‘Locke and Key: Welcome to Lovecraft’ review
By Brittney MacDonald, Senior Columnist
4/5
Author Joe Hill lends his incredible talent for suspense and horror to Locke and Key, his first foray into graphic novels. Paired with veteran fear monger Gabriel Rodriguez, the classic aesthetic appeal of Locke and Key is only outmatched by its engaging and spine-chilling plot. However, the signature art style of Rodriguez at times distracts from the intricate storytelling in a way that cannot be ignored.
Welcome to Lovecraft brings us into the world of Keyhouse, an old mansion with doors that lead to more than just the next hallway. Through a series of keys constructed from the remains of demons, humans are able to walk through portals into new and exciting dimensions. But not all these places are as they seem, and not all of the people who come back from them truly come back.
Nobody knows this better than the Locke family, who move into town after the tragic loss of their patriarch and come to realize that maybe the loss of their father and the restless spirits of Keyhouse might be related. Murder, possession, and mystery drive this page-turner in ways that will keep you up at night.
Rodriguez, who is known for his work in the CSI series, is familiar with a little gore and that shows in Locke and Key. The colour and line quality of the art cannot be denied, but Rodriguez’s characteristic bulky anatomy and squared facial features appear almost cartoony in certain scenes when juxtaposed against the fluidity of the plot.
All in all, I enjoyed the novel and would certainly recommend it to anyone who loves a good ghost story.
