What do you think?
Rate this book
Locke & Key: One-Shots
Locke & Key: Dog Days
TWO new stories by creators Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez—"Nailed It" and "Dog Days"—plus an 8-page preview of an all-new series by Hill and artist Martin Simmonds, too!
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2019
7 people are currently reading
452 people want to read
About the author
Joe Hill
496 books28.8k followersJoe Hill's debut, Heart-Shaped Box, won the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel. His second, Horns, was made into a film freakfest starring Daniel Radcliffe. His other novels include NOS4A2, and his #1 New York Times Best-Seller, The Fireman... which was also the winner of a 2016 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror Novel.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
February 18, 2021
This was definitely not what I was expecting and it didn't necessarily add to the overall series
If you know me then you know that I'm a huge fan of Locke and Key. Not the TV show adaptation because I feel like Netflix ruined that, but the actually 6 volume series. It's probably one of my favorite horror comics of all time. After it's conclusion, there were a few one-shots that came out that don't necessarily tie into the story and this is one of them. It focuses on two stories; although, I believe that this issue is specifically geared towards the first story which I enjoyed more. There are three boys who are hanging out and it is clear from the beginning that something weird is going on with one of the boys. I was surprised that I didn't catch on earlier, but it definitely had an interesting little twist. The second story is one that focuses on an event that happens with the Locke family in the future. It isn't really one that I can discuss because it's really like two pages. I honestly didn't care about this story either way. The final story included in this issue is actually the first issue of a new series that Joe Hill released last year. It's called Dying Is Easy. I actually enjoyed it, but I won't review it here. Overall, I loved the artwork as always, but this wasn't really much to brag about. It was okay. It was nice being back in the world, but it's not one that I would push people to read after reading Locke & Key.
If you know me then you know that I'm a huge fan of Locke and Key. Not the TV show adaptation because I feel like Netflix ruined that, but the actually 6 volume series. It's probably one of my favorite horror comics of all time. After it's conclusion, there were a few one-shots that came out that don't necessarily tie into the story and this is one of them. It focuses on two stories; although, I believe that this issue is specifically geared towards the first story which I enjoyed more. There are three boys who are hanging out and it is clear from the beginning that something weird is going on with one of the boys. I was surprised that I didn't catch on earlier, but it definitely had an interesting little twist. The second story is one that focuses on an event that happens with the Locke family in the future. It isn't really one that I can discuss because it's really like two pages. I honestly didn't care about this story either way. The final story included in this issue is actually the first issue of a new series that Joe Hill released last year. It's called Dying Is Easy. I actually enjoyed it, but I won't review it here. Overall, I loved the artwork as always, but this wasn't really much to brag about. It was okay. It was nice being back in the world, but it's not one that I would push people to read after reading Locke & Key.
April 27, 2020
Well, if you are a Locke and Key completist, you should maybe take a look at this couple of short stories loosely situated in the Locke & Key universe, but in the way Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez do, they pay tribute in the first story, "Dog Days," to some old black and white movie shorts, Hal Roach's Spanky and Our Gang (no, not the sixties pop group--they were named after this series of kids including Spanky, Alfalfa and others. They also pay tribute to the work of Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Not much happens in this story but one boy in it is crude and "not quite right," and while we do not quite sync with his humor, we get hints about why he is the way he is.
The second story is a kind of teaser that would seem to indicate we have in store Locke and Key episodes/seasons, as Tyler turns a key and hey presto! The House is restored!!!
The last story is a preview of a new series, Dying is Easy, by Joe Hill, illustrated by Martin Simmonds about an ex-cop turned stand-up comedian. He's no good at it (which is the point), his stories are too grisly, but the dialogue and art seem promising.
The second story is a kind of teaser that would seem to indicate we have in store Locke and Key episodes/seasons, as Tyler turns a key and hey presto! The House is restored!!!
The last story is a preview of a new series, Dying is Easy, by Joe Hill, illustrated by Martin Simmonds about an ex-cop turned stand-up comedian. He's no good at it (which is the point), his stories are too grisly, but the dialogue and art seem promising.
February 13, 2020
Two short stories in this 2019 Locke & Key one-shot (read online, sorry!)
.
The first story 'Dog Days' is quite funny and a bit unsettling at times... why does Lloyd behave the way he does? The second story - 'Nailed It' is HUGE as it's a continuation from the main story... and is that a new Key? This story means a lot, and could be the start of something bigger; although just a few pages long, a must-read for the series!
.
Dog Days gets 7 out of 12, and Nailed it gets 9 out of 12, for it's importance and neat brevity!
.
The first story 'Dog Days' is quite funny and a bit unsettling at times... why does Lloyd behave the way he does? The second story - 'Nailed It' is HUGE as it's a continuation from the main story... and is that a new Key? This story means a lot, and could be the start of something bigger; although just a few pages long, a must-read for the series!
.
Dog Days gets 7 out of 12, and Nailed it gets 9 out of 12, for it's importance and neat brevity!
July 21, 2020
There are two Locke and Key stories in this one shot plus a preview of another Joe Hill comic, Dying Is Easy.
Dog Days is about 3 young boys hanging out and it becomes increasingly clear there's something off with Lloyd. The main story, Nailed It, is almost wordless. It's set in the future showing the Locke's rebuilding Key House. I thought it was fantastic.
My review of the full Dying Is Easy series can be found here. I thought it was just OK.
Dog Days is about 3 young boys hanging out and it becomes increasingly clear there's something off with Lloyd. The main story, Nailed It, is almost wordless. It's set in the future showing the Locke's rebuilding Key House. I thought it was fantastic.
My review of the full Dying Is Easy series can be found here. I thought it was just OK.
December 27, 2019
Hill does it again!
If you read the original Locke & Key series, then you are already aware of how creative Hill got with the keys and their usages (my favorite was and always will be that brain key though—I could use that thing).
Though the main series ended years ago, this is the second single issue to be published, and is just as enjoyable, if not lighter-hearted, than all of the others.
In Dog Days, some new characters, three brothers, are simply hanging out as little boys do. They climb trees, they go fishing, they ponder whatever random questions that come to mind. But there’s a catch, one eluded to by the cover: one of them isn’t actually their brother, he’s their dog.
A story meant to evoke a sense of reminiscence and bought a of chuckles, Dog Days is a great quick read and, once again, got me jonesing for another issue of Locke & Key.
If you read the original Locke & Key series, then you are already aware of how creative Hill got with the keys and their usages (my favorite was and always will be that brain key though—I could use that thing).
Though the main series ended years ago, this is the second single issue to be published, and is just as enjoyable, if not lighter-hearted, than all of the others.
In Dog Days, some new characters, three brothers, are simply hanging out as little boys do. They climb trees, they go fishing, they ponder whatever random questions that come to mind. But there’s a catch, one eluded to by the cover: one of them isn’t actually their brother, he’s their dog.
A story meant to evoke a sense of reminiscence and bought a of chuckles, Dog Days is a great quick read and, once again, got me jonesing for another issue of Locke & Key.
July 9, 2020
3.5 stars. It was cool to step back into the Locke & Key world with the awesome art by Rodriguez. The two short stories were pretty cool, just really short. Then at the end there is a few page sampler of Dying is East by Joe Hill. I was already interested in getting that trade, so it was cool to get to read a small bit of it. Seems interesting enough.
February 6, 2020
So Dog Days is just another small addition to the vast Locke & Key world. When it opens, three young boys are playing by a stream and having a conversation. It soon becomes clear that one young child is not as he seems, given his replies. I'm sure you can only imagine where this is going.
This was a fun read to the world and believe it or not, unlike the rest of the series, there is no real danger involved. Apparently the boys in question have found one of the infamous keys which has allowed them to find out what it's really like to be their pet dog. As with all of Rodriquez's work, the art is truly a masterpiece and is consistent with the rest of the series. If you're a fan of the series, there's no reason not to pick this comic up. My only complaint is that I wished it was longer.
This was a fun read to the world and believe it or not, unlike the rest of the series, there is no real danger involved. Apparently the boys in question have found one of the infamous keys which has allowed them to find out what it's really like to be their pet dog. As with all of Rodriquez's work, the art is truly a masterpiece and is consistent with the rest of the series. If you're a fan of the series, there's no reason not to pick this comic up. My only complaint is that I wished it was longer.
December 16, 2019
I'm so happy to see my favorite comic return. This is super short but cute and contains an awesome teaser.
February 27, 2020
Short and silly story. Lovely art. Dedicated to René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo; I can see a little similarity with Uderzo's style, especially in the backgrounds, but it didn't jump out at me as an homage, the way the homage to Bill Watterson did in an earlier volume.
The second story is very, very short and is interesting only in that it hints at a possible continuation of the series.
Nice to revisit this world, but left me wanting more.
The second story is very, very short and is interesting only in that it hints at a possible continuation of the series.
Nice to revisit this world, but left me wanting more.
March 3, 2020
This is probably the weakest of the Locke & Key collections. Even at 32 pages, it overstays its welcome. The Dog Days story itself is a Peanuts riff with a twisted take on Snoopy that is interesting for a bit but doesn't have anything particularly powerful to tell. And Nailed It is a one-note joke that takes about 4 pages. The main portion of the book is a preview for another series, which has nothing to do with Locke & Key except for the writer, and the preview doesn't really recommend itself. While the art is still good, this is probably the only Locke & Key title I would recommend skipping.
January 4, 2020
2.5 stars
This was a cute little short story that added nothing, really, to the initial series. I guessed the "surprise" straight away (if it was supposed to be a surprise. The following "story" eludes to the future.
I wanted more of the series and what brought the rating down was the teaser to an upcoming comic that did not enthrall me.
I bought this expecting more Locke & Key; received a little.
This was a cute little short story that added nothing, really, to the initial series. I guessed the "surprise" straight away (if it was supposed to be a surprise. The following "story" eludes to the future.
I wanted more of the series and what brought the rating down was the teaser to an upcoming comic that did not enthrall me.
I bought this expecting more Locke & Key; received a little.
November 21, 2022
I am gonna be harsh.
The first story dog days was funny i liked it.
Second story just so that tyler turns one last key to fix the house Really?
But what really annoyed me is the teaser for the new series.
You make a series about shit talking and you are censoring every single shitty word, if you are not brave to write that way, leave it to people who are, don't waste our time.
The first story dog days was funny i liked it.
Second story just so that tyler turns one last key to fix the house Really?
But what really annoyed me is the teaser for the new series.
You make a series about shit talking and you are censoring every single shitty word, if you are not brave to write that way, leave it to people who are, don't waste our time.
November 6, 2019
Dog Days is a brief but charming return to the Locke and Key universe, it doesn’t really add much to the series but it is still enjoyable. The artwork is also utterly fantastic!
November 11, 2019
This was really good!
Two short stories about the house and its keys, one that has to do with well I won't spoil with what, but it has to do with previous residents of the Keyhouse and the other short story is with familiar faces.. which I have to say, I really hope and can't wait for new stories!
Amazing artwork as always by Gabriel Rodriguez!
Two short stories about the house and its keys, one that has to do with well I won't spoil with what, but it has to do with previous residents of the Keyhouse and the other short story is with familiar faces.. which I have to say, I really hope and can't wait for new stories!
Amazing artwork as always by Gabriel Rodriguez!
July 14, 2020
Has no reason for existing. I didn't like the preview, for a standup, it didn't even feel like he was trying to tell a joke. The two short stories, of which the second is like an art exercise at most, are like ....nothing. Dog days is a fun idea about humans as dogs and vice versa but it's not even explored. Yeah just no reason for this to exist.
March 9, 2021
Jajaja vaya! Este anexo complementa muy bien el volumen 6.
Es bastante entretenido y me divertí mucho!
Quiero un día de ese perro!
Es bastante entretenido y me divertí mucho!
Quiero un día de ese perro!
March 26, 2020
A cute comic for already established Locke & Key fans. The first story shows three boys goofing off together in the woods, but one of the boys seems a bit off. A previously unknown key explains his behavior, and the story points to the boys being the sons of Mary, thus Chamberlin's grandsons. The second story picks up after the original series, as the Locke family begins to rebuild the Key House. Son Tyler finds a way to build quickly, which hopefully means further adventures await.
March 18, 2020
Well, this is a little bit of nothing, but the two stories are nonetheless very Locke-and-Key and cute and funny little bits. So, worth reading, but I'd prefer to get the complete _Golden Age_ collection, and then be on to World War Key!
April 8, 2020
This one shot contains a couple of short stories and a preview of a non-Locke & Key comic. The first short story experiments with the art style. It is a lighthearted, fun little romp. The second story is very short, but gives us a look at the current Locke family and the state of Key House. There is nothing mind blowing here, but it is cool to see keys being used in different ways then we have seen before.
February 16, 2020
Two shot stories: a cute one about Mary Locke's children (Chamberlin's grand-kids) AND a veeery short possible teaser to a follow-up of the main series ?!?!
Hill and Rodriguez mentioned in an interview that they have a whole new cycle of 30-40 issues planned but are unsure if it'll ever be done. Now that I've seen those ~8 pages starring Tyler Locke I reeeeally hope they get to it, I need more Locke & Key in my life 😭
Chamberlin appears as a ghost in the main Locke & Key series and the one-shot stories that have been released are about his family:
- Locke & Key: Small World, about his whole family and their life at Keyhouse.
- Locke and Key: Guide to the Known Keys, about his son Ian.
- Locke & Key: Grindhouse, about a break-in at Keyhouse when his daughters Mary and Jean, now adults, are living there.
- Locke and Key: Dog Days, about Mary's children.
Hill and Rodriguez mentioned in an interview that they have a whole new cycle of 30-40 issues planned but are unsure if it'll ever be done. Now that I've seen those ~8 pages starring Tyler Locke I reeeeally hope they get to it, I need more Locke & Key in my life 😭
Chamberlin appears as a ghost in the main Locke & Key series and the one-shot stories that have been released are about his family:
- Locke & Key: Small World, about his whole family and their life at Keyhouse.
- Locke and Key: Guide to the Known Keys, about his son Ian.
- Locke & Key: Grindhouse, about a break-in at Keyhouse when his daughters Mary and Jean, now adults, are living there.
- Locke and Key: Dog Days, about Mary's children.
November 8, 2019
Way too short.
October 25, 2020
Aquestes històries comencen a ser un allargament del xiclet important.
March 13, 2020
Too short. Too shallow.
November 8, 2021
Este de plano fue muy ‘meh’. Lo único bueno la reconstrucción, creo.
January 26, 2020
2 'stories' in this. "Dog Days" is lame, with a cute ending. "Nailed It" is just a house flipping over. Then there is an EIGHT page preview for another Joe Hill comic, not a Locke and Key one, by the way!
So, a 32 page comic, ONE-FOURTH of which is an ad for a different comic! AND, "Nailed It" has a grand total of FOUR words in it! I don't feel like I really got my $4.99 worth.
So, a 32 page comic, ONE-FOURTH of which is an ad for a different comic! AND, "Nailed It" has a grand total of FOUR words in it! I don't feel like I really got my $4.99 worth.
February 23, 2021
Es la historia que más me decepcionó. Un trío de amigos tontos haciendo tonterías con la llave animal y al final te deja un adelanto de un nuevo cómic que ni leí porque no me interesa. Uno de los tres personajes me pareció un chiquillo insoportable, aunque con su razón de ser. Una lástima porque la portada es hermosa y te da la sensación de que sería una historia más divertida.
November 15, 2019
not really anything
December 29, 2024
This was really cute.
March 17, 2024
- Book Playlist (Locke & Key Book Series Playlist)
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)
Some Locke kids from days past (I believe Mary's kids) are trying to find something to do on a lazy day.
Their "friend" Lloyed has some...interesting ideas. Mostly because he's their dog and they used the Animal Key to make their dog into a human. But he's still got a dog brain.
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
REVIEW:
I am pretty sure this story is about Mary Locke's (from The Golden Age and Grindhouse) kids. They look just like her kids in the Grindhouse story, although the artwork was different in Grindhouse. And their mom looks like Mary as well, but it isn't confirmed for sure.
The first couple of pages I'm wondering what's up with their friend Lloyd. But a few pages later I realized what was going on. lol
A cute quickie about some sweeter Keyhouse times.
There is also a bonus little quickie called Nailed It at the end. In it, Tyler makes a giant key to restore Keyhouse while the family looks on. The house looks a little different when it is restored. Interesting. Wonder if that's a clue that he will be continuing the series? Not sure.
Overall a nice little quickie (or two). I liked them even if they were just fluff and didn't necessarily add anything to the core story.
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)
Some Locke kids from days past (I believe Mary's kids) are trying to find something to do on a lazy day.
Their "friend" Lloyed has some...interesting ideas. Mostly because he's their dog and they used the Animal Key to make their dog into a human. But he's still got a dog brain.
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
REVIEW:
I am pretty sure this story is about Mary Locke's (from The Golden Age and Grindhouse) kids. They look just like her kids in the Grindhouse story, although the artwork was different in Grindhouse. And their mom looks like Mary as well, but it isn't confirmed for sure.
The first couple of pages I'm wondering what's up with their friend Lloyd. But a few pages later I realized what was going on. lol
A cute quickie about some sweeter Keyhouse times.
There is also a bonus little quickie called Nailed It at the end. In it, Tyler makes a giant key to restore Keyhouse while the family looks on. The house looks a little different when it is restored. Interesting. Wonder if that's a clue that he will be continuing the series? Not sure.
Overall a nice little quickie (or two). I liked them even if they were just fluff and didn't necessarily add anything to the core story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews