Locke & Key: Alpha #1 (Newbury Comics Retailer Variant)

Third book in today's review marathon. Nine to go to finish the stack. Four more to get me back on track for one per day to finish the stack before we leave on Friday.

Title: Locke & Key: Alpha
Issue: #1
Date: August, 2013
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: Joe Hill
Artist: Gabriel Rodriguez
Colorist: Jay Fotos
Letterer: Robbie Robbins
Editor: Chris Ryall

Newbury Comics retailer variant cover!

This is a big climactic battle, and, having not read much of what led up to this, I was a bit lost in terms of who everyone was. No fault of the comic's. It even provided a quick recap on the inside front cover. I would just point out that if you are new to Locke & Key, as I was, this is probably not the best jumping-in point, in spite of the "issue #1" on the front cover (which I am guessing is why I bought this in the first place).

All of that being said, this was an awesomely epic good vs. evil confrontation, featuring a really horrifying villain, a seemingly hopeless situation for the good guys, and a heroic final stand. It was fun, with plenty of gore and horror elements, all used very well.

I wasn't even too bothered by the villain's excessive talking about his plans for world domination when he should probably just have been getting on with making good on his threats to the captive heroes. The villain here is so obnoxious that it's worth it hearing some of his over-the-top soliloquizing, even if he's playing into a classic trope.

I need to go back and read some of what lead up to this.

Rating: 8/10

Locke & Key: Free Comic Book Day Edition

Title: Locke & Key: Free Comic Book Day Edition
Date: 2011
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: Joe Hill
Artist: Gabriel Rodriguez
Colorist: Jay Fotos
Letterer: Robbie Robbins
Editor: Chris Ryall

Three kids have become the guardians of the Keyhouse, whose keys can unlock all manner of powers and secrets. Opposing them is an evil wizard-type named Dodge, who animates the shadows of the house and sends them to attack the kids.

This issue is essentially a single fight scene, but it's a really good one that flows logically and keeps up the intensity. The characters are introduced mostly through their actions and some dialogue and we get a fairly good sense of them. It was enough to interest me in seeing more.

The art by Gabriel Rodriguez is spectacular, especially on the shadow creatures, which come off as very menacing. This was a good sample of the story and a really fun series of scenes that definitely will have me on the lookout for more Locke & Key stories.

Excellent example of what a Free Comic Book Day promo should be.

Rating: 8/10

Beowulf Comicon Promo

Title: Beowulf Comicon Promo
Date: July, 2007
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Writer: Chris Ryall
Art: Gabriel Rodriguez
Colorist: Jay Folos
Letterer: Robbie Robbins
Based On The Screenplay By: Neil Gaiman, Roger Avary

"Monster Grendel's tastes are plainish/For breakfast, just a couple Danish." - Maurice Sagoff.

IDW's preview of their comic based on the movie based on the ancient Anglo-Saxon epic. We get started with Grendel attacking Hrothgar's hall and tearing apart some of the Geatish warriors. Interestingly, Grendel refuses to fight Hrothgar himself, the first of several hints of a connection between the two that the Gaiman/Avary script adds in an attempt to "improve" a story that has endured for well over 1000 years. The fight scene is pretty standard comic fare, but the introduction of Grendel's mother gets is a bit more interesting, and the arrival of Beowulf in the land of the Geats is handled quite nicely. Visually, the combination of Gabriel Rodriguez's artwork and Jay Folos' coloring is stunning. While there is some wandering from the source material, there is also some obvious effort made to stay faithful to the original wherever possible.

Rating: 6/10