Gabriel Rodriguez

The coils of the plot tighten with a dreadful inevitability as the kids are beset by the attacks of the Dark lady from the outside and their own mistakes and uncertainties on the inside, not to mention the insidious Zack. Ty Kinsey and Bode are stronger than they know, however, even when n the dark, and they're slowly putting the ices together. Will they be in time. The horror mounts, the brilliant baroque fantasy of the powered keys set against the claustrophobic sense of pitiless and show more manipulative forces and the uncontrollable urges and pains of teenage emotions - or the absence of them, in Kinsey' case, which is even worse. Amazing writing and art create a compelling, driving, twisting narrative. show less

This is graphic novel collection number five of the amazing Locke & Key series, about a house full of magical keys and the wonderful and terrible things the three kids living there manage to unlock. This installment, thanks to a little look-but-don't-touch time travel, fills in lots and lots of backstory, and it does so extremely well. Everything is explained and everything fits together: the origin of the keys, the origin of the series' villain, why only the kids are aware of and able to show more use the keys, all kinds of things. And yet, it never feels like tedious exposition, but is instead an effective and very sad story in its own right. I was already thinking that when this series is finally finished I might like to go back and read it again, without the annoying waits between volumes. Reading this one has just cemented that intention, because I think there are a lot of things that will feel interestingly different on a second read.

Oh, and as usual, the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. show less

First, a confession: I never quite understood the appeal of comic books and graphic novels. Over the years I've hung out with many people (mostly men) who collected and devoured them. And while I'm at it, I'll sheepishly admit to being a bit of a snob about graphic novels. Those weren't "real" books. And here's where I apologize to everyone who's read a graphic novel and loved it. I'm sorry I was such a snob.

Because I loved Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft, and I simply cannot wait until show more the next one arrives. Within the first few pages, I wanted to cry for this family whose lives were shattered by murder. Farther in, I wanted to warn a little boy to stay away from the voice he heard in the well. My heart may have actually skipped a beat as I read. The art, the story. I have been missing out.

Thanks to my friend Kevin, who gave this to me as a birthday gift, and who has promised to send the others when he can. He has been so generous and has turned me on to some incredible books. Where would we be without our friends who grab us by the arm and say, "ZOMG!!!! You have to read this!" show less

Locke & Key has been nothing but spectacular since it's inception. Hill and Rodriguez, despite crafting a series about keys that literally do the impossible, have created these very relatable characters that are both memorable and seemingly real. You hurt when they hurt, cheer when they overcome and anticipate what happens next when the story ends. These are all feelings that an author wants to pull from their audience and Hill does it so well that it's hard to believe that he's still so show more young in his career.

As the story continues in Crown of Shadows, we're met with the discovery of more keys and the further deteroration of Nina. Nina's decent is heartbreaking to say the least. I've experienced the effect she's having on her kids through the actions of my own mother when I was a child. It never got to a point of physical violence but the alcohol abuse and hurtful words certainly had an effect on me.

A lot happens here but with Rodriguez's skillful hand, the panels are constructed tightly and the suspense is built adquately. Aside from Sean Phillips, Rodriguez might be my favorite artist at the moment.

On a side note, there's a great foreward written by Brian K. Vaughn (Y: The Last Man). To receive praises from a guy who wrote one of the most critically acclaimed series of the last decade is not a bad review at all. show less