http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=143352
Writer/Artist: Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez
Publisher: IDW, $24.99
Why You Should Know It:
Locke & Key is a fantasy/horror story that follows the Locke family after a violent event that has changed everything. Now living in their old family home, the Keyhouse Mansion, the family has to pick up the pieces while at the same time discover the secrets of their new home. Joe Hill is the son of Stephen King and has been getting a lot of attention the past few years for his books. I believe he won the Bram Stoker Award among a few others. Once the first issue of this series came out we sold out immediately and it went to a 2nd printing. I imagine there are still a few Hill fans out there that just don't know about it, so I like to keep copies of the HC on hand. It's also just a solid story as well, enough bloody violence to keep horror people interested but a lot of great characterization and family dynamics in the characters to really pull a reader in.
via NYMag
This is kind of an easy push on fans of the Dark Tower & Stand comic series, and I also feel it could be an easy push on Clive Barker fans as well. Hill seems to balance himself very well between fantasy and horror as this series highlights very well. The other connection point is that Rodriguez also illustrated the Clive Barker adaptation The Great & Secret Show for IDW. Currently there is a second series of L & K being published, so it's good to have copies on hand of the first one for those people looking to catch up easily. The HC package is also really attractive and well put together.
Personal Review:
I've never read any of Hill's novels but I have had plenty of people recommend them to me. If this is any indication, I will probably enjoy the hell out of them. Hill has a good handle on comic book scripting, which always seems like a challenge for novelist making the transition. I like his pacing and his characterization is sharp. I became a fan of Rodriguez when I saw his work on The Great & Secret Show. In L&K I believe he's become even smoother in his layouts and storytelling because everything seems to flow fantastically. Rodriguez has a very clean style but he also has a certain dirtiness to him as well. The work is intricate yet simple at the same time, and he can definitely do ugly horror.
If you like this, then try:
The Great & Secret Show, The Stand, The Dark Tower
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