Description
"With more keys making themselves known, and the depths of the Locke's family's mystery ever-expanding, Dodge's desperation to end his shadowy quest drives the habitants of Keyhouse ever closer to a revealing conclusion."--Amazon.com.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2011-06
Physical description
152 p.; 10.19 inches
Publication
IDW Publishing (2012), Edition: Illustrated, 152 pages
Pages
152
ISBN
1613772076 / 9781613772072
Similar in this library
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Graphic Story — 2012)
Mythopoeic Awards (Finalist — Adult Literature — 2015)
Eisner Award (Nominee — 2011)
Bram Stoker Award (Nominee — Graphic Novel — 2011)
British Fantasy Award (Winner — Graphic Novel — 2012)
User reviews
LibraryThing member paradoxosalpha
This fourth collection of the Locke & Key series is clearly moving into the climax of the entire series arc. (There are two more volumes to go.) The pace is often much faster than in earlier parts of the series; chapter three ("February") in particular barrels through a whole mess of events, often
The motivation of our prime villain Dodge becomes clearer to the reader in these stories, at the same time as his culpability starts to become evident to the Locke family. It appears that the stakes may be far higher than the well-being of the Lockes or Keyhouse. But not all the evil in these comics is supernatural. The commentary on homophobia that had been introduced earlier in the series is supplemented with some candid observations of/on racism. Some readers might find these a little preachy, but I thought they were handled artfully, and they speak to the tenor of the times.
In the first chapter of Keys to the Kingdom Hill and Rodriguez pay very overt tribute to Bill Watterson, with Bode Locke as an obvious stand-in for Calvin. And in "Casualties" (#22 of the original comic) Bode and Rufus Whedon populate another homage to earlier comics in the form of an invented Squadron Strange action adventure. The Locke & Key series has such beautiful art and rich storytelling that I'm sure it will someday be the object of such admirations and acknowledgements from a younger generation of comics creators.
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realizing an entire complicated day's adventure in a single panel. Over the course of this collection, six new magic keys are introduced, a pace that more than doubles the rate of the earlier numbers. The graphic violence is probably more extreme than in any of the prior volumes as well. The motivation of our prime villain Dodge becomes clearer to the reader in these stories, at the same time as his culpability starts to become evident to the Locke family. It appears that the stakes may be far higher than the well-being of the Lockes or Keyhouse. But not all the evil in these comics is supernatural. The commentary on homophobia that had been introduced earlier in the series is supplemented with some candid observations of/on racism. Some readers might find these a little preachy, but I thought they were handled artfully, and they speak to the tenor of the times.
In the first chapter of Keys to the Kingdom Hill and Rodriguez pay very overt tribute to Bill Watterson, with Bode Locke as an obvious stand-in for Calvin. And in "Casualties" (#22 of the original comic) Bode and Rufus Whedon populate another homage to earlier comics in the form of an invented Squadron Strange action adventure. The Locke & Key series has such beautiful art and rich storytelling that I'm sure it will someday be the object of such admirations and acknowledgements from a younger generation of comics creators.
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LibraryThing member clfisha
Oh dear it was all going so well, but whilst this may have worked in the original comic format in collected volumes the different stories feel chaotic and the pacing seems way off. Also while it's fun to experiment it doesn't always work which is shame coming from a great third volume. There number
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of magical keys is exploding and its feeling a bit silly plus on top of that I have my doubts about the end plot twist.. only number 5 is going to let me know whether this is a series worth continuing. Such a shame. Show Less
LibraryThing member bragan
As with the previous volumes in this series, this one features vivid characters; a nice blend of humor, horror, and drama; an interesting continuing storyline; and some truly impressive artwork. It also features some fairly clever storytelling choices and a thread of suspense that builds slowly to
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one heck of a cliffhanger. In other words, it continues to be excellent stuff. I do still wish I'd waited until the whole thing was out to read it, rather than constantly losing momentum and my memories of the story thus far with every wait between releases, but I did find this one easier to pick up with than the last one, despite the publication delays. Show Less
LibraryThing member akmargie
Oh...twist ending. So shocking, so deliciously creepy. Kinda like the entire series.
LibraryThing member lauren.castan
This series is really wonderful. No surprise there was such an fuss when the TV series didn't go into full production. Although it was very frustrating waiting for these volumes to go through cataloguing in the library and get onto the shelves, it was worth the wait.
LibraryThing member krau0098
This is the fourth book in the Locke and Key series. It was an excellent book; many more keys are found and things come to a head. Things proceeded a bit too rapidly for my liking, but it was still a very good addition to the series.
In this issue many more keys are found in quick succession. The
I totally agree with other reviews I have read that say the new keys are introduced too quickly. There were so many points where the authors/illustrators had wonderful opportunites to depict shadow battles and beastly transformations, etc. These are breezed through with each one only being given a single scene in the February chapter. The new keys are introduced rapidly and I found myself having to use the index that describes each key at the back of the book to keep track of what was happening. I really do wish they had drawn this out more over a couple of books.
Other than above I really enjoyed this book. The book itself was a beautiful hardcover edition, it is missing the pretty bookmark ribbon that other earlier volumes had...but it still very beautiful and high quality. There are a couple different styles of artwork in this edition; the first chapter featuring Bode has a more cartoony artwork style to it. This new style is well-blended in with the old style. The old style of art is most prevalent and continues to be beautifully done and matches the story very well.
The new keys introduced are all very interesting and I am very attached to all of these emotionally scarred characters. I couldn't believe how things unfolded in the final chapter; I was absolutely rapt and could not put the book down. Now I am dying to know what happens next!
All of our favorite characters from previous volumes appear in this book and the mystery surrounding the Locke family deepens and comes to a climax of sorts. The wait for the next book may just kill me; I have been contemplating buying the comics issue by issue to find out what happens next...
Overall an excellent addition to the Locke and Key series. The introduction of the new keys went too rapidly for me and I wish the story had been drawn out a bit more. Still the new keys are interesting, the mystery is deepening, and the conclusion will leave you riveted and dying to read more. Definitely a book for older teens or adults only; very gorey, bad language, and a number of disturbing scenarios. I can't wait to read the 5th book in this series, Clockworks, due out late spring/early summer of 2012.
In this issue many more keys are found in quick succession. The
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first chapter focuses on Bode and his finding the Beast Key and becoming a sparrow. The next chapter quickly propels you through a calendar month of craziness at the Locke household. Just when things seem to be going right for the Locke kids they run into a lot of trouble. Dodge gets desperate and things really come to an awful/desperate/surprising conclusion in the final chapter.I totally agree with other reviews I have read that say the new keys are introduced too quickly. There were so many points where the authors/illustrators had wonderful opportunites to depict shadow battles and beastly transformations, etc. These are breezed through with each one only being given a single scene in the February chapter. The new keys are introduced rapidly and I found myself having to use the index that describes each key at the back of the book to keep track of what was happening. I really do wish they had drawn this out more over a couple of books.
Other than above I really enjoyed this book. The book itself was a beautiful hardcover edition, it is missing the pretty bookmark ribbon that other earlier volumes had...but it still very beautiful and high quality. There are a couple different styles of artwork in this edition; the first chapter featuring Bode has a more cartoony artwork style to it. This new style is well-blended in with the old style. The old style of art is most prevalent and continues to be beautifully done and matches the story very well.
The new keys introduced are all very interesting and I am very attached to all of these emotionally scarred characters. I couldn't believe how things unfolded in the final chapter; I was absolutely rapt and could not put the book down. Now I am dying to know what happens next!
All of our favorite characters from previous volumes appear in this book and the mystery surrounding the Locke family deepens and comes to a climax of sorts. The wait for the next book may just kill me; I have been contemplating buying the comics issue by issue to find out what happens next...
Overall an excellent addition to the Locke and Key series. The introduction of the new keys went too rapidly for me and I wish the story had been drawn out a bit more. Still the new keys are interesting, the mystery is deepening, and the conclusion will leave you riveted and dying to read more. Definitely a book for older teens or adults only; very gorey, bad language, and a number of disturbing scenarios. I can't wait to read the 5th book in this series, Clockworks, due out late spring/early summer of 2012.
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LibraryThing member andreablythe
Without getting into the plot -- you really should read this series starting from book one -- I'll just say that the story and art continue to be awesome with an ending to this volume that has me begging to read the next one.
LibraryThing member 391
I liked the play of styles and themes in this book, and how effortlessly it blends fantasy and reality, even within the confines of the story. I find myself constantly impressed with the creativity and elegance of this particular comic, and vol 4 steps its usual high standard up even further.
LibraryThing member callmecayce
I don't know really what to say about this except that I absolutely love Locke & Key. I love everything about it, from the drawings to the story to the characters themselves. I will be sad when it's over.
LibraryThing member JechtShot
Keys to the Kingdom ups the ante once again in this highly addictive graphic novel series. Unlike the preceding three stories this one turns the violence meter up to 11 and the ending will have you salivating for the next book in the series to be released.
Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez have created
Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez have created
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something special with this series. Between the brilliant storytelling and amazing artwork, this is a series not to be missed. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
The poor Locke kids. They are almost saved and then something else goes terribly wrong. Still a great series.
LibraryThing member tapestry100
Well, this series has gotten nothing but better as it has gone along. I've been thoroughly impressed with Hill's writing and Rodriguez's art right along. They haven't lost anything in the storytelling and haven't weakened in their storytelling either. One of the things that I was worried about is
In Volume 2, Head Games, the kids are still recovering from the events at the end of Welcome to Lovecraft, events that may brought back a lot of memories that they were trying to forget. Kinsey and Tyler find some companionship in their new friend Zack, not realizing Zack's dark secret or intentions. Bode finds a new key, and as they start to uncover the secrets of this new game, Zack starts to become a little too recognizable for his liking.
Volume 3, Crown of Shadows, finds more secrets and more revelations in the background about Dodge and more keys. This volume deals a little bit more with the emotional impact prior events have had on each of the members of the Locke family. I really found these issues handled well in this volume, especially watching Kinsey after her change in the previous volume.
Volume 4, Keys to the Kingdom, was a series of shorter stories that all tied into the Key house and what is happening with the various characters. While not necessarily on complete story throughout the entire volume, each of these stories still successfully moves the story along.
I was concerned about going into Volume 5, Clockworks, as I'd heard that this was mostly a background story, and I wasn't exactly sure how a volume dedicated almost entirely to background was going to help move the story along, but holy crap was I wrong! I think this might be the best volume so far. We learn about the history of the Locke family, the Keys, Key house, the purpose of the villain behind everything (SPOILERS! - which ties directly in the title of the first volume). It just all came together amazingly well.
Needless to say, you won't find much about the actual story in this review, because it's almost impossible to talk about the story without giving anything away, as Hill seems to find a way to tie in almost every plot thread one way or another into all of the story. What I can say, is that this is completely worth reading and might be one of the better graphic novels you'll find. If you're not a fan of horror or of violence, this might not be the best series for you, but if you can stomach it, this is a fantastic series. I'll definitely be picking up the final volume when it's released.
Happy (creepy) reading!
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that at some point they would lose their momentum, but five volumes in and that hasn't happened yet.In Volume 2, Head Games, the kids are still recovering from the events at the end of Welcome to Lovecraft, events that may brought back a lot of memories that they were trying to forget. Kinsey and Tyler find some companionship in their new friend Zack, not realizing Zack's dark secret or intentions. Bode finds a new key, and as they start to uncover the secrets of this new game, Zack starts to become a little too recognizable for his liking.
Volume 3, Crown of Shadows, finds more secrets and more revelations in the background about Dodge and more keys. This volume deals a little bit more with the emotional impact prior events have had on each of the members of the Locke family. I really found these issues handled well in this volume, especially watching Kinsey after her change in the previous volume.
Volume 4, Keys to the Kingdom, was a series of shorter stories that all tied into the Key house and what is happening with the various characters. While not necessarily on complete story throughout the entire volume, each of these stories still successfully moves the story along.
I was concerned about going into Volume 5, Clockworks, as I'd heard that this was mostly a background story, and I wasn't exactly sure how a volume dedicated almost entirely to background was going to help move the story along, but holy crap was I wrong! I think this might be the best volume so far. We learn about the history of the Locke family, the Keys, Key house, the purpose of the villain behind everything (SPOILERS! - which ties directly in the title of the first volume). It just all came together amazingly well.
Needless to say, you won't find much about the actual story in this review, because it's almost impossible to talk about the story without giving anything away, as Hill seems to find a way to tie in almost every plot thread one way or another into all of the story. What I can say, is that this is completely worth reading and might be one of the better graphic novels you'll find. If you're not a fan of horror or of violence, this might not be the best series for you, but if you can stomach it, this is a fantastic series. I'll definitely be picking up the final volume when it's released.
Happy (creepy) reading!
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LibraryThing member branimal
What more can I say that I haven't already said about this series? I've been singing its praises for the past 3 volumes and with this 4th installment, it shows no signs of slowing down.
Rodriguez really shows off in this collection. He clearly isn't satisfied in sticking with the artwork that has
While more than a few things happen in this volume, the story never seems cluttered and nothing feels unnecessary. The introduction of 3 more keys lead to several twists and turns as well as some pretty awesome scenes. Probably the biggest twist in the story happens near the end of this book causing me to salivate for the next release.
I'm hoping that when this comes to an end (a sad day, indeed), they decide to group this into one massive trade. As of yet, there are no weak points or bad developments. In my experience, it's rare that a 4th volume is just as strong as the first. It takes a great duo (writer & artist) to pull this off. Rodriguez and Hill falling second only to Brubaker and Phillips in my mind.
Rodriguez really shows off in this collection. He clearly isn't satisfied in sticking with the artwork that has
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made this such a great story. He takes a bit of a risk within the first chapter and transistions to a style similar to Calvin & Hobbes, which despite the darker subject matter, still works.While more than a few things happen in this volume, the story never seems cluttered and nothing feels unnecessary. The introduction of 3 more keys lead to several twists and turns as well as some pretty awesome scenes. Probably the biggest twist in the story happens near the end of this book causing me to salivate for the next release.
I'm hoping that when this comes to an end (a sad day, indeed), they decide to group this into one massive trade. As of yet, there are no weak points or bad developments. In my experience, it's rare that a 4th volume is just as strong as the first. It takes a great duo (writer & artist) to pull this off. Rodriguez and Hill falling second only to Brubaker and Phillips in my mind.
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LibraryThing member -Eva-
As Dodge is getting more desperate and puts increasing pressure on the Lockes, the children find more and more inventive ways and unexpected allies to help them in their battle against the evil. Another great installment in this extremely imaginative series. The stakes are as high as they can be
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and one cannot help by try to root the characters on and somehow warn them of the threat that comes up behind them on the page. Other than Bode's part which are drawn more cartoonish, the art is a little too perfect, but the story is rock solid. Show Less
LibraryThing member JalenV
Love the Calvin & Hobbes-style panels in the first chapter! check out the 'SQUADRON STRANGE' splash page on p, 79 -- it's a perfect parody of old Marvel Comics covers, although the parody of the credits would have been inside, not on the cover! [49 cents? They were 12 cents when I started reading
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comics in 1968] Show Less
LibraryThing member JalenV
Love the Calvin & Hobbes-style panels in the first chapter! check out the 'SQUADRON STRANGE' splash page on p, 79 -- it's a perfect parody of old Marvel Comics covers, although the parody of the credits would have been inside, not on the cover! [49 cents? They were 12 cents when I started reading
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comics in 1968] Show Less
LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
This was an exciting volume as more keys are found and tried out and the story is advanced. The two elder Locke kids learn that sharing their Keyhouse discoveries isn’t the best idea and before too long they find themselves alone. Bode has been having his down difficulties making friends as most
Zack is at first still playing the role of good friend to Ty and boyfriend to Kinsey, but Ty is slowing starting to put the pieces together and is suspicious of Zack. Things come to head when Ty sneaks into Zack’s room and searches for clues. By the end of the boy, the Lockes are thinking they have gotten rid of Zack and are safe. Little do they know that bad things are just around the corner.
Lots of violence and blood in this volume. The excellent artwork makes the story flow effortlessly across the pages. The ending was a bit of a cliff-hanger but luckily I have the next book sitting right here.
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of the kids think he is too weird.Zack is at first still playing the role of good friend to Ty and boyfriend to Kinsey, but Ty is slowing starting to put the pieces together and is suspicious of Zack. Things come to head when Ty sneaks into Zack’s room and searches for clues. By the end of the boy, the Lockes are thinking they have gotten rid of Zack and are safe. Little do they know that bad things are just around the corner.
Lots of violence and blood in this volume. The excellent artwork makes the story flow effortlessly across the pages. The ending was a bit of a cliff-hanger but luckily I have the next book sitting right here.
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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
The poor Locke kids. They are almost saved and then something else goes terribly wrong. Still a great series.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
The poor Locke kids. They are almost saved and then something else goes terribly wrong. Still a great series.
LibraryThing member MontzaleeW
Disappointing compared to the first three books.
Locke & Key Vol. 4: To the Kingdom by Joe Hill continues the story but not with the excellent graphics as before. These graphics were about like a Calvin and Hobbes! The story was slightly below the others also.
Locke & Key Vol. 4: To the Kingdom by Joe Hill continues the story but not with the excellent graphics as before. These graphics were about like a Calvin and Hobbes! The story was slightly below the others also.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
The poor Locke kids. They are almost saved and then something else goes terribly wrong. Still a great series.
LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: The Locke kids are never going to recover from the violent death of their father, but they’re slowly starting to adjust to their new life in their father’s childhood home in Lovecraft, and to learn the secrets behind the various magical keys that inhabit their new home.
Keys to the
Review: This series is so, so good. It's crazy good. It's creepy and imaginative and legitimately scary in parts and incredibly creative. It's an interesting and complex world, which is great, and definitely something I look for in fantasy, but what makes it so great are the characters. They're rich and multidimensional and believable and heartbreakingly sympathetic and easy to fall in love with, and as a result, this series strikes the perfect balance between worldbuilding, action, and character development.
Volume 4 picked things up again after Volume 3. First of all, it starts with Bode discovering the Animal Key, and the entire first issue is drawn and written as an homage to Calvin & Hobbes. For C&H fans, it's absolutely brilliant, and the great thing is, it's completely within the scope of Bode's character as previously written. The rest of the volume is also really good, with the action ticking along, and more clues being dropped not only for the readers but also for the characters... plus it's got one hell of an ending. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Fans of darker, more mature comics - like The Unwritten or Sandman - or anyone who likes creepy character-driven fantasy should definitely be reading Locke & Key.
Keys to the
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Kingdom introduces a number of new keys, including the Animal Key, the Music Box Key, and the Skin Key. As the Locke siblings use these keys, and the strange and dangerous happenings at Keyhouse continue, Tyler at least begins to suspect that his "friend" Zach Wells might be more than he appears. But can he convince his siblings in time to stop Dodge from getting what he's after?Review: This series is so, so good. It's crazy good. It's creepy and imaginative and legitimately scary in parts and incredibly creative. It's an interesting and complex world, which is great, and definitely something I look for in fantasy, but what makes it so great are the characters. They're rich and multidimensional and believable and heartbreakingly sympathetic and easy to fall in love with, and as a result, this series strikes the perfect balance between worldbuilding, action, and character development.
Volume 4 picked things up again after Volume 3. First of all, it starts with Bode discovering the Animal Key, and the entire first issue is drawn and written as an homage to Calvin & Hobbes. For C&H fans, it's absolutely brilliant, and the great thing is, it's completely within the scope of Bode's character as previously written. The rest of the volume is also really good, with the action ticking along, and more clues being dropped not only for the readers but also for the characters... plus it's got one hell of an ending. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Fans of darker, more mature comics - like The Unwritten or Sandman - or anyone who likes creepy character-driven fantasy should definitely be reading Locke & Key.
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LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco
LOVE the shout out “to Bill Watterson” in Chapter One - “Sparrow”! (I’m a big C&H fan!). Well done!!!
Looks like things are finally coming to a head in this story! Tyler has figured out who/what Zack is! And "Someone Dies"! I know that there are two more volumes, but it looks like it's
Volume 5, here I come!
Looks like things are finally coming to a head in this story! Tyler has figured out who/what Zack is! And "Someone Dies"! I know that there are two more volumes, but it looks like it's
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getting real! And 6 more keys have been added to the "Known Keys" after the story, now giving details about 14 of the 15 keys. And, for the first time in a while, I don't want any of the new keys!Volume 5, here I come!
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LibraryThing member TrekkieChickReads
It's tough because I love this overall story but this particular volume was...odd. Each section had a different artistic style that really threw me off and made it all confusing. I mean, was it intentional? Did it have specific significance to the story?
LibraryThing member LibraryCin
3.5 stars
The two older Locke kids are having trouble with their relationships, while the youngest, Bode, continues to explore the keys and his mother wants him to make friends. He does make a friend of Rufus, who lives with Kinsey’s boyfriend, Zack.
It was good. I love the artwork in this series.
The two older Locke kids are having trouble with their relationships, while the youngest, Bode, continues to explore the keys and his mother wants him to make friends. He does make a friend of Rufus, who lives with Kinsey’s boyfriend, Zack.
It was good. I love the artwork in this series.
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I have to admit, though, that because I always have such a long gap in between books in the series, it takes me a while when I start reading to remember what had happened previously. Great ending in this one! Show Less