The Book of the Month for February 2010 is none other than Locke & Key: Welcome To Lovecraft (IDW Publishing) written by Joe Hill with art by Gabriel Rodriguez.

I remember reading the first issue of this volume when it debuted, and completely loathing it. Looking back, I might have been overwhelmed by all that was going on; gruesome violence, rape, and spirits. My mind must have been having a difficult time computing it all, not being able to make sense of what was happening in front of my very eyes. Who were these psychos? What’s that key do? Was there a zero issue I missed? So after reading that first issue I decided to say “fuck it” and just move on to the next comic book in the stack. A year passes and a second volume comes out, Head Games, and it’s getting nothing but great reviews. Still, I cast the series aside and swear it off as too extreme for my tastes. Then finally the third volume starts, Crown Of Shadows, and I decide to give the series a second chance. After all, I was bored at work and running out of new comics to read.

At this point in the review I would like to take a moment and apologize to two individuals. Mr. Hill, Mr. Rodriguez, I’m so incredibly sorry I dismissed this series and paid no attention to it. Please forgive my ignorance, for I am not worthy to grovel at your very feet. If you’d like, I’ll even commit Seppuku to lift the shame I’ve brought to my family and friends.

Locke & Key is by far one of the best series I’ve read in the past decade. What Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez manage to do to with horror comics is the equivalent of what Andy Warhol did for art. Each issue in this first volume is jam-packed with action, humor, and horror, leaving you the reader hungry for more. I have to warn you though; as much as you want to devour the series whole and read it all in one sitting, do try to pace yourself and savor every bite. I found myself instantly hooked after re-reading the first issue, and forty-five minutes later and I was done, and craving more immediately.

Enough about how brilliant it is, let me explain what the story is about.

The Lockes were a normal family at one point until the father, Rendell Locke, was murdered by a troubled former student and his psycho friend. Because of this tragic event, the surviving family moves to the family mansion in Lovecraft, Massachusetts. The story focuses on the three kids; Tyler, the oldest, Kinsey, the rebellious middle child, and Bode, the youngest and my personal favorite. The death of their father traumatizes them, and they each deal with the loss in their own way. Bode spends his time exploring the dusty old mansion, and discovers a strange key that when inserted into a specific door, will allow the key-bearer to walk through. Only two things will happen when you walk through; the first being you die. The second being, your spirit allows you to travel wherever you want. Enter back into your body, and you’re alive again. As if having the same psycho who killed your father escape prison not bad enough, it gets worse; there’s an evil being trapped in the well, and all she needs is a certain key to get free so she can collect them all.

That’s one of my favorite things about the series, is all the magical keys. We’re only introduced to a few in this volume, but the fact that there are several more that have not yet been discovered thrills me to no end! Just imagine all the possibilities!

Gabriel Rodriguez’s art in this fits the tone of the story wonderfully, and you get a good sense of what each character is feeling. I especially love the spirits, because they’re not there altogether. You might see a little bit of face and maybe an arm, but the spiritual body is constantly changing. And if you’re a fan of blood and gore, you’ll especially be enjoying some of the spreads throughout this volume.

Overall this is the perfect choice for fans of the horror and fantasy genres. It’s also a nice little reminder what comics can be without having to involve capes and cowls. So before you run out to your local comic store and pick-up this wonderful collection, remember what I said before; try to slow down and savor it, because you’ll definitely be wanting seconds after you’re finished.

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Book Of The Month – June – LOCAL

Book Of The Month - July – Sub-Mariner: The Depths

Book Of The Month – August – Superman: Secret Identity

Book Of The Month – October – Welcome To Hoxford

Book Of The Month – November – The Nightly News

Book Of The Month – December – CLA$$WAR

Book Of The Month – January – The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite