What do you think?
Rate this book
Locke & Key
Locke & Key: Heaven and Earth
Now a Netflix Original Series! Three never-before-collected stories set in the world of Keyhouse, showcasing the depths of depravity and heart-breaking heights that New York Times best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez have to offer.
This special deluxe release finally reprints the oft-requested and long-denied Eisner-winning one-shot, “Open the Moon”! Plus the other long-sold-out one-shot, “Grindhouse”! PLUS, the even more hard-to-find IDW 10th anniversary Locke & Key tale, “In the Can”! Extra covers, behind-the-scenes photos, and more make this a truly worthy addition to the series the A.V. Club called a "modern masterpiece."
This special deluxe release finally reprints the oft-requested and long-denied Eisner-winning one-shot, “Open the Moon”! Plus the other long-sold-out one-shot, “Grindhouse”! PLUS, the even more hard-to-find IDW 10th anniversary Locke & Key tale, “In the Can”! Extra covers, behind-the-scenes photos, and more make this a truly worthy addition to the series the A.V. Club called a "modern masterpiece."
72 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2017
68 people are currently reading
2632 people want to read
About the author
Joe Hill
494 books28.6k 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews
September 5, 2020
If you're a fan of the Locke & Key stories then, by all means, check out Heaven and Earth.
Open the Moon was a tearjerker that had a happy ending. But I still sniffled what with the tears and the jerking...
Grindhouse made me smile. While these tough gangsters thought they were easy prey, this was the wrong family to fuck with.
In the Can was the weakest story but only because it was just a silly little throwaway kind of thing. However, it was nice to see it collected.
This won't make any sense unless you've read the rest of the comics, but it's worth it for fans.
Open the Moon was a tearjerker that had a happy ending. But I still sniffled what with the tears and the jerking...
Grindhouse made me smile. While these tough gangsters thought they were easy prey, this was the wrong family to fuck with.
In the Can was the weakest story but only because it was just a silly little throwaway kind of thing. However, it was nice to see it collected.
This won't make any sense unless you've read the rest of the comics, but it's worth it for fans.
September 3, 2020
Three short stories featuring the Locke family of three different eras with a bunch of filler photographs of the creators at the inspiration for Lovecraft, MA.
Over the Moon: A bittersweet story of a father and sickly son visiting a dream world the father has told the son about, featuring the Locke's of 1910 once again.
Grindhouse: Set during the depression era, some bank robbers hide out at Keyhouse and get what they deserve. This story is very dark and reminds me of something from the old Creepy and Eerie comics of the 40's and 50's. Rodriquez changes his art style to match the tales of the era.
In the Can: A very short story featuring the modern day Locke kids. The story was goofy and confusing and didn't make much sense.
The stories are nice but they can all be found elsewhere. It feels like a cash grab by IDW. $14.99 for 3 short stories and a lot of photographs.
Over the Moon: A bittersweet story of a father and sickly son visiting a dream world the father has told the son about, featuring the Locke's of 1910 once again.
Grindhouse: Set during the depression era, some bank robbers hide out at Keyhouse and get what they deserve. This story is very dark and reminds me of something from the old Creepy and Eerie comics of the 40's and 50's. Rodriquez changes his art style to match the tales of the era.
In the Can: A very short story featuring the modern day Locke kids. The story was goofy and confusing and didn't make much sense.
The stories are nice but they can all be found elsewhere. It feels like a cash grab by IDW. $14.99 for 3 short stories and a lot of photographs.
February 13, 2018
collects the enjoyably trashy "Grindhouse" and the lovely and moving "Open the Moon" - the latter from the Guide to the Known Keys one-shot. (so-called reviews in links.) does not include the guide to keys from Guide.
unfortunately the third story "In the Can" was puerile, pointless, really confusing. (great art though, per usual.)
and then the second half of the book is just photos of the real Lovecraft, MA, and the creators hanging out there. WTF, WHO CARES?!? ugh. well at least I now have those two stories in hardcover. I do wish that the publishers had included the equally good short "Small World" too, and the key guide. I wish I wish I wish, I whine I whine I whine.
unfortunately the third story "In the Can" was puerile, pointless, really confusing. (great art though, per usual.)
and then the second half of the book is just photos of the real Lovecraft, MA, and the creators hanging out there. WTF, WHO CARES?!? ugh. well at least I now have those two stories in hardcover. I do wish that the publishers had included the equally good short "Small World" too, and the key guide. I wish I wish I wish, I whine I whine I whine.
May 14, 2018
Over the moon: 5 stars
Grindhouse: 5 stars
In the can: 2 stars
3 different short stories set in 3 different periods of Locke's family story.
First 2 were really great ones, sadly the final one was just not so good.
October 9, 2017
I am a big fan of Joe Hill's Locke and Key series, so I picked this up at the library, only to discover that it is collection of stories I had read in other settings; thus the relatively low rating for what would only make sense to readers of the whole series, those interested in side stories. The styles of the stories are different, the tones are different. One, "Open the Moon," is sad, sweet, a father-son story; "Grindhouse," not sweet at all, turns the tables on a would-be rapist (in a cleverly satisfying way, but you still have to get through some disturbing moments leading up to this, so be warned), and a very short story "In the Can" that was a little confusing. Fillers to justify the selling of this hardcover book include photographs of the authors, and a very little background on Lovecraft, MASS that are also available elsewhere. Feels like Locke and Key lite, but it's still pretty good stuff if you know this world well.
April 25, 2021
As usual, I was absolutely blown away by both storyline and artwork. Joe Hill just never disappoints and ups his game with each new addition to this mind blowing series. Just when I think it can’t get better, it does! This is by far my favourite between this and Small World. Both are great additions to the original series but this one just spoke to me. I absolutely adored the heart rending glimpse into the past we get and the other stories were phenomenal as well.It really added some new and interesting elements to the series and I couldn’t have loved it more. If you haven’t read this graphic novel series yet, what are you waiting for?! I do recommend you read the original six first before diving into the add ons though or you’ll be a little lost.
May 13, 2018
This is a welcome return to Lovecraft County (although I will admit there are other specials out there so I am not sure what the order is). These are all special one offs as the main story has now been concluded in the original run.
That said there is plenty of scope for more stories to be told - and as in the case of Grindhouse totally new places to go to. For me this opens the world up to so many more possibilities. The only concern being is that we are flooded with unrelated and isolated stories simply to exploit what is still in my eyes a unique and fascinating world.
However with Joe Hill at the reigns I suspect we are not going to be in danger of that any time soon.
So what of the stories - you have 3 here and they are all standalone (no surprise there really) however they all build on the myths of the Keys, what they are capable of and of the people who understand them.
Yes the original story was as much one of discovery as anything else (and there was plenty going on) but here you have at least two stories where the characters knew exactly what they were doing and for me this opens more possibilities that first realised.
Well one good thing is that in the afterwards it was all but promised that we will be returning to Lovecraft County at some point - I just hope its sooner than later
That said there is plenty of scope for more stories to be told - and as in the case of Grindhouse totally new places to go to. For me this opens the world up to so many more possibilities. The only concern being is that we are flooded with unrelated and isolated stories simply to exploit what is still in my eyes a unique and fascinating world.
However with Joe Hill at the reigns I suspect we are not going to be in danger of that any time soon.
So what of the stories - you have 3 here and they are all standalone (no surprise there really) however they all build on the myths of the Keys, what they are capable of and of the people who understand them.
Yes the original story was as much one of discovery as anything else (and there was plenty going on) but here you have at least two stories where the characters knew exactly what they were doing and for me this opens more possibilities that first realised.
Well one good thing is that in the afterwards it was all but promised that we will be returning to Lovecraft County at some point - I just hope its sooner than later
April 23, 2021
3.5
Esperaba más de "In the Can" que es la historia con Bode, Tyler y Kinsey pues resultó demasiado corta, y en general, el libro no es que aporte algo a la saga, la verdad, pero las historias que nos cuenta (por lo menos las primeros dos) me gustaron mucho.
El primero me sacó unas lágrimas y el segundo me gustó que mostrara una familia Locke que sabía lo que tenía y lo usaba a su favor.
Además el libro trae al final una recopilación de fotos muy divertidas de el autor, el ilustrador y otras personas que trabajaron en el proyecto, así como de lugares que inspiraron algunos escenarios de la saga.
Se lee muy rápido y disfruté volver a entrar en este mundo. ♡
Esperaba más de "In the Can" que es la historia con Bode, Tyler y Kinsey pues resultó demasiado corta, y en general, el libro no es que aporte algo a la saga, la verdad, pero las historias que nos cuenta (por lo menos las primeros dos) me gustaron mucho.
El primero me sacó unas lágrimas y el segundo me gustó que mostrara una familia Locke que sabía lo que tenía y lo usaba a su favor.
Además el libro trae al final una recopilación de fotos muy divertidas de el autor, el ilustrador y otras personas que trabajaron en el proyecto, así como de lugares que inspiraron algunos escenarios de la saga.
Se lee muy rápido y disfruté volver a entrar en este mundo. ♡
Read
December 14, 2017Another great edition to my favorite graphic novel series.
October 6, 2017
2.5 stars
Oh dear, I fear a rant coming on concerning the publishers. I don't understand this new wave of releasing graphic novels just for the sake of it. To be honest, the three little sketches in here (yes, sketches, they weren't fleshed out stories) were okay but nothing memorable. I really enjoyed 'Open the Moon' which had a bittersweet sentiment but should have been a lot longer. I found 'Grindhouse' a bit icky (has a focus on rape) *shudders* which I found unnecessary but I did like the twist. But the final story, I mean, was there even a point to it?! It just read like a very basic idea without any foundations to build upon. A waste of time in my opinion.
Having read all of the above, you may be wondering why the relatively high rating. Quite simply it's a trip down memory lane; I adored the Locke and Key series, it's one of my all-time favourites, the dialogue was pretty lean too and the illustrations were superb.
I would say only get this if you are a die-hard Locke and Key fan, otherwise save yourself some money and loan it from the library.
Oh dear, I fear a rant coming on concerning the publishers. I don't understand this new wave of releasing graphic novels just for the sake of it. To be honest, the three little sketches in here (yes, sketches, they weren't fleshed out stories) were okay but nothing memorable. I really enjoyed 'Open the Moon' which had a bittersweet sentiment but should have been a lot longer. I found 'Grindhouse' a bit icky (has a focus on rape) *shudders* which I found unnecessary but I did like the twist. But the final story, I mean, was there even a point to it?! It just read like a very basic idea without any foundations to build upon. A waste of time in my opinion.
Having read all of the above, you may be wondering why the relatively high rating. Quite simply it's a trip down memory lane; I adored the Locke and Key series, it's one of my all-time favourites, the dialogue was pretty lean too and the illustrations were superb.
I would say only get this if you are a die-hard Locke and Key fan, otherwise save yourself some money and loan it from the library.
November 22, 2024
Definitely not as good as the main series.
September 3, 2020
This is three short stories but really only 2. The last one is so short, it's like a baby one shot, and basically just shows the regular locke kids on a normal day using the key. Nothing special.
The two big stories here are the first, where a father is unsure of what to do about his son. Every night the boy gets sicker and the seizures he gets are killing him. So he decides to use the key and see if going into another world will help his son. This one is touching, sad, and a great ending. What a wonderful short story.
The other is grindhouse. And this pays tribute to the old over the top horror/thriller stories. 3 pieces of shit try to steal from the locke family while also trying to rape the girls in it. This is weird, sometimes funny, sometimes a bit sickening. But the way they use the keys here is pretty interesting. But this is mostly skippable and tone is weird.
A 3 out of 5 for the collection. First story a 4.5 the second a 2.
The two big stories here are the first, where a father is unsure of what to do about his son. Every night the boy gets sicker and the seizures he gets are killing him. So he decides to use the key and see if going into another world will help his son. This one is touching, sad, and a great ending. What a wonderful short story.
The other is grindhouse. And this pays tribute to the old over the top horror/thriller stories. 3 pieces of shit try to steal from the locke family while also trying to rape the girls in it. This is weird, sometimes funny, sometimes a bit sickening. But the way they use the keys here is pretty interesting. But this is mostly skippable and tone is weird.
A 3 out of 5 for the collection. First story a 4.5 the second a 2.
December 29, 2017
This one shot collection of Locke & Key features different eras of the Locke family in 3 separate comics that are combined for this edition.
Open the Moon is a comic featuring the Lockes of 1912, and was originally printed in The Guide to the Known Keys. This story is both whimsical and heartbreaking, and I advise fans to read Small World before picking this one up. The events in Small World happen prior to Open the Moon.
The next comic is a depression-era look at Keyhouse that was first printed in Grindhouse. A group of gangsters make the mistake of forcing themselves into Keyhouse in order to rob it, but they soon discover that the Lockes are more than able to take care of their unsavory visitors.
The final comic is called In the Can, and was originally published in the IDW 10 Year Anniversary Collection. This fun little comic takes readers back to the world of Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode.
The rest of the collection features pictures of Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez in Nahant, Mass, the inspiration for Lovecraft, as well as some addition Locke & Key art.
Open the Moon is a comic featuring the Lockes of 1912, and was originally printed in The Guide to the Known Keys. This story is both whimsical and heartbreaking, and I advise fans to read Small World before picking this one up. The events in Small World happen prior to Open the Moon.
The next comic is a depression-era look at Keyhouse that was first printed in Grindhouse. A group of gangsters make the mistake of forcing themselves into Keyhouse in order to rob it, but they soon discover that the Lockes are more than able to take care of their unsavory visitors.
The final comic is called In the Can, and was originally published in the IDW 10 Year Anniversary Collection. This fun little comic takes readers back to the world of Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode.
The rest of the collection features pictures of Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez in Nahant, Mass, the inspiration for Lovecraft, as well as some addition Locke & Key art.
December 24, 2023
As an extreme fan of Locke & Key, I was thrilled to see a book of collected stories set in the world of Keyhouse. Unfortunately, this book depends on your knowledge of the six-book series to understand the power of the keys that play a significant role in the stories. As two of the three stories are prequels, you are meeting family ancestors of the Locke children, and you will see some uncanny resemblances between generations.
Open The Moon– While this story could be a stand-alone, this story is better understood if you have read the issue Small World, as this has the family found in that story. We meet Chamberlin Locke and his wife Fiona and their four children. This story centers on their sickly son Ian, who is prone to convulsions and can’t be cured by the magical mending cabinet in their home. Ian, his father and family friend Harland board a special hot air balloon to take them to the other side of the moon. This beautiful but melancholy story reunites loved ones, and Ian’s parents make a heart-rending sacrifice for Ian.
Grindhouse– This crime-noir story is set in the 1930s and features some French-Canadian criminals that get in over their heads at the Keyhouse. Sisters Mary and Jean from the previous story are all grown up when the gangsters burst into their home and threaten them. Bombshell Mary is calm, even when her little boys are in danger and the women are forced upstairs to be assaulted. Luckily these two women know how to utilize the keys of the house to their advantage, and the crime spree ends in a shocking manner. This story is graphic and meant for mature audiences only.
In The Can– We are reunited with the three Locke siblings from the original series in this short. Spanning only a few pages, this story takes place in what I assume would be volume four when they are searching for additional keys in the house and grounds. Bode, the youngest, discovers a magical outhouse in the woods. Each time he opens the door different creatures greet him. In-jokes abound in this story, so be on the lookout for clues in the first few panels that will explain what Bode sees. That some of these creatures can be found in other IDW publications comes as no surprise.
The concluding pages in the book are a photo gallery of the Massachusetts region that the fictional town of Lovecraft is based on and the author and illustrator mugging for the camera. Then we are given three drawn portraits of Bode, Kinsey and Tyler with Locke & Key mythology behind them.
This hardback book is a treat for already-established Locke & Key fans and should not be missed if you miss the series and are waiting for the Netflix series to start filming.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2017/12/2...
Open The Moon– While this story could be a stand-alone, this story is better understood if you have read the issue Small World, as this has the family found in that story. We meet Chamberlin Locke and his wife Fiona and their four children. This story centers on their sickly son Ian, who is prone to convulsions and can’t be cured by the magical mending cabinet in their home. Ian, his father and family friend Harland board a special hot air balloon to take them to the other side of the moon. This beautiful but melancholy story reunites loved ones, and Ian’s parents make a heart-rending sacrifice for Ian.
Grindhouse– This crime-noir story is set in the 1930s and features some French-Canadian criminals that get in over their heads at the Keyhouse. Sisters Mary and Jean from the previous story are all grown up when the gangsters burst into their home and threaten them. Bombshell Mary is calm, even when her little boys are in danger and the women are forced upstairs to be assaulted. Luckily these two women know how to utilize the keys of the house to their advantage, and the crime spree ends in a shocking manner. This story is graphic and meant for mature audiences only.
In The Can– We are reunited with the three Locke siblings from the original series in this short. Spanning only a few pages, this story takes place in what I assume would be volume four when they are searching for additional keys in the house and grounds. Bode, the youngest, discovers a magical outhouse in the woods. Each time he opens the door different creatures greet him. In-jokes abound in this story, so be on the lookout for clues in the first few panels that will explain what Bode sees. That some of these creatures can be found in other IDW publications comes as no surprise.
The concluding pages in the book are a photo gallery of the Massachusetts region that the fictional town of Lovecraft is based on and the author and illustrator mugging for the camera. Then we are given three drawn portraits of Bode, Kinsey and Tyler with Locke & Key mythology behind them.
This hardback book is a treat for already-established Locke & Key fans and should not be missed if you miss the series and are waiting for the Netflix series to start filming.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2017/12/2...
March 31, 2021
2.5
I had a hard time rating this.
The first story I really enjoyed. I'd probably give it a 3.5/5. It was a heartbreaking and touching story about family, grief and what we would to for our loved ones. I was admittedly pleasantly surprised!
The second story ended in a satisfying way but I didn't really gell with the majority of the story. The characters really irritated me and didn't care much for the story line. For personal enjoyment this would probably be a 1 Star. However, I can acknowledgethis this is probably a personal preference deal and can see how it could apeal to others. So I'm giving it a 2/5.
The third one was hardly a story at all. It was so short and felt like it was thrown in at the last minute for a filler story. I will say that it seemed like an homage to NOS4A2. Maybe I'm wrong but that's how I took it. And given that NOS4A2 is one of my faves, I appreciated seeing it! 2.5/5
Over all, it was justt kinda meh. Most of the characters felt like a card board cut out. I understand it's hard to do in short stories. Let alone a short story graphic novel! But I also know it's not impossible. No real atmosphere and very simple writing. I also never felt very intruiged. I actually would get bored and look to see how many pages I had left. I just wanted it over with. They all had excellent plots though! And I think if you like the other Locke & Key graphic novels, (as much as it bumms me out to say it- I read the first two and didn't like them) I do think you would like this and should give it a shot
I had a hard time rating this.
The first story I really enjoyed. I'd probably give it a 3.5/5. It was a heartbreaking and touching story about family, grief and what we would to for our loved ones. I was admittedly pleasantly surprised!
The second story ended in a satisfying way but I didn't really gell with the majority of the story. The characters really irritated me and didn't care much for the story line. For personal enjoyment this would probably be a 1 Star. However, I can acknowledgethis this is probably a personal preference deal and can see how it could apeal to others. So I'm giving it a 2/5.
The third one was hardly a story at all. It was so short and felt like it was thrown in at the last minute for a filler story. I will say that it seemed like an homage to NOS4A2. Maybe I'm wrong but that's how I took it. And given that NOS4A2 is one of my faves, I appreciated seeing it! 2.5/5
Over all, it was justt kinda meh. Most of the characters felt like a card board cut out. I understand it's hard to do in short stories. Let alone a short story graphic novel! But I also know it's not impossible. No real atmosphere and very simple writing. I also never felt very intruiged. I actually would get bored and look to see how many pages I had left. I just wanted it over with. They all had excellent plots though! And I think if you like the other Locke & Key graphic novels, (as much as it bumms me out to say it- I read the first two and didn't like them) I do think you would like this and should give it a shot
November 21, 2022
So i thought this was a stand alone graphic novel, sadly its not
If you read open the moon and grindhouse somewhere else then you don't really need to read this.
The IDW anniversary story is ridiculous.
The photo album of the nerds behind this great work is fun, i am a nerd so no offense meant.
But let me gush some more about the legendary keysmith in izzy skelton, this guy looks the part and he delivers, i really think more fantasy comics should cooperate with him to bring some of their fantasy creations into real life, i wish i had all these cool things he creates.
If you read open the moon and grindhouse somewhere else then you don't really need to read this.
The IDW anniversary story is ridiculous.
The photo album of the nerds behind this great work is fun, i am a nerd so no offense meant.
But let me gush some more about the legendary keysmith in izzy skelton, this guy looks the part and he delivers, i really think more fantasy comics should cooperate with him to bring some of their fantasy creations into real life, i wish i had all these cool things he creates.
October 24, 2017
Really enjoyed the first story (Open the Moon!), about a father and son - sad and touching. I did not like the second story (Grindhouse!) - though it turned out okay in the end, I didn't like the focus on rape. Finally, I wish the last story had been longer because I miss Bode, Kinsey, and Tyler. The rest of the book featured pictures of the creators and some gallery art.
January 1, 2019
Este volumen contiene tres historias cortas ambientadas en el universo de Locke & Key. Me ha parecido un tanto flojo, y creo que solo gustará a los completistas.
-‘Abre la luna’, homenaje a Ray Bradbury, es el viaje que le regala un padre a su hijo enfermo.
-’Grindhouse’, la mejor historia del cómic, nos cuenta lo que les sucede a un grupo de criminales que acuden a la Casa de las Llaves para hacer más tropelías.
-’En el bote’, donde volvemos a encontrarnos de nuevo con los tres niños protagonistas de la historia principal, Ty, Kinsey y Bode. Muy, muy floja.
El volumen se completa con material adicional, como láminas y fotos de los autores en el lugar en que se inspiraron para crear la población de Lovecraft.
-‘Abre la luna’, homenaje a Ray Bradbury, es el viaje que le regala un padre a su hijo enfermo.
-’Grindhouse’, la mejor historia del cómic, nos cuenta lo que les sucede a un grupo de criminales que acuden a la Casa de las Llaves para hacer más tropelías.
-’En el bote’, donde volvemos a encontrarnos de nuevo con los tres niños protagonistas de la historia principal, Ty, Kinsey y Bode. Muy, muy floja.
El volumen se completa con material adicional, como láminas y fotos de los autores en el lugar en que se inspiraron para crear la población de Lovecraft.
November 17, 2017
A very brief offering of Locke & Key miscellanea, Heaven and Earth features three century-spanning tales of the Locke family and their house of magic keys. A father gives his bedridden child a comforting end via a hot air balloon ride to the backstage of the moon. Vile Canadian bank robbers don't fair well when they decide to hole up in the Keyhouse. Young master Bode finds a magical outhouse...Anyway, the remaining twenty pages feature photographs of Joe and Gabriel posing at the real life seaside cavern that was used as a visual reference for the seaside cavern that plays such a fateful role in the series proper. For diehard Locke & Keyheads only.
February 28, 2020
So I've read the first five volumes of the Locke & Key series. I don't know why I've not picked up the sixth and I really need to make some time for it. It wasn't until I saw the Netflix trailer that I got to looking to see what else might be out there. I stumbled across this edition and grabbed because I wanted to visit that world again.
There are three different tales in this edition which take us back to look at some original Locke family tales. "In the Can!" was interesting enough but I really enjoyed "Open the Moon!" It was quite sweet and very entertaining. "Grindhouse!" wasn't bad but I will mention a trigger warning for rape and brutality. However, this is a graphic novel and I can't say it really bothered me much.
On one hand I'm glad I picked this up but on the other, I didn't find it overly spectacular. The artwork was great as always and if you are a die-hard fan of the series, this is one you're definitely going to want to read, if nothing but to fill in some backstory.
There are three different tales in this edition which take us back to look at some original Locke family tales. "In the Can!" was interesting enough but I really enjoyed "Open the Moon!" It was quite sweet and very entertaining. "Grindhouse!" wasn't bad but I will mention a trigger warning for rape and brutality. However, this is a graphic novel and I can't say it really bothered me much.
On one hand I'm glad I picked this up but on the other, I didn't find it overly spectacular. The artwork was great as always and if you are a die-hard fan of the series, this is one you're definitely going to want to read, if nothing but to fill in some backstory.
March 30, 2024
Decent book.
This was a collection of a few very short stories set in the Locke and Key universe. I enjoyed them all. Four stars.
This was a collection of a few very short stories set in the Locke and Key universe. I enjoyed them all. Four stars.
March 20, 2020
This includes two more of the Locke & Key shorts about the past of the Locke family and the Key house, and it's delightful. The two stories imply a continuity linking the past with the present, but they also tell the very human stories of the Lockes of those times (while also mimicking comics of the era!). "Open the Moon" is a very strong story about life and death, about parents and children that touches the heart. "Grindhouse" is a somewhat grimmer story about Depression-era crime, and how the Lockes might respond to it. There's also a short crossover story from some IDW collection which is pretty meh.
I'd much prefer a new Locke & Key opus, but it's great to have all of these older shorts in one place.
I'd much prefer a new Locke & Key opus, but it's great to have all of these older shorts in one place.
March 3, 2018
I think if I paid $15 for this, I would be annoyed, because it's...slight. To put it kindly. But I got it from the library. Yay, libraries!
The first story, "Open the Moon," is understated and sad and lovely.
The second, "Grindhouse," is a delightfully evil revenge caper and I loved it because I have questionable morals sometimes. The four-star rating is almost entirely for how much pleasure I got out of these scant pages.
The rest of the book is filler and whatever.
If you enjoy this series, see if your local library will come to the rescue. Because again: libraries are awesome.
The first story, "Open the Moon," is understated and sad and lovely.
The second, "Grindhouse," is a delightfully evil revenge caper and I loved it because I have questionable morals sometimes. The four-star rating is almost entirely for how much pleasure I got out of these scant pages.
The rest of the book is filler and whatever.
If you enjoy this series, see if your local library will come to the rescue. Because again: libraries are awesome.
December 12, 2018
4.5 Stars
So good, but too short. Basically a few short stories on our favorite family. I loved every inch of it and wanted more. :(
So good, but too short. Basically a few short stories on our favorite family. I loved every inch of it and wanted more. :(
November 9, 2022
Heaven & earth
In this graphic novel you get to read about the locke family. Some of the stories are better than others.
In this graphic novel you get to read about the locke family. Some of the stories are better than others.
February 14, 2018
A nice little addon to the series. The first story is very sad, but I while the real life section is quite fun.
December 7, 2021
Open the Moon - 5 stars
Grindhouse - 2.5/3 stars, this one is not my style at all but I do appreciate the Lockes' "fuck around and find out" attitude
In the Can - 3 stars
Bonus photos and art - 5 stars, I'm a sucker for "process" crap and seeing ACTUAL KEYS is just <3333
Grindhouse - 2.5/3 stars, this one is not my style at all but I do appreciate the Lockes' "fuck around and find out" attitude
In the Can - 3 stars
Bonus photos and art - 5 stars, I'm a sucker for "process" crap and seeing ACTUAL KEYS is just <3333
Read
August 30, 2017Can it really be three years since Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez' dark fantasy epic concluded? Apparently so. This appendix collects subsequent short stories set in and around Keyhouse - though strangely, given how slim it is, not all of them (arachnophobes' nightmare 'Small World' is omitted without explanation). Which means you get the gruesome yet fun pastiche of pre-Code crime comics, 'Grindhouse'; the utterly beautiful homage to Winsor McCay ,'Open the Moon'; and the inessential 'In the Can', essentially a visual namecheck for a bunch of other IDW comics. That the same artist can carry them all off - even with a lot of help from the letterer &c - is testament to a versatility I wouldn't necessarily have ascribed to Rodríguez in those chintastic early episodes. But even with the book also featuring some sweet photos of the creative team visiting the real-world locations which inspired Lovecraft, it does feel slender, and might perhaps have been better left until there were a few more one-shots to collect.
May 5, 2020
La storia di Locke & Key termina con il sesto volume. Questo settimo volume è una mera commercialata in cui sono presenti tre brevissimi racconti.
Il primo è molto carino e commovente, il secondo è il migliore a livello di intrattenimento e il terzo non ha senso.
Nel secondo racconto è presente però una cosa davvero di cattivo gusto: una ragazza che si scontra con un malvivente utilizza una delle chiavi magiche per trasformarsi in un maschio e per trasformare il malvivente in una ragazza, così da poterlo picchiare. Ma seriamente? C'è davvero bisogno di una rappresentazione del genere? Una donna che ha bisogno di trasformarsi in un uomo per potersi difendere? E oltretutto c'è bisogno di trasformare un uomo in una donna per farlo sentire piccolo ed umiliato? ANCHE NO!
Diciamo che rispetto a quanto mi fosse piaciuta tutta la serie, questo volume è stato deludente.
Vale la pena però elogiare di nuovo Gabriel Rodriguez che anche in questo volume offre tavole pazzesche, riuscendo ad adeguare diversi stili di disegno a tre diversi racconti.
Il primo è molto carino e commovente, il secondo è il migliore a livello di intrattenimento e il terzo non ha senso.
Nel secondo racconto è presente però una cosa davvero di cattivo gusto: una ragazza che si scontra con un malvivente utilizza una delle chiavi magiche per trasformarsi in un maschio e per trasformare il malvivente in una ragazza, così da poterlo picchiare. Ma seriamente? C'è davvero bisogno di una rappresentazione del genere? Una donna che ha bisogno di trasformarsi in un uomo per potersi difendere? E oltretutto c'è bisogno di trasformare un uomo in una donna per farlo sentire piccolo ed umiliato? ANCHE NO!
Diciamo che rispetto a quanto mi fosse piaciuta tutta la serie, questo volume è stato deludente.
Vale la pena però elogiare di nuovo Gabriel Rodriguez che anche in questo volume offre tavole pazzesche, riuscendo ad adeguare diversi stili di disegno a tre diversi racconti.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews