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Locke & Key
Locke & Key, Vol. 6: Alpha & Omega
The shadows have never been darker and the end has never been closer. Turn the key and open the last door; it's time to say goodbye.
The final arc of New York Times bestselling Locke & Key comes to a thundrous and compelling conclusion.
An event not to be missed!
Collects Alpha #1-2 and Omega #1-5 .
The final arc of New York Times bestselling Locke & Key comes to a thundrous and compelling conclusion.
An event not to be missed!
Collects Alpha #1-2 and Omega #1-5 .
192 pages, Hardcover
First published February 5, 2014
159 people are currently reading
10.7k people want to read
About the author
Joe Hill
480books27.9kfollowersJoe 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 ŷ 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,765 reviews
June 28, 2022
The final days have so many ups and downs, and twists and turns and yet perfectly complete this wonderful series as it should do... with Lockes and keys.
The final three comic books in this series easily rate Five Star reads, but the overall volume gets a 9 out of 12, which means the creators saved the best 'til last!
2016 read
The final three comic books in this series easily rate Five Star reads, but the overall volume gets a 9 out of 12, which means the creators saved the best 'til last!
2016 read
June 2, 2015
The final showdown! Good vs Evil!
No, I'm not going to ruin it by rehashing what happens.
You'll have to find that out for yourself. And you should...
I will say that there are unlikely (and even unlikable) heroes who step up to the plate in this volume. There are tragic deaths, unbelievable sacrifice, and gut-wrenching loss. But there's also forgiveness, understanding, and healing.
The thing that stands out to me about this entire series is that there are no throwaway characters.
Not the friends, not the teachers, not the parents...not even the little bird.
Everyone is significant. Everyone has a story. And everyone counts.
Yes, the story filled with supernatural terrors, but that's not really the thing that makes these books so special. It's the insightful look at a family coming together, while at the same time, falling apart.
It's about the way unconditional love mixes with guilt and pain, and turns into something beautiful and strong.
It's the way it shows a boy coming of age. When the rage of rebellion gives way to the realization that his father had once been young, been selfish and flawed, been brave and kind...been human.
The end?
Well, it ended the way it should.
Highly recommended.
Thanks for giving me a chance to read these, Dan 2.0!
No, I'm not going to ruin it by rehashing what happens.
You'll have to find that out for yourself. And you should...
I will say that there are unlikely (and even unlikable) heroes who step up to the plate in this volume. There are tragic deaths, unbelievable sacrifice, and gut-wrenching loss. But there's also forgiveness, understanding, and healing.
The thing that stands out to me about this entire series is that there are no throwaway characters.
Not the friends, not the teachers, not the parents...not even the little bird.
Everyone is significant. Everyone has a story. And everyone counts.
Yes, the story filled with supernatural terrors, but that's not really the thing that makes these books so special. It's the insightful look at a family coming together, while at the same time, falling apart.
It's about the way unconditional love mixes with guilt and pain, and turns into something beautiful and strong.
It's the way it shows a boy coming of age. When the rage of rebellion gives way to the realization that his father had once been young, been selfish and flawed, been brave and kind...been human.
The end?
Well, it ended the way it should.
Highly recommended.
Thanks for giving me a chance to read these, Dan 2.0!
December 30, 2014
So much depends on the end of a series. If things don't wrap up well, then entire story tends to deflate. (Think Matrix if you don't believe me.)
Happily, this series ends well. Part of me wishes the overall story arc would have been longer... but honestly, that's a good way to feel at the end of things, and it's much better than the alternative. (Which is to wish that the series had ended several books ago.)
Happily, this series ends well. Part of me wishes the overall story arc would have been longer... but honestly, that's a good way to feel at the end of things, and it's much better than the alternative. (Which is to wish that the series had ended several books ago.)
April 23, 2015
Find all of my reviews at:
“Keys turn both ways . . .�
Me =
but, you know, less lumpy.
If you follow my reviews you already know that comic books � graphic novels? � whatever the f*&^ is the politically correct term � are something new I’ve recently added to my reading repertoire. I was lucky enough to snag all six volumes of Locke & Key from the library at once. However, as soon as I sat down with Welcome to Lovecraft I found myself mesmerized, kinda like this guy . . .
and knew there was no way I was going to rush through them. After receiving an overdue notice from the library for Alpha & Omega I figured it was probably time to suck it up and finish. And now I want to go back and start all over. This is definitely a series that I will be purchasing for my own bookshelves.
This last volume was absolutely perfect. No "i" was left undotted, no "t" left uncrossed. All of the mysteries of Key House are explained and a most unlikely hero emerges, which left me just . . .
Per usual, the artwork was brilliant and filled with detail . . .
Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the writing. Maybe this is why the title “graphic novel� was created. Locke & Key truly read like a novel . . .
“Death isn’t the end of your life, you know. Your body is a lock. Death is the key. The key turns . . . and you’re free. To be anywhere, everywhere. Two places at once. Nowhere. Part of the background hum of the universe.�
If none of that has worked to convince you that you should probably give this a shot � how about the awesome shout out Volume 6 gives to “Anarchy in the U.K.�????
Mr. Hill and Mr. Rodriguez, what a long, strange trip this has been. I can’t thank you enough for taking me on it.
“Keys turn both ways . . .�
Me =
but, you know, less lumpy.
If you follow my reviews you already know that comic books � graphic novels? � whatever the f*&^ is the politically correct term � are something new I’ve recently added to my reading repertoire. I was lucky enough to snag all six volumes of Locke & Key from the library at once. However, as soon as I sat down with Welcome to Lovecraft I found myself mesmerized, kinda like this guy . . .
and knew there was no way I was going to rush through them. After receiving an overdue notice from the library for Alpha & Omega I figured it was probably time to suck it up and finish. And now I want to go back and start all over. This is definitely a series that I will be purchasing for my own bookshelves.
This last volume was absolutely perfect. No "i" was left undotted, no "t" left uncrossed. All of the mysteries of Key House are explained and a most unlikely hero emerges, which left me just . . .
Per usual, the artwork was brilliant and filled with detail . . .
Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the writing. Maybe this is why the title “graphic novel� was created. Locke & Key truly read like a novel . . .
“Death isn’t the end of your life, you know. Your body is a lock. Death is the key. The key turns . . . and you’re free. To be anywhere, everywhere. Two places at once. Nowhere. Part of the background hum of the universe.�
If none of that has worked to convince you that you should probably give this a shot � how about the awesome shout out Volume 6 gives to “Anarchy in the U.K.�????
Mr. Hill and Mr. Rodriguez, what a long, strange trip this has been. I can’t thank you enough for taking me on it.
October 13, 2021
An excellent conclusion to a wonderful story! I know there's more to read, but I think it the main story done, and it wrapped up so well! Intense, dark, with an ending I loved. I was so impressed by the evolution of all the characters, especially Tyler.
I'm rereading the series now, and will be updating my reviews as I go, though I think I'll still keep them quite brief. If you like graphic novels and haven't gotten to these yet, I highly recommend them!
I'm rereading the series now, and will be updating my reviews as I go, though I think I'll still keep them quite brief. If you like graphic novels and haven't gotten to these yet, I highly recommend them!
April 14, 2018
The series is now complete and all the questions have their answers. This is the bloodiest volume of the series. I think the poor town will be mourning people for years.
Dodge has the upper hand all the way through this volume. It did look like he was going to win. He is truly evil in this one. Every character goes through some horrors in this one. Rufus has a shining moment here and he is a great character, maybe my favorite. I did think the end with Bode was a bit Deux ex machina, but it was a good ending. After all the darkness of this one, we needed it.
This whole series was fantastic. I give this 5 stars for this volume and the series as a whole. It is some excellent writing - great art and it does not spare it's characters.
Dodge has the upper hand all the way through this volume. It did look like he was going to win. He is truly evil in this one. Every character goes through some horrors in this one. Rufus has a shining moment here and he is a great character, maybe my favorite. I did think the end with Bode was a bit Deux ex machina, but it was a good ending. After all the darkness of this one, we needed it.
This whole series was fantastic. I give this 5 stars for this volume and the series as a whole. It is some excellent writing - great art and it does not spare it's characters.
November 13, 2015
oooooo.... thrilling conclusion to a thrilling series!
teens in danger!
a possessed little boy!
a magical house with a magical history!
a trans-dimensional threat wants to rule the earth!
our fathers' sins will always come back to haunt the present!
top-notch writing! superlative art!
things fall apart; everything comes together!
oh, and a bloodbath at the prom after-party!
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: if you haven't read the previous volumes in this series, read them first. or reread them if it has been a while. Locke & Key is one big story with lots of little stories within that big story. except for its two spin-offs, it is not a series of self-contained adventures. even though the series is divided into separate parts, these aren't "arcs" per se. everything connects. and it doesn't try to catch you up either. one big story.
the conclusion to this great series did not disappoint. all questions answered and everyone has their moment. even a little deus ex machina thrown in - but with all of the darkness and death that preceded it, I was perfectly fine with that. it made me happy. the whole series made me happy. which is a crazy thing to say about a series that features so many tormented, wounded souls and so much awful suffering woven into the exciting and darkly sparkling adventures. the fabulous art - with its charmingly expressive characters and constantly creative use of panel and page - certainly helped with the happy-making. but the key is Hill. the apple must not fall far from the tree because Joe Hill has all of his father's wonderful humanism: an innate sympathy with his characters and their trials & tribulations, an innate empathy for humans in general - good, bad, and otherwise. the warm glow of that humanism is part of what sets this series apart, and it made this finale really moving.
but Hill is not only a humanist - his imagination is also something really special. I don't think he accomplished anything particularly new or challenging in this series - but he uses all of the old horror standbys and tropes in such a fun, refreshing way. he refines and deepens them. is this a pastiche of sorts? maybe. but I hate to intellectualize such an achievement by defining it as "pastiche" - the series is a genuinely emotional experience.
I gave this volume and its predecessors 4 stars each, and its two spin-offs 3 stars. but taken as a whole, Locke & Key is 5 stars. one of my all-time favorite comics.
thank you, Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez!
teens in danger!
a possessed little boy!
a magical house with a magical history!
a trans-dimensional threat wants to rule the earth!
our fathers' sins will always come back to haunt the present!
top-notch writing! superlative art!
things fall apart; everything comes together!
oh, and a bloodbath at the prom after-party!
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: if you haven't read the previous volumes in this series, read them first. or reread them if it has been a while. Locke & Key is one big story with lots of little stories within that big story. except for its two spin-offs, it is not a series of self-contained adventures. even though the series is divided into separate parts, these aren't "arcs" per se. everything connects. and it doesn't try to catch you up either. one big story.
the conclusion to this great series did not disappoint. all questions answered and everyone has their moment. even a little deus ex machina thrown in - but with all of the darkness and death that preceded it, I was perfectly fine with that. it made me happy. the whole series made me happy. which is a crazy thing to say about a series that features so many tormented, wounded souls and so much awful suffering woven into the exciting and darkly sparkling adventures. the fabulous art - with its charmingly expressive characters and constantly creative use of panel and page - certainly helped with the happy-making. but the key is Hill. the apple must not fall far from the tree because Joe Hill has all of his father's wonderful humanism: an innate sympathy with his characters and their trials & tribulations, an innate empathy for humans in general - good, bad, and otherwise. the warm glow of that humanism is part of what sets this series apart, and it made this finale really moving.
but Hill is not only a humanist - his imagination is also something really special. I don't think he accomplished anything particularly new or challenging in this series - but he uses all of the old horror standbys and tropes in such a fun, refreshing way. he refines and deepens them. is this a pastiche of sorts? maybe. but I hate to intellectualize such an achievement by defining it as "pastiche" - the series is a genuinely emotional experience.
I gave this volume and its predecessors 4 stars each, and its two spin-offs 3 stars. but taken as a whole, Locke & Key is 5 stars. one of my all-time favorite comics.
thank you, Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez!
April 2, 2018
There are a couple of advantages that come with waiting for a graphic novel series to be completed before picking it up. Besides the obvious ability to move at your own pace, or binge factor, the more advantageous benefit is that it actually reads more like, you know, a “novel� than a series of brief episodes. So rather than doing an individual review for each volume, I think a brief summary of the entire collection will suffice.
Vol. 1 ★★★★☆�
� Magic, science, history, unraveling the mystery, that all started with a big bang, BANG! �
Fabulous start to an epic adventure.
Vol. 2 ★★★★�
In volume two Bode’s siblings finally got the chance to join in on the fun, when they discover the magic of Keyhouse. I loved the concept of the Head Key, which gave the wielder the ability to place or remove items directly into one’s head. Need to bone up on a reading assignment? No sweat, just drop in the book. Done! A painful memory or fear holding you back? No problem, just pluck it out. Easy peasy! The action was toned down, as a few backstories were filled in, so it wasn’t quite as exciting as the first volume.
Vol. 3 ★★★☆�
Volume three, through no fault of its own, introduced me to one of the potential downsides to binging through a graphic novel � burnout. I actually had to set the series aside for a while after this one. Although some clever new keys were introduced—The Crow of Shadows and the subsequent artwork were mesmerizing—the story felt too one-note and small-scale, for my taste. Whereas we ventured from coast to coast early on in the narrative, the rest of the tale was to occur only in and around the small island of Lovecraft, with the same handful of characters we’ve grown to love or hate by now.
Vol. 4 ★★★★�
Wow, my time away seemed to have paid dividends � the fourth volume was flat out fantastic! The artistry and creativity were taken to a whole new level. I loved the Calvin and Hobbes episode. The Animal Key, Skin Key, and Music Box Key all were great fun. The third episode skipping from day to day over an entire month was perhaps a bit rushed, but you still got the gist of what was going on, and they explained why it was done that way. More importantly, the action ticked up a notch, so hats off to the entire creative team. Volume four was my favorite of the series.
Vol. 5 ★★★★�
The vast majority of volume five was an origin story. Here we learned how the keys came into existence, and finally saw the face of our real enemy. We also learned more about the long and twisted history of Keyhouse, and witnessed the tragic events of their father’s generation. Great volume, no complaints.
Vol. 6 ★★★★☆�
The End is Here: Alpha & Omega, or is it Omega & Alpha, hmm? This was a phenomenal, tension-filled conclusion. How did it all shake out? Can the evil be contained? What happened to our family? Who lived, who died? Read it and find out - no spoilers here. For my money though, I thought it was a marvelous conclusion to a remarkable series.
So to wrap things up—having run out of superlatives—great start, lulled a bit in the middle, but things got back on track rather quickly and it all came together for a satisfying conclusion. My average for the entire collection comes to 4.17 stars, which is a pretty high number coming from the guy who hates everything. Overall, I was impressed by the creative teams� imagination and well thought out concepts. The scope of the series was not as wide-reaching as I had envisioned, but let’s not kid ourselves - the artwork was the real star of the show. Spectacular! So many poster worthy cells that I failed to include in my review, not because I’m lazy, surely not, but rather to allow you the pleasure of discovering them for yourself. 😏
Vol. 1 ★★★★☆�
� Magic, science, history, unraveling the mystery, that all started with a big bang, BANG! �
Fabulous start to an epic adventure.
Vol. 2 ★★★★�
In volume two Bode’s siblings finally got the chance to join in on the fun, when they discover the magic of Keyhouse. I loved the concept of the Head Key, which gave the wielder the ability to place or remove items directly into one’s head. Need to bone up on a reading assignment? No sweat, just drop in the book. Done! A painful memory or fear holding you back? No problem, just pluck it out. Easy peasy! The action was toned down, as a few backstories were filled in, so it wasn’t quite as exciting as the first volume.
Vol. 3 ★★★☆�
Volume three, through no fault of its own, introduced me to one of the potential downsides to binging through a graphic novel � burnout. I actually had to set the series aside for a while after this one. Although some clever new keys were introduced—The Crow of Shadows and the subsequent artwork were mesmerizing—the story felt too one-note and small-scale, for my taste. Whereas we ventured from coast to coast early on in the narrative, the rest of the tale was to occur only in and around the small island of Lovecraft, with the same handful of characters we’ve grown to love or hate by now.
Vol. 4 ★★★★�
Wow, my time away seemed to have paid dividends � the fourth volume was flat out fantastic! The artistry and creativity were taken to a whole new level. I loved the Calvin and Hobbes episode. The Animal Key, Skin Key, and Music Box Key all were great fun. The third episode skipping from day to day over an entire month was perhaps a bit rushed, but you still got the gist of what was going on, and they explained why it was done that way. More importantly, the action ticked up a notch, so hats off to the entire creative team. Volume four was my favorite of the series.
Vol. 5 ★★★★�
The vast majority of volume five was an origin story. Here we learned how the keys came into existence, and finally saw the face of our real enemy. We also learned more about the long and twisted history of Keyhouse, and witnessed the tragic events of their father’s generation. Great volume, no complaints.
Vol. 6 ★★★★☆�
The End is Here: Alpha & Omega, or is it Omega & Alpha, hmm? This was a phenomenal, tension-filled conclusion. How did it all shake out? Can the evil be contained? What happened to our family? Who lived, who died? Read it and find out - no spoilers here. For my money though, I thought it was a marvelous conclusion to a remarkable series.
So to wrap things up—having run out of superlatives—great start, lulled a bit in the middle, but things got back on track rather quickly and it all came together for a satisfying conclusion. My average for the entire collection comes to 4.17 stars, which is a pretty high number coming from the guy who hates everything. Overall, I was impressed by the creative teams� imagination and well thought out concepts. The scope of the series was not as wide-reaching as I had envisioned, but let’s not kid ourselves - the artwork was the real star of the show. Spectacular! So many poster worthy cells that I failed to include in my review, not because I’m lazy, surely not, but rather to allow you the pleasure of discovering them for yourself. 😏
November 2, 2017
Well, that was gut wrenching. Damn you, Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez for making me care so much about make-believe characters! The whole volume I was biting my nails and even when a minor character died, I found myself in anguish for them. I found myself dreading every turn of the page afraid of what I might find. This thing was so intense, I need to let myself relax now.
In Alpha, we get closure, remorse, denouement, and even a little happiness. All in all, a great ending to a fantastic series. This is one series I'll find myself revisiting over the coming years.
P.S. Joe Hill, I loved the little nod to your dad during the prom.
Original Review
Probably the best series I've read in the last 10 years. Great art and story. It's up there with modern day classics such as Y - the Last Man, Fables, and Sandman.
In Alpha, we get closure, remorse, denouement, and even a little happiness. All in all, a great ending to a fantastic series. This is one series I'll find myself revisiting over the coming years.
P.S. Joe Hill, I loved the little nod to your dad during the prom.
Original Review
Probably the best series I've read in the last 10 years. Great art and story. It's up there with modern day classics such as Y - the Last Man, Fables, and Sandman.
August 9, 2016
I read the first volume of Locke & Key early in 2015, and I enjoyed it. It was a great introduction to the series and I learned to like the characters a lot. 5 volumes in and I've rated all of them 4 stars. This 6th and last volume finally got the 5 star rating. I was leaning towards 4 stars though, but I decided to give it a 5, because the overall series is amazing.
This last volume is the grittiest one of all. It is the concluding volume, so I was expecting a bit of cliche coming. I mostly dislike last volumes/books because they tend to ruin the series overall. This one on the other hand gave the series justice. I liked how Hill and Rodriguez wrote the ending. It wasn't off-putting. It's hard to write a review without spoiling something, so I won't dwell much on the plot. It sucks when someone spoils an amazing series, especially the ending, so I won't be that asshole.
I'm recommending the series in general because it's a fun ride. The premise itself made me want to read this right away. It's interesting how the authors introduced different keys in different volumes. Each one contributed heavily on the plot. The ideas they focused on are very interesting. It's not just a simple story, but there are things to decipher in between.
5/5 stars for the series overall. This volume probably deserves 4.5, but I'm rounding up. This is the graphic novel you should read if you want depth in the plot, amazing character development, and vivid artwork. I'm glad that this was my last read of 2015, and I'm also glad that I finished a whole series.
This last volume is the grittiest one of all. It is the concluding volume, so I was expecting a bit of cliche coming. I mostly dislike last volumes/books because they tend to ruin the series overall. This one on the other hand gave the series justice. I liked how Hill and Rodriguez wrote the ending. It wasn't off-putting. It's hard to write a review without spoiling something, so I won't dwell much on the plot. It sucks when someone spoils an amazing series, especially the ending, so I won't be that asshole.
I'm recommending the series in general because it's a fun ride. The premise itself made me want to read this right away. It's interesting how the authors introduced different keys in different volumes. Each one contributed heavily on the plot. The ideas they focused on are very interesting. It's not just a simple story, but there are things to decipher in between.
5/5 stars for the series overall. This volume probably deserves 4.5, but I'm rounding up. This is the graphic novel you should read if you want depth in the plot, amazing character development, and vivid artwork. I'm glad that this was my last read of 2015, and I'm also glad that I finished a whole series.
July 30, 2019
Wow! What an absolutely STUNNING conclusion to this amazing series. It’s so far from what I expected to happen but it’s so damn perfect, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to this series. Hill is just pure genius, the way this story unfolds throughout the series is just mind blowing. This volume had to be my favourite out of the whole series, Hill really takes it to a whole new level for this final volume and it’s just a masterpiece. And as usual, Rodriguez absolutely kills it with the gorgeous illustrations!
March 8, 2020
I am finishing the Netflix series tonight as I finish rereading the series, which I of course can't really talk about in any real specificity, except to reiterate that this is one of the great comics series of all time, with a pull-out-all-the stops, slam-bam operatic finish. I have no idea how the milder tv series (that I really do like, still, and recommend AFTER reading) will end at this point, and will add some reflections about those differences later, but if you think this is going to be a completely all-feel-good ending, you should not forget that this is horror, and Joe Hill is, after all, Stephen King's son. On the other hand, as in most classic horror, there is some of that Aristotelian catharsis going on here, and ultimately all's-(pretty much) right-with-the world.
So let's just say (some) people do die in this last volume, and most of yr questions are answered. I like Hill's Daddy tribute with a twisted, funny Carrie homecoming queen reference. There are plenty of tears, some related to reconciliations, including one moment with (spoiler alert, maybe I am saying too much here?, sorry) Dead Dad Rendell and Tyler.
I think my favorite characters are Rufus--who puts the Ability back into Disability by taking a central role in the Big Finish--and Bode, but Dodge/Lucas (and so on) is also quite a worthy Demon to represent the Forces of Evil. Oh, I like the whole family and most of the family and friends, really. The art from Rodriguez matches the storytelling of Hill, and it's quite a finish. I have yet to re-read a couple of the stand-alones, but may do that. A worthy tribute to H. P. Lovecraft, finally.
So let's just say (some) people do die in this last volume, and most of yr questions are answered. I like Hill's Daddy tribute with a twisted, funny Carrie homecoming queen reference. There are plenty of tears, some related to reconciliations, including one moment with (spoiler alert, maybe I am saying too much here?, sorry) Dead Dad Rendell and Tyler.
I think my favorite characters are Rufus--who puts the Ability back into Disability by taking a central role in the Big Finish--and Bode, but Dodge/Lucas (and so on) is also quite a worthy Demon to represent the Forces of Evil. Oh, I like the whole family and most of the family and friends, really. The art from Rodriguez matches the storytelling of Hill, and it's quite a finish. I have yet to re-read a couple of the stand-alones, but may do that. A worthy tribute to H. P. Lovecraft, finally.
August 11, 2019
5 STARS!
And the Locke and Key series is finished! I really liked the ending along with everything that happens with Dodge.
It seemed that every character, even the side characters had a part to play in the series. I really enjoyed cheering for everyone that was fighting the demons and darkness at the Keyhouse and down in the caves.
This was a great graphic novel series to start with and I hope I will find another series with an interesting plot along with excellent graphics!
Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez did such an excellent collaboration!!
Alpha & Omega was just as dark and creepy as all of the other additions in the series. I really enjoyed the plot of Keyhouse, what all the keys did and how Dodge needed to be stopped.
And just because, I had to add this image on this review.
It’s not much better then this!! Hahaha!
Thank you Joe Hill for your imagination and getting inside YOUR head to read such a fun and creepy series!
And the Locke and Key series is finished! I really liked the ending along with everything that happens with Dodge.
It seemed that every character, even the side characters had a part to play in the series. I really enjoyed cheering for everyone that was fighting the demons and darkness at the Keyhouse and down in the caves.
This was a great graphic novel series to start with and I hope I will find another series with an interesting plot along with excellent graphics!
Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez did such an excellent collaboration!!
Alpha & Omega was just as dark and creepy as all of the other additions in the series. I really enjoyed the plot of Keyhouse, what all the keys did and how Dodge needed to be stopped.
And just because, I had to add this image on this review.
It’s not much better then this!! Hahaha!
Thank you Joe Hill for your imagination and getting inside YOUR head to read such a fun and creepy series!
September 17, 2015
I can't believe this is the end of this series :( I want to buy them all.
This story was my favorite one. The graphics are amazing as usual but I just loved how everything came together. I was so scared for Bode through the whole book. I think Rufus was a great kid and it made me so mad that people would call him retarded!
How can you review graphic novels without giving out spoilers!!!!!
Let me just say there are a lot of evil creatures in the book and things seem really dire. There are some deaths :( but the end was a very happy one!
Awesome series!
February 1, 2015
OK. This is the end. And it's a good one. It's been quite a ride, and I'm not really sure how to review this and really do it justice.
There are a lot of things that were included throughout this series that I failed to comment on in my reviews of the previous books, things like classism, sexism, racism, homophobia, etc, and I think, in my humble little opinion, that these things were handled beautifully.
There are themes of family, and friendship, and love being a source of strength, and also the cause of some of our weaknesses. Of being willing to sacrifice oneself for a greater good... of redemption.
There are themes of learning from the past and doing better next time. Of forgiving others. Of not discounting someone's abilities just because of their disabilities.
But one thing did bother me at the end, and it's what knocked this down from a 5 star to a 4 star review.
Warning, spoilers ahead! Continue reading at your own risk!
The issue that I had is with Bode. When Rufus locks Dodge in the Wellhouse, freeing Bode's body from the demon and Bode "dies" - it's a simple matter for his own spirit to just jump back in his now vacant body. But that doesn't happen. Where was his spirit? Just hangin' out on the astral plane, giving zero fucks about the fate of his family and the majority of the town's teenage population? Or the fate of the world, for that matter, if more demons get free?
Rather, I think that he was just not mentioned so that Bode could die and the emotional ante would be upped because he's just a child. But, of course, we can't let him REALLY die, because SAD! So he borrows a bird body (conveniently donated by a selfless, flockless bird, a lone survivor of the bird/wolf battle of volume 4), and somehow convinces Tyler to use the animal key to turn him back into a boy. OK, fine... but how exactly did the bird's spirit vacate its body? Looks like it went through the Ghost door - but then that would mean that Tyler would have had to use the Ghost key to open the door, and how would he know to do that? I get that he'd understand if a bird kept pestering him - he remembers Bode telling him that he'd been a bird... but there was nobody to communicate with him regarding the Ghost key to de-spirit the bird in the first place.
These pages of the book are pretty vague - we're distracted by a quip by an adult "Are you following any of his explanation?" "Nope, he lost me after 'Hi, mom!'" and it feels like we're just supposed to accept it at face value, happy as everyone is that he's back - why should we look a gift horse in the mouth?
Because I kinda expect better from Stephen King's son, that's why. If you're going to play the emotional death-of-a-child card, you better be willing to go all in. Or if you're not going to be committed to it, then don't do it in the first place. We'd have our happy reunion in the end anyway, when Bode's spirit reinhabits his body, and mom can be all "Thank God!" and huggy and whatnot. And we already have a ton of other emotional funeral things to see, because a ton of kids died, including a few secondary-but-important characters.
It just seems rather pointless to go the route they did with this one.
Still, that's my only real complaint with the series. Otherwise, it's great in pretty much every way.
There are a lot of things that were included throughout this series that I failed to comment on in my reviews of the previous books, things like classism, sexism, racism, homophobia, etc, and I think, in my humble little opinion, that these things were handled beautifully.
There are themes of family, and friendship, and love being a source of strength, and also the cause of some of our weaknesses. Of being willing to sacrifice oneself for a greater good... of redemption.
There are themes of learning from the past and doing better next time. Of forgiving others. Of not discounting someone's abilities just because of their disabilities.
But one thing did bother me at the end, and it's what knocked this down from a 5 star to a 4 star review.
Warning, spoilers ahead! Continue reading at your own risk!
The issue that I had is with Bode. When Rufus locks Dodge in the Wellhouse, freeing Bode's body from the demon and Bode "dies" - it's a simple matter for his own spirit to just jump back in his now vacant body. But that doesn't happen. Where was his spirit? Just hangin' out on the astral plane, giving zero fucks about the fate of his family and the majority of the town's teenage population? Or the fate of the world, for that matter, if more demons get free?
Rather, I think that he was just not mentioned so that Bode could die and the emotional ante would be upped because he's just a child. But, of course, we can't let him REALLY die, because SAD! So he borrows a bird body (conveniently donated by a selfless, flockless bird, a lone survivor of the bird/wolf battle of volume 4), and somehow convinces Tyler to use the animal key to turn him back into a boy. OK, fine... but how exactly did the bird's spirit vacate its body? Looks like it went through the Ghost door - but then that would mean that Tyler would have had to use the Ghost key to open the door, and how would he know to do that? I get that he'd understand if a bird kept pestering him - he remembers Bode telling him that he'd been a bird... but there was nobody to communicate with him regarding the Ghost key to de-spirit the bird in the first place.
These pages of the book are pretty vague - we're distracted by a quip by an adult "Are you following any of his explanation?" "Nope, he lost me after 'Hi, mom!'" and it feels like we're just supposed to accept it at face value, happy as everyone is that he's back - why should we look a gift horse in the mouth?
Because I kinda expect better from Stephen King's son, that's why. If you're going to play the emotional death-of-a-child card, you better be willing to go all in. Or if you're not going to be committed to it, then don't do it in the first place. We'd have our happy reunion in the end anyway, when Bode's spirit reinhabits his body, and mom can be all "Thank God!" and huggy and whatnot. And we already have a ton of other emotional funeral things to see, because a ton of kids died, including a few secondary-but-important characters.
It just seems rather pointless to go the route they did with this one.
Still, that's my only real complaint with the series. Otherwise, it's great in pretty much every way.
April 23, 2020
Wow, the last two volumes were amazingly good. I’ve to say that i enjoyed the graphic novels more than the TV show. It’s way darker and more emotional. Loved it!
April 27, 2020
Well what to do when you are busy keeping the world safe from fraudsters and criminals (nah just making sure the company I work for are legal and safe). Yes you guessed it think about what I am going to write about the final instalment of the Locke and Key saga (nothing quite like starting the working week by reading late in to the night before - when will I learn).
But I must admit even now the climatic build up and inevitable show down is spectacular. I do love when a series has a definitive end to it however I do know that there are other tales to tell (and have been told) so who knows where it will all end.
One thing I will add to this book and in fact all the titles to this point are the little bits of fan service and homage to the genre. From references to other stories (I do like the Carrie nod) to even (if I saw it correctly) a cameo or two. This is one of those series that even once you have read it you want to go back and read it again even though you pretty much know what is going to happen where and how. Now if that is not the sign of great story I do not know what is!
And so the journey is over - although I suspect the stories most certainly are not.
This is the last book in the Locke and Key series so what can you say without giving the game away. What can I say is that the quality is just as good as any of the other volumes which for me meant that it was just enjoyably (all be it bittersweet) on the last page as it was on the first.
So rather than trying to talk about the this last volume I will comment about the keys.
One of the things that surprised me was how quickly such a fantastical story becomes accepted, I look through these last few pages and think how clever the writing is how impressive and consistent the artwork is and I totally forget about the incredible imagination that gave us this story in the first place.
Take this simple challenge - if you were to have someone come up to you and try and explain the first book to you - how do you think you would respond. Now after a run of 6 volumes (this last one is unlike many series considerably longer than the rest) it seems totally natural with no further surprises of shocks. Think again - try and explain the last volume to someone else and see how they respond this time. Exactly the story is just as out there as it was to start with.
And for me that is the power of the story teller to take something amazing and utterly fantastic and make it so real as to make it feel like second nature - to suspend that disbelief and imagine.
As I said earlier this book draws the series to a close but as proven in the one short I read (set many years before these books) there is still a great many more tales to tell and I cannot wait to see them in print.
But I must admit even now the climatic build up and inevitable show down is spectacular. I do love when a series has a definitive end to it however I do know that there are other tales to tell (and have been told) so who knows where it will all end.
One thing I will add to this book and in fact all the titles to this point are the little bits of fan service and homage to the genre. From references to other stories (I do like the Carrie nod) to even (if I saw it correctly) a cameo or two. This is one of those series that even once you have read it you want to go back and read it again even though you pretty much know what is going to happen where and how. Now if that is not the sign of great story I do not know what is!
And so the journey is over - although I suspect the stories most certainly are not.
This is the last book in the Locke and Key series so what can you say without giving the game away. What can I say is that the quality is just as good as any of the other volumes which for me meant that it was just enjoyably (all be it bittersweet) on the last page as it was on the first.
So rather than trying to talk about the this last volume I will comment about the keys.
One of the things that surprised me was how quickly such a fantastical story becomes accepted, I look through these last few pages and think how clever the writing is how impressive and consistent the artwork is and I totally forget about the incredible imagination that gave us this story in the first place.
Take this simple challenge - if you were to have someone come up to you and try and explain the first book to you - how do you think you would respond. Now after a run of 6 volumes (this last one is unlike many series considerably longer than the rest) it seems totally natural with no further surprises of shocks. Think again - try and explain the last volume to someone else and see how they respond this time. Exactly the story is just as out there as it was to start with.
And for me that is the power of the story teller to take something amazing and utterly fantastic and make it so real as to make it feel like second nature - to suspend that disbelief and imagine.
As I said earlier this book draws the series to a close but as proven in the one short I read (set many years before these books) there is still a great many more tales to tell and I cannot wait to see them in print.
December 12, 2022
One of the best comic book series that I've read so far and I'm so happy to say that I've finally finished it. It was amazing! I need to check out some more thriller/horror based comics and graphic novels. I will be doing a full written and video review of this series! : )
February 10, 2018
A good ending to a good series. I’m glad we got closure with everything. I do wish there was more to the fight between good and evil but yeah, it was a satisfying ending.
May 6, 2020
Ohh.. that was so freaking amazing!
I’m so overwhelmed with a lot emotions..
I can’t believe this is the end.. so heartbreaking..
I’m so overwhelmed with a lot emotions..
I can’t believe this is the end.. so heartbreaking..
December 9, 2013
It’s over.
With volume six, Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez have closed the book on their nearly six year long journey through Lovecraft, Massachusetts with the Locke family. At the conclusion of volume five, things were about as dark as you could imagine. Dodge had gained possession of the Omega key and was ready to unleash his dark forces upon Lovecraft. Will he ultimately succeed or will the Locke family prove too much to overcome?
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
When a series, be it comics, books, television or otherwise, announces that it’s closing up shop, there’s always a worry that they’ll leave things on a sour note. Rather than let the story seemingly run on forever, Hill and Rodriguez made the difficult decision to end things while they were still on top. Honestly, they could’ve continued the series for a number of years, running the story until the creative juices stopped flowing. However, the creators had an endgame and no level of critical praise was going to keep them from finishing it the way they wanted.
It’s hard to really say anything about the series at this point that I haven’t already said. I know, I know, as a reviewer, that line is such a cop out but it’s true. Rodriguez’s art continues to blow me away and Hill’s writing is pure perfection. In simple terms, they knocked it out of the park; which is impressive considering both Hill and Rodriguez knew that expectations were at a fever pitch. In fact, I’ll be shocked if I find anyone who’s disappointed in the direction the co-creators went to end the series. To steal a cliche, it’s an emotional roller coaster that readers will not soon forget.
Along with DC’s Gotham Central, I feel that Locke & Key is one of the strongest series I've ever read. At no point in the entirety of this story did I feel like the creators were just mailing it in. With a collaboration as successful as this, Hill and Rodriguez owe it to themselves to work together in the future. I’d put their partnership up against any duo out there today in terms of pure creative chemistry. If you haven’t started the series, now is the time to do so.
With volume six, Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez have closed the book on their nearly six year long journey through Lovecraft, Massachusetts with the Locke family. At the conclusion of volume five, things were about as dark as you could imagine. Dodge had gained possession of the Omega key and was ready to unleash his dark forces upon Lovecraft. Will he ultimately succeed or will the Locke family prove too much to overcome?
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
When a series, be it comics, books, television or otherwise, announces that it’s closing up shop, there’s always a worry that they’ll leave things on a sour note. Rather than let the story seemingly run on forever, Hill and Rodriguez made the difficult decision to end things while they were still on top. Honestly, they could’ve continued the series for a number of years, running the story until the creative juices stopped flowing. However, the creators had an endgame and no level of critical praise was going to keep them from finishing it the way they wanted.
It’s hard to really say anything about the series at this point that I haven’t already said. I know, I know, as a reviewer, that line is such a cop out but it’s true. Rodriguez’s art continues to blow me away and Hill’s writing is pure perfection. In simple terms, they knocked it out of the park; which is impressive considering both Hill and Rodriguez knew that expectations were at a fever pitch. In fact, I’ll be shocked if I find anyone who’s disappointed in the direction the co-creators went to end the series. To steal a cliche, it’s an emotional roller coaster that readers will not soon forget.
Along with DC’s Gotham Central, I feel that Locke & Key is one of the strongest series I've ever read. At no point in the entirety of this story did I feel like the creators were just mailing it in. With a collaboration as successful as this, Hill and Rodriguez owe it to themselves to work together in the future. I’d put their partnership up against any duo out there today in terms of pure creative chemistry. If you haven’t started the series, now is the time to do so.
November 19, 2017
Ovo se mora još jednom pročitati...npr. jedan vikend maraton, i sve ispočetka :)
February 2, 2016
L'edizione italiana dell'ultimo volume é uscita fuori tempo massimo quando ormai mi ero rassegnato e letto i singoli volumi in inglese. Un grazie alla Magic Press per aver portato in Italia questo capolavoro, ma mi guarderó bene dal comprare altre serie tradotte da loro.
Bellissimo fumetto del figlio del "Re" dell'horror, emoziona e lascia il segno.
Un'opera d'arte meravigliosa da leggere e rileggere.
Bellissimo fumetto del figlio del "Re" dell'horror, emoziona e lascia il segno.
Un'opera d'arte meravigliosa da leggere e rileggere.
September 28, 2017
It feels really weird for a graphic novel - a horror one, at that - to make me laugh, grin, rage, and even ugly cry a little... but I guess that's Joe Hill for you. This was such an incredibly delightful series and I'm so happy that I picked it up. If Joe ever decides to write more graphic novels, sign me up. This was the perfect ending to the series - everything I wanted and more. This volume broke my heart, stitched me back together, and patted me on the shoulder before driving away, leaving me awestruck in its dust.
(What I'm trying to say is, I adored every damn volume of this series, and if Joe and Gabriel ever decide to continue the series, or write a prequel, or a spinoff... I'm so there for it.)
I can't tell you what happens in this volume, because it would spoil the whole series, but what I can tell you is that you won't be disappointed.
Series content warning: violence, sexual assault, homophobia, racism, sexism, ableism. All negative views are challenged by the text, but are very present.
(What I'm trying to say is, I adored every damn volume of this series, and if Joe and Gabriel ever decide to continue the series, or write a prequel, or a spinoff... I'm so there for it.)
I can't tell you what happens in this volume, because it would spoil the whole series, but what I can tell you is that you won't be disappointed.
Series content warning: violence, sexual assault, homophobia, racism, sexism, ableism. All negative views are challenged by the text, but are very present.
March 7, 2024
How! Here were are. Now that I’ve finished this incredible series I’m too stunned to write anything. But I’ll try to explain why I loved it so much and I account it like one of the best graphic novel I've seen.
In this last chapter we have the final fight between Locke family and Dodge, that will affect on all the abitants of Lovecraft. As every good horror, there are a lot of violence and bloody scenes and a lot of tragic moments, made more vivid by the graphics of Gabriel Rodríguez. If I had doubt, this man proves once again the importance of an excellent graphics.
Reached the last volume, a reader can’t help but feel a connection with these caracthers, mainly the Locke boys. Every page you read, bring the anxiety for their fate, like real people, the joy for some good episodes and the sadness for unavoidable disasters.
Also, in this series are represented the main characteristics of the human being: courage, sacrifice, friendship, cruelty. Everything people can do for better or worse.
If I have to find a good reason for read this, is the ability of these two authors to give depth to the characters, making them so real to thrill the reader.
5 stars for this book, but even for the whole series.
Update
I finished the series for the second time and I’m even more enthusiast about it. I didn't remember the ending, there are some painful losses and touching moments, but it's in some way a perfect ending!
5 stars ever!!!!
In this last chapter we have the final fight between Locke family and Dodge, that will affect on all the abitants of Lovecraft. As every good horror, there are a lot of violence and bloody scenes and a lot of tragic moments, made more vivid by the graphics of Gabriel Rodríguez. If I had doubt, this man proves once again the importance of an excellent graphics.
Reached the last volume, a reader can’t help but feel a connection with these caracthers, mainly the Locke boys. Every page you read, bring the anxiety for their fate, like real people, the joy for some good episodes and the sadness for unavoidable disasters.
Also, in this series are represented the main characteristics of the human being: courage, sacrifice, friendship, cruelty. Everything people can do for better or worse.
If I have to find a good reason for read this, is the ability of these two authors to give depth to the characters, making them so real to thrill the reader.
5 stars for this book, but even for the whole series.
Update
I finished the series for the second time and I’m even more enthusiast about it. I didn't remember the ending, there are some painful losses and touching moments, but it's in some way a perfect ending!
5 stars ever!!!!
January 30, 2015
Fantastic!!!!
This graphic novel series was such a delight and I had a most awesome time reading it. Sad to see it ending. The characters were rememberable and so was the artwork. This whole series ended how I thought it would which is always good and not always what happens. I hope, maybe one day, Hill will do another one. Fingers crossed!!
This graphic novel series was such a delight and I had a most awesome time reading it. Sad to see it ending. The characters were rememberable and so was the artwork. This whole series ended how I thought it would which is always good and not always what happens. I hope, maybe one day, Hill will do another one. Fingers crossed!!
November 3, 2017
2.5/5 stars
This was my personal least favorite.
Felt like Hill and Rodriguez fell short on the plot development and focused instead just on the shock factor.
Previous installments were good, gruesome, and they had purpose. This was just a mass man slaughter.
Going out with a bang? Making the last book in series as gory as possible? I guess so. But it didn't really work for me.
It also didn't bring anything new to the story at all. All of the locations were re-used, and all of the secrets were long out.
And it was definitely too long (page wise).
I wanted a story. I wanted more of throwbacks.
Instead they played with some very questionable ideas and inserted a lot of dialog, which I'm sorry, but at some points was just mad gibberish.
Ehhh.
My
My
My
This was my personal least favorite.
Felt like Hill and Rodriguez fell short on the plot development and focused instead just on the shock factor.
Previous installments were good, gruesome, and they had purpose. This was just a mass man slaughter.
Going out with a bang? Making the last book in series as gory as possible? I guess so. But it didn't really work for me.
It also didn't bring anything new to the story at all. All of the locations were re-used, and all of the secrets were long out.
And it was definitely too long (page wise).
I wanted a story. I wanted more of throwbacks.
Instead they played with some very questionable ideas and inserted a lot of dialog, which I'm sorry, but at some points was just mad gibberish.
Ehhh.
My
My
My
May 14, 2022
Bueno pues termino!! un buen final, bastante amable! para como podia haber concluido. Personalmente creo que quedaba más real con la muerte de Bode, pero al final lo endulzaron un poco a pesar de que hubo muchos muertos.
9/10
9/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2020
Um, 10 stars? Yes. 10 stars!
January 8, 2023
Well, that was a satisfying conclusion for the most part. Bode/Dodge launches his final gambit on prom night and it's up to Ty and Kinsey and their friends to stop it. People die and since we're not up to our armpits in demons and magic keys, it's safe to say the good guys one. There were a couple moments that made me tear up a bit in the epilogue.
Any gripes? Well, I guess I wouldn't mind seeing some of the Locke family's key fueled adventures but that's not really the tale Hill and Rodriguez were telling.
The Locke and Key slipcase edition was the best thing I ever spent $15 on and no one else bid on. Five out of five for the last two volumes, a solid four for the series as a whole.
Any gripes? Well, I guess I wouldn't mind seeing some of the Locke family's key fueled adventures but that's not really the tale Hill and Rodriguez were telling.
The Locke and Key slipcase edition was the best thing I ever spent $15 on and no one else bid on. Five out of five for the last two volumes, a solid four for the series as a whole.
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