There’s a lot going on in LOCKE & KEY world this month. Here’s a long entry that is actually very short because most of it is pictures.
Tomorrow this is out:
It’s the third book in the series, and you can find it in bookstores and comic shops everywhere (for the next few days you can also still order a signed copy from Cornerstone Books or Casablanca Comics – see here for more details).
But there’s also this:
You’re looking at LOCKE & KEY: KEYS TO THE KINGDOM #1, which features a standalone story called “Sparrow.” With the exception of the last two issues, all of the stories in KEYS TO THE KINGDOM are standalones; you don’t need to already be familiar with the series to jump in and enjoy. Every issue will also introduce a set of new keys (again, except for the last two). And when KEYS wraps up, we’ll be moving into the final stage of the larger story. I have had more fun than I can easily say writing about Bode, Tyler and Kinsey, but the good times have to end sometime; you can kill a good thing, draggin’ it out too long. The plan is for just two more books after this one, and then I will really be closing the door on LOCKE & KEY.
Now wait, we’re not done. Because this is also out tomorrow:
That would be the $1 LEGACY EDITION reprint of the first ever issue of LOCKE & KEY, and includes “The Cheat Sheet,” an 8-page summary of everything that’s happened in LOCKE & KEY since WELCOME TO LOVECRAFT #1. And, uh, the Cheat Sheet features a couple photo sequences starring yours truly, and shot by my pal Shane Leonard. And this is what I say to anyone who doesn’t like it:
Shane wasn’t the only friend to make a major contribution to “the Cheat Sheet.” The other would be Israel Skelton of Skelton Crew studios, who fashioned an actual in-the-real-world version of the Ghost Door for my office. Israel is a busy, busy man. As of this month, he’s signed on with IDW to create a series of replica keys based on the Locke & Key stories. Izzy made a limited run of ghost keys for ComicCon 2009, and this year will be offering limited runs of The Head Key and The Echo Key:
The Head Key will be available through Israel’s website as of Wednesday the 11th – pop right over if you want to get your hands on one. I’ll be signing the tags on the keys for all preorders made by September 2nd. The Echo Key will make its way into the wild later in the fall. (Update: although I’m not entirely sure when they’ll ship, both keys are now up for sale. Here’s your linky-link)
Thanks for caring about the comic, guys, and I hope you have fun with the new series.
The Echo Key looks incredible.
For Joe’s message board fans, the Head Key’s available starting tonight, a little bit early. Really hope you dig it.
A crazy day of purchasing tomorrow.
Those keys kick some ass.
JUst put in a order for the HEAD KEY….Keep us updated on when the others are ready for us to order..A HeLLa ‘ Thanks to I.Skelton & Joe.
you want me to be in the poorhouse don’t you?
The Echo Key isnt available just yet damn, Joe you got my hopes up there saying both keys now available!!
Just back from Skelton Crew Studio site have to wait till after the BangPop comic con in Bangor for any unsold Echo Keys, fingers crossed there are some, I want them all!!!!
Me too, herbie! Bless all your hearts…Izzy, Joe, Gabe & IDW for allowing us a chance to have “the keys to the kingdom”!
PS…Awesome key on the cover of KK #1! I want that one too!
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SOOOO excited! These keys are wicked!!!! I can’t wait to get mine!!
Off to place my order for the one I can get!!
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Just got the head key ordered as there was a delay in the pricing for shipping to the Uk, between this and the t-shirt on Tee Fury am going to be broke soon!!!
Israel/Joe – thanks so much for keeping us informed! Just orded my key today! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
You should be proud. Great art, great story, great site. Have fun and I’m about to read the first issue of the Keys to the Kingdom now. Any news on the next Criminal series?? The Sinners was bad ass.
Shiny
Whatever LOT that’s going on w/ Locke & Keye apparently doesn’t include Amazon.com sending me the comic books I ordered almost two weeks ago now.
IDK what to do, b/c I’m not sure how to contact them and let them know. I’d have to find the place I used to order them, and I didn’t bookmark it.
I don’t have 2 weeks worth of patience. I barely have one day.
If I were wealthy-and didn’t care about losing the money I already gave to Amazon-I’d just order 3 new copies. My daughter’s dad used to think that was crazy to do even if you have the money to do it. But he grew up w/ nothing, just like I did. It’s just that he made $$ off a talent, hard work and the fortitude you need to make it in the entertainment industry.
He refused to spend money the way most successful people did.
I really do wonder what I can do to contact Amazon. I’m not computer savvy and don’t know how to find the site I used.
All I know is I went directly to Amazon; I didn’t click the Amazon link on this site, the one that takes you directly to the order for Horns. I went to Amazon and typed in LOCKE & KEYE.
I really want to read those books, b/c I’m tired of having to skip over half the comments on account of they give away too much information about what happens in later issues.
I shared this thread on Facebook. I hope you don’t mind.
There are entirely too many people who haven’t heard of Locke & Keye. I wanted them to know it exists.
I told them to read Welcome to Lovecraft first.
Bwahahahaha! I *love* that picture. Snarfing your V8 is TRULY the way to begin your day. Thanks!
I just pre-ordered the Head Key- LOVE it! Beautiful work, Israel- I can’t wait to have it in my hands and see all of the detail.
Joe, that should be your author photo on your next book. *thumbs-up*
I miss the board….I feel like I don’t see you guys enough any more.
Miss you too LK!
AND the board. How am I going to hear the news & get good book recs?
No kidding, Betsy! I feel so behind….thanks for remembering me. I guess I’m melancholy of late, don’t know why.
Maybe if we whine enough, they’ll open the board back up. Even partially….you don’t have to post, Joe….we’ll be gooooood! Cross our hearts and hope to die….. >:-}
Hey you two – and others…
The board will always exist.
Inside each tiny silent thought, we all speak softly with each other.
In print, on blended sites, short specifics grow volumes.
Pluck the radiant senses…unbounded!
D.
Thanks D…I like the way you think.
“Pluck the radiant senses…unbounded!”
That sounds very Ray Bradbury-an….I love it!
But I still miss a place to chat w/ everyone about Joe’s work and other stuff…
I just got notification that my key has shipped! Yay!
My key just arrived today. Effing awesome! I’ve been chasing my dog around all day trying to open his head. LOL!!!
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i own all of the keys now!!! so amazing!!! i cant wait for the tv series. hope they do it right!!! AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you are appearing At cornerstone books or even Better i could Get my 4th “Locke and key” -”The Keys to the Kingdom Inscribed. I have been reading/ collecting your Art; since i found out about the Spiderman Collaboration. I bought signed versions of 20th Century Ghosts, Horns, Welcome to Lovecraft, Head Games, The Crown of Shadows-
I am Eagerly Awaiting “The Collected “Keys to the Kingdom-”Id love to obtain an INSCRIBED copy,-IN PERSON, ( a parlay) with Joe Hill or through Cornerstone Books, P.S. -I am very happy that you decided to expand and ARC “The Cape” I love it. I having troubles finding Kodiak. Think New york-I think Kodiak island bears or bears of any kind are VERY frightening.Thanks for expanding the world of speculative fiction. Your work reads like electric -pure thought transfer. Ron Scott Sippel
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