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A review by stephen_arvidson
Locke & Key, Vol. 5: Clockworks by Joe Hill
5.0
Clockworks, the fifth full-length entry in the captivating Locke & Key saga, opens with Tyler and Kinsey Locke reeling in the aftermath of their deadly confrontation with the late Lucas "Dodge" Caravaggio, unaware that Dodge’s ghost has taken residence in the body of their younger brother, Bode. Now free to wander the halls and chambers of Keyhouse unhampered, Dodge's insidious quest to acquire the Omega Key and open the Black Door is nearing fruition. Meanwhile, Tyler and Kinsey discover a new fantastical relic—the Timeshift Key—that allows users to take a revelatory stroll down memory lane. With the ability to travel back in time and uncover their family legacy and the origins of Keyhouse, the Locke children soon realize that history has a wretched way of repeating itself.
Clockworks is wholly distinct from the previous volumes in that it occurs predominantly in the past and enlightens readers on all the necessary back-story before the final showdown. Clockworks answers many long-running questions that have plagued audiences from the onset, and the answers don’t disappoint. Joe Hill offers a compelling origin myth that's meaningful and strengthens the original storyline without overselling it. Redolent throughout this volume is an overwhelming sense of dread; yet even in its bleak moments there is levity. With the story set largely in the past, readers of the preceding volumes know that things will end very badly for Rendall Locke and his friends. Devastating choices are made in a moment, but the consequences will transcend a lifetime and spell doom for future generations.
Easter eggs and remarkable literary references abound in this handsome trade, rewarding multiple readings. An implicit connection between the unnamed demons beyond the Black Door and the otherworldly monsters of H.P. Lovecraft's universe is made clear when those unfortunate to be possessed cry out, “Ia! Ia! Shub-Niggarauth!”—and let’s not forget the goats, either.
Hill and Rodriguez pack a collective punch in this latest installment. Top-notch artwork combined with a dark, complex story that’s epic in scope makes for one helluva ride. Alas, Clockworks is the beginning of the end for this stunning series, and this penultimate volume firmly sets the stage for the final act. As further proof that all good things must come to a close, Locke & Key is a shinning testament to Joe Hill's masterful storytelling.
Clockworks is wholly distinct from the previous volumes in that it occurs predominantly in the past and enlightens readers on all the necessary back-story before the final showdown. Clockworks answers many long-running questions that have plagued audiences from the onset, and the answers don’t disappoint. Joe Hill offers a compelling origin myth that's meaningful and strengthens the original storyline without overselling it. Redolent throughout this volume is an overwhelming sense of dread; yet even in its bleak moments there is levity. With the story set largely in the past, readers of the preceding volumes know that things will end very badly for Rendall Locke and his friends. Devastating choices are made in a moment, but the consequences will transcend a lifetime and spell doom for future generations.
Easter eggs and remarkable literary references abound in this handsome trade, rewarding multiple readings. An implicit connection between the unnamed demons beyond the Black Door and the otherworldly monsters of H.P. Lovecraft's universe is made clear when those unfortunate to be possessed cry out, “Ia! Ia! Shub-Niggarauth!”—and let’s not forget the goats, either.
Hill and Rodriguez pack a collective punch in this latest installment. Top-notch artwork combined with a dark, complex story that’s epic in scope makes for one helluva ride. Alas, Clockworks is the beginning of the end for this stunning series, and this penultimate volume firmly sets the stage for the final act. As further proof that all good things must come to a close, Locke & Key is a shinning testament to Joe Hill's masterful storytelling.