awful lot like one who has been at their school one generation earlier - a friend of Kinsey's and Tyler's dad to be exact. For those, who have seen the show, the mystery is no mystery and I must say that it was almost painfully obvious in the comic ...more
Kinsey and Tyler have made friends with a boy that looks an awful lot like one who has been at their school one generation earlier - a friend of Kinsey's and Tyler's dad to be exact. For those, who have seen the show, the mystery is no mystery and I must say that it was almost painfully obvious in the comic ...more

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 greens, blu ...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 greens, blu ...more

Another great addition to the Locke & Key series!
Head Games starts after new high school friend, Zack Wells gets introduced to the Locke family. Kinsey and Tyler seem to really like Zack and they're both still trying to get over the murder of their father.
Uncle Duncan seems to be having issues remembering a face from the past and Bode Locke finds a new key in Keyhouse.
This key involves adding or subtracting something from your head.
Yeah, it might seem weird but it was super cool and a bit creepy ...more
Head Games starts after new high school friend, Zack Wells gets introduced to the Locke family. Kinsey and Tyler seem to really like Zack and they're both still trying to get over the murder of their father.
Uncle Duncan seems to be having issues remembering a face from the past and Bode Locke finds a new key in Keyhouse.
This key involves adding or subtracting something from your head.
Yeah, it might seem weird but it was super cool and a bit creepy ...more
![destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1557144778p2/15335689.jpg)
Another great volume of Locke & Key! I love Joe Hill's bizarre, creepy writing style, and the illustrations in this graphic novel are just gorgeous. There's so much detail and intricacy, and you really want to look closely at every panel because sometimes, there are tiny little details hidden that are just so neat.
This volume introduces the Head Key, which is literally a key that, when inserted into the back of one's neck, opens their skull and allows them to see all the little goodies (and badd ...more
This volume introduces the Head Key, which is literally a key that, when inserted into the back of one's neck, opens their skull and allows them to see all the little goodies (and badd ...more

Okay, this one was much better. We're finally getting some more rules for the magic. Limitations always make for great stories. It also helps that I now wish I could get my hands on that key and straight dump all the books I've ever read into my noggin. And a lot more, of course. I wonder how the magic would rearrange me? Fascinating.
Back to the story. Dodge is rather interesting. He's building into something Lynch-like, and I like it.
All the over-the-top prejudice stuff feels like a page taken ...more
Back to the story. Dodge is rather interesting. He's building into something Lynch-like, and I like it.
All the over-the-top prejudice stuff feels like a page taken ...more

Jul 09, 2015
Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
comics-graphic-manga,
library-book
www.melissa413readsalot.blogspot.com
This second installment was awesome! It was creepy, weird and I loved it. You will never guess where the other key goes!
I loved the graphics and the continuing storyline. I look forward to the next book in the wonderful world of Joe Hill! ...more
This second installment was awesome! It was creepy, weird and I loved it. You will never guess where the other key goes!
I loved the graphics and the continuing storyline. I look forward to the next book in the wonderful world of Joe Hill! ...more

The Locke family kids, Tyler, Kinsey and Bode, are slowly recovering from their father’s brutal death and settling in to their Lovecraftian manse which is located in, funnily enough, Lovecraft, Massachusetts. But their new friend, Zack Wells (because he lived in a well, geddit?!) aka Lucas “Luke” Don Caravaggio (Worst. Character Name. Ever.) is killing people because he has a plan for the Locke kids that nobody knows anything about but it’s bound to be creepy. Also: more magic keys!
I have no id ...more
I have no id ...more

Locke and Key continues to be a extremely interesting series.
So the kids have gained the ability to open heads. Like they can open someone's head, reach in, and grab a memory or a creature of a memory, and tear it out and it's formed in real life. How nuts is that? Also we have the villain here being evil as fuck and scheming the hell out of this family. Also the uncle is going through some crazy shit once he leaves and it's only going to get worse.
Good: Some of this shit is the funniest comic ...more
So the kids have gained the ability to open heads. Like they can open someone's head, reach in, and grab a memory or a creature of a memory, and tear it out and it's formed in real life. How nuts is that? Also we have the villain here being evil as fuck and scheming the hell out of this family. Also the uncle is going through some crazy shit once he leaves and it's only going to get worse.
Good: Some of this shit is the funniest comic ...more

Wow, this series is good. I want to know more of what's happening. It feels like the antagonist Zac is winning and the main characters are totally losing at this point. They don't have a clue. I can't figure out how the story is going to go. That is a rare thing. I love the art and I think the story is new. It's doing some 'Inside Out' stuff. It really is about head games.
What joy to find something I can't figure out what is going to happen. I'm surprised and interested in everything. If you rea ...more
What joy to find something I can't figure out what is going to happen. I'm surprised and interested in everything. If you rea ...more
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Reads of a geek a...: Locke and Key Vol. 2 | 1 | 4 | Feb 10, 2014 09:26AM |
Joe 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 ...more
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in ...more
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