Locke & Key

Locke & Key

Author: Jeff Lemire

Artist: Matteo Scalera

Publisher: Dark Horse

Saves: 1

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Summary

“Locke & Key” blends gothic horror with family drama and dark fantasy, centering on the Locke siblings—Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode—after the brutal murder of their father. Their grieving mother relocates them to Keyhouse, a sprawling ancestral mansion in Massachusetts that hides a secret: magical keys scattered throughout the house, each unlocking strange and dangerous powers. Some keys alter the mind, others transform the body, and each discovery tempts the siblings deeper into the mansion’s mysteries. But they are not alone—an ancient and malevolent entity, trapped for centuries, seeks the keys to unleash chaos, and it manipulates events to escape. The story unfolds as both a supernatural mystery and a coming-of-age tale. While the siblings grapple with grief and fractured relationships, they also must navigate the lure of the keys’ power and the growing danger posed by their supernatural adversary. The narrative explores how trauma shapes identity, how children confront loss differently from adults, and how secrets ripple through generations. The art style balances gothic beauty with visceral horror, giving the mansion itself a haunted personality. More than just a supernatural thriller, “Locke & Key” is about family resilience in the face of overwhelming darkness. It explores themes of forgiveness, responsibility, and how curiosity and fear often coexist in adolescence. The keys serve as metaphors for possibility and temptation—each one offering wonder but also threatening corruption. It’s an inventive blend of classic haunted house storytelling with fresh mythmaking, turning childhood imagination into both a sanctuary and a battlefield.

Rating

4.6 / 5

Release Year

2016

Main Characters

Tyler Locke

The eldest sibling, Tyler carries the weight of responsibility after his father’s death. Protective but guilt-ridden, he struggles to balance being a brother, a surrogate parent, and a teenager figuring out his own identity. Tyler embodies resilience under pressure, showing strength in leadership while quietly battling grief and self-doubt.


Bode Locke

The youngest sibling, Bode approaches Keyhouse with wide-eyed curiosity and innocence. His adventurous spirit leads to many of the keys’ discoveries, but also puts him in danger. Bode represents the imaginative side of childhood, where magic feels natural, yet his vulnerability reminds readers of the real stakes the family faces.

General Info

ISBN: 9781234567005

Genre: Horror, Dark Fantasy, Supernatural Mystery

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