Cover of Locke & Key

Locke & Key

Written by Joe Hill. Art by Gabriel Rodríguez.

Ranked No. 65 of 100 · 2008 · IDW Publishing, USA

Supernatural horror / family

A grieving family discovers that the doors of its old house conceal dangerous powers.

Overview

After their father’s murder, the Locke children and their mother move to Keyhouse. Mysterious keys open impossible doors, but every discovery also brings a threat closer. The series ties its supernatural rules to family history and unresolved grief.

Why It Matters

The central device offers seemingly endless visual possibilities, yet the story’s stakes stay intimate. Each key asks what a person might do with power while vulnerable or afraid.

Genre & Themes

Dark fantasy and mystery structure the series. The house serves as both archive and trap, with secrets revealed gradually through the family’s choices.

Art & Visual Identity

Rodríguez draws Keyhouse with architectural precision, giving the magical transformations clear spatial logic. Small details reward attention as the mystery deepens.

Read This If You Like

  • Haunted-house mysteries
  • Family grief stories
  • Rule-based fantasy