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keeper_of_dark_materials's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
aylincoolcat's review against another edition
4.0
Auch dieser Band sprudelt über vor verrückten Ideen und brutalen Kämpfen und düsteren Machenschaften. Der Zeichenstil bleibt abwechslungsreich und es gibt ein paar experimentelle Szenen, die künstlerisch hervorgestochen sind.
Leider schwächelt die Charakterentwicklung ziemlich und die Handlung wirkt etwas festgefahren.
Leider schwächelt die Charakterentwicklung ziemlich und die Handlung wirkt etwas festgefahren.
_ash0_'s review
5.0
Omg! Such a scary ending it was. I can’t wait to read the next volume. Volume 4 was amazing. Volume 3 was also better than volume 2.
lanternatomika's review
4.0
With volumes 3 and 4 of Locke & Key, Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez continue to weave comic book magic.
What I noticed is that these two volumes don't do a lot to progress the main story of the series. In fact, it spends so much time on slice of life and family drama within the Lockes, you might forget what this story is really supposed to be about. That is, of course, until you get to the end of volume 4, and the story really kicks into high gear.
In a more average comic, this approach would come off as boring. As it turns out, Locke & Key isn't an average series at all. The focus on the Locke family is great because their individual stories honestly are more interesting than the mystery with Zack Wells and all that. You get individual issues in this set focusing on Tyler, Kinsey, Bode and Mama Locke, and Hill is still exploring how their grief and trauma interacts with their experiences with the keys.
Rodriguez is still crushing it with the art, which gets even more experimental this time around. Highlights in these two volumes are the chapters that focus on Bode, and the one chapter that shows us how Rufus sees the world.
I suppose you could uncharitably call these two volumes filler, but they're so engaging and engrossing that they don't feel like filler. Onwards to the final pair!
What I noticed is that these two volumes don't do a lot to progress the main story of the series. In fact, it spends so much time on slice of life and family drama within the Lockes, you might forget what this story is really supposed to be about. That is, of course, until you get to the end of volume 4, and the story really kicks into high gear.
In a more average comic, this approach would come off as boring. As it turns out, Locke & Key isn't an average series at all. The focus on the Locke family is great because their individual stories honestly are more interesting than the mystery with Zack Wells and all that. You get individual issues in this set focusing on Tyler, Kinsey, Bode and Mama Locke, and Hill is still exploring how their grief and trauma interacts with their experiences with the keys.
Rodriguez is still crushing it with the art, which gets even more experimental this time around. Highlights in these two volumes are the chapters that focus on Bode, and the one chapter that shows us how Rufus sees the world.
I suppose you could uncharitably call these two volumes filler, but they're so engaging and engrossing that they don't feel like filler. Onwards to the final pair!
modkuraika's review
4.0
I think the first half leaned a little too much into Dodge being incompetent and Saturday Morning Cartoon-ish but I think the second half picked up. Summing up further adventures and establishing new, increasingly ridiculous keys in single panels or pages worked well. Although... the Skin Key definitely wouldn't fly now. Doubt the Gender Key would either. Combining the two into the Identity Key for the show so that it's a lot less specific is a clever workaround.
adamskiboy528491's review
4.0
“Hello, darkness…my old friend.” - Dodge
Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez Volume 2 has both the action and the drama. I do love the change in art style as time goes on. The court becomes slightly more refined as the comic series continues, with thinner lines and more realistic faces. The final pages of Crown of Shadows' last chapter have panels arranged with ink shards of broken glass, corresponding with the chapter title "Beyond Repair", which was pretty clever. The first issue of Keys to the Kingdom has scenes from Bode's point-of-view in an homage to Calvin and Hobbes, while a later issue has a few scenes from Rufus's point-of-view done in the style of an old war comic.
Particularly in Crown of Shadows, the spirits of Sam Lesser and Dodge facing off in the Keyhouse air was incredible. Sam's hand morphs into a chainsaw while Dodge wields his usual fencing sword. They both head into "Zack's" body simultaneously and struggle for control before Sam morphs in his hand into a noose to try to strangle Dodge. He's only able to get away by turning his hands into scissors that cut off the noose and a cleaver that wounds Sam. Dodge walked into the situation thinking he'd be able to convince Sam to help him find the Omega Key, only to be driven away by his rage and conviction.
Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez Volume 2 has both the action and the drama. I do love the change in art style as time goes on. The court becomes slightly more refined as the comic series continues, with thinner lines and more realistic faces. The final pages of Crown of Shadows' last chapter have panels arranged with ink shards of broken glass, corresponding with the chapter title "Beyond Repair", which was pretty clever. The first issue of Keys to the Kingdom has scenes from Bode's point-of-view in an homage to Calvin and Hobbes, while a later issue has a few scenes from Rufus's point-of-view done in the style of an old war comic.
Particularly in Crown of Shadows, the spirits of Sam Lesser and Dodge facing off in the Keyhouse air was incredible. Sam's hand morphs into a chainsaw while Dodge wields his usual fencing sword. They both head into "Zack's" body simultaneously and struggle for control before Sam morphs in his hand into a noose to try to strangle Dodge. He's only able to get away by turning his hands into scissors that cut off the noose and a cleaver that wounds Sam. Dodge walked into the situation thinking he'd be able to convince Sam to help him find the Omega Key, only to be driven away by his rage and conviction.
alekscanard's review
4.0
A solid follow up to the first Master Edition with a lot of new interesting mechanics introduced.
patty_creatively_bookish's review
story 5/5
characters 4,5/5
writing 4,5/5
audio/paper Paper.
reread? Yes.
Recommend it? Absolutely.
Verhaal: 5/5
Karakters: 4,5/5
Schrijfstijl: 4,5/5
Papier/audio? Papier.
Herlezen: Ja.
Aanrader? Absoluut.
characters 4,5/5
writing 4,5/5
audio/paper Paper.
reread? Yes.
Recommend it? Absolutely.
Verhaal: 5/5
Karakters: 4,5/5
Schrijfstijl: 4,5/5
Papier/audio? Papier.
Herlezen: Ja.
Aanrader? Absoluut.
thatguitarist7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25