Locke & Key Books in Order

How to Read Locke & Key: The Recommended Order

For the best experience, first-time readers should read the core story of Locke & Key in its original publication order. Written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez, the main saga was designed to be experienced starting with the arrival of the Locke family at Keyhouse and culminating in the epic finale of the sixth volume. Reading the prequels first spoils key mysteries and lacks the emotional weight established in the main run.

The Core Saga (Volumes 1–6)

This is the essential narrative arc that follows Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode Locke as they discover the magical keys and confront the dark entity known as Dodge:

1. Welcome to Lovecraft (2008) – Introduces the Locke family, Keyhouse, and the first set of keys after a family tragedy.
2. Head Games (2009) – Expands the lore of the keys, specifically focusing on the Head Key and its psychological impact.
3. Crown of Shadows (2010) – Escalates the horror elements as Dodge unleashes shadow creatures to attack Keyhouse.
4. Keys to the Kingdom (2011) – Features seasonal vignettes, introduces more bizarre keys, and raises the stakes.
5. Clockworks (2013) – Explores the historical origins of the keys and the Locke ancestors, setting up the finale.
6. Alpha & Omega (2014) – The climactic conclusion to the Locke children's battle against Dodge.

Understanding The Golden Age, Prequels, and Spin-Offs

Once you finish the main six-volume run, you can dive into the rich collection of prequel stories and one-shots. These stories flesh out the history of the Locke family ancestors and the various eras of Keyhouse.

Locke & Key: The Golden Age

Published in 2022, this collection gathers several historically-focused prequel stories and crossovers. If you are buying collected editions, obtaining this book is the easiest way to read the following works:

• Small World (2017) – A standalone prequel set in the early 20th century featuring a miniature Keyhouse.
• Open the Moon – Originally part of the Guide to the Known Keys, this story introduces the Moon Key.
• Face the Music – A short story focusing on the Orchestra Key.
• ...In Pale Battalions Go... #1–3 (2020) – A tragic three-part story set during World War I, detailing how the Locke family's keys were used on the battlefield.
• Locke & Key/Sandman: Hell & Gone #0–2 (2020–2021) – An epic crossover with Neil Gaiman's The Sandman Universe, where Mary Locke travels to Hell to rescue her brother's soul.

Other One-Shots and Alternate Collections

Depending on how you collect the series, you may also encounter these standalone volumes:

• Heaven and Earth (2017) – A compilation that collects the early one-shots "Open the Moon," "Grindhouse," and "In the Can." Most of these stories are also compiled in The Golden Age.
• Dog Days (2019) – A release collecting the title story "Dog Days" (about ancestors using the Animal Key) and the short story "Nailed It."

Chronological Reading Order (For Re-Readers)

If you have already read the main series and want to experience the events of the Locke & Key universe in the order they occurred historically, you can follow this chronological timeline. Note that we do not recommend this path for beginners, as it ruins the pacing and suspense of the main storyline.

1. "Open the Moon" (Set in 1912)
2. "Grindhouse" (Set in 1912)
3. Small World (Set in 1915)
4. ...In Pale Battalions Go... #1–3 (Set in 1915–1916)
5. Locke & Key/Sandman: Hell & Gone #1–2 (Set in 1927)
6. The Main Saga: Volumes 1–6 (Set in the modern day)
7. "Nailed It" (Set during/after the events of the main saga)
8. "Dog Days" (Modern day epilogue story)

What to Know Before You Start

The universe of Locke & Key is highly interconnected but remains self-contained enough that you do not need to read other IDW comics or DC's The Sandman to enjoy the core plot. While the crossover Hell & Gone heavily references Neil Gaiman's The Sandman: Season of Mists, Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez ensure that the narrative remains readable even with only a basic understanding of Dream and the Endless. Keep an eye out for World War Key, the planned future expansion of the series that will bridge multiple historical eras.