Locke & Key – Small World #1 (2016)
Genre
🔑 Horror | Dark Fantasy | Supernatural Thriller
Locke & Key – Small World is steeped in gothic horror and eerie fantasy, seamlessly blending psychological suspense with darkly imaginative worldbuilding. This standalone story continues the terrifying legacy of Keyhouse, offering new depths of supernatural dread wrapped in childhood wonder.
Main Characters
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Mary Locke – A young Locke family member full of curiosity and imagination.
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Jean Locke – Mary’s adventurous sister, equally drawn to the magical secrets of Keyhouse.
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Chamberlin Locke – Their caring father and one of the early guardians of Keyhouse’s keys.
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Eight-Legged Monster – A terrifying entity inadvertently released through a magical gift.
Writer
✍️ Joe Hill
The acclaimed horror novelist and Eisner Award-winning writer of the original Locke & Key series returns with another hauntingly brilliant script that balances innocence, dread, and myth.
Artist
🎨 Gabriel Rodríguez
Rodríguez’s artwork is masterfully detailed, bringing both whimsy and terror to life. His distinct architectural style for Keyhouse and expressive character designs enrich the storytelling with cinematic flair.
Editor Details
🖋️ Chris Ryall
As editor-in-chief at the time, Ryall ensured the book’s continuity within the Locke & Key universe, maintaining its signature tone while allowing for a new, self-contained narrative to emerge.
Publisher and Brand
🏷️ IDW Publishing
Locke & Key – Small World was published under IDW’s main horror and fantasy line, continuing the imprint’s dedication to creator-driven storytelling and high-quality visual production.
Release Year
📅 2016
This issue marked a long-awaited return to the Locke & Key universe after a three-year hiatus, serving as a prelude and teaser for upcoming stories in the mythos.
Brief Plot Summary
Chamberlin Locke gifts his daughters a magical dollhouse that’s an exact miniature replica of their home—Keyhouse. Unknown to them, this "small world" is linked to their real world. When a sinister creature makes its way from the dollhouse into their reality, the Locke children must confront a deadly threat. What begins as a harmless birthday gift becomes a portal to an eight-legged nightmare.
Notable Arcs or Storylines
🌌 “Small World” serves as a standalone prequel to the main Locke & Key series. Set generations before the events of the original saga, it expands the lore of Keyhouse and its magical keys while giving readers a glimpse into the long history of the Locke family’s magical legacy.
Fan Theories or Interpretations
💭 Some fans speculate that the spider-like monster is a manifestation tied to one of the unintroduced keys or an early form of a demon seen in later arcs. Others view the story as a metaphor for the vulnerability of innocence in the face of inherited responsibility and generational secrets.
Review Summary
⭐ A Return Worth the Wait!
Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez deliver a concise yet emotionally potent story filled with eerie charm and dread. The pacing is tight, and the narrative balance between childhood wonder and real danger is masterfully done. Rodríguez’s artwork, particularly in rendering the intricate dollhouse and the menacing monster, elevates the suspense to new heights. Whether you're a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, Small World offers a haunting and heartfelt glimpse into the Locke & Key mythos. 🗝️🎨👧
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
