With every new issue of Locke & Key, I become a little bit sadder. In the upper left hand corner of each issue, we are reminded that there are only so many issues left before this series is over. I will be sad, but satisfied as well, because I’ve seen good things drawn out and watch them fall apart. This won’t happen to Locke & Key, I will be happy to re-read the trades that I own as I would re-watch a movie.

With that said, the new issue of Locke & Key: Clockworks, entitled “The Keeper of the Keys” was released today. The pay off for the key first seen in Locke & Key: Head Games, atop the grandfather clock pays off greatly in this issue. If you remember issue #2, “Smash”, and the fiasco that occurred with Tyler almost setting the house on fire. The key Time Shift Key was discovered in the aftermath, and the connection was made to the grandfather clock itself, which can be set to go to a certain time period and apparently is not prepared for Y2K (get the issue, and you’ll understand).

Tyler & Kinsey decide to take a trip back in time, the first time period visited can be found in Clockworks’ first issue, “The Locksmith’s Son.” With the scars of their father’s death still not fully healed, the second trip is to the period right around the time of the infamous Tempest play (again mentioned in previous issues). In the aftermath of the play and with graduation on the horizon, Rendell has it in his mind to use the one key, the Omega key. A key, which sets the events of the Locke & Key series in motion.

This issue does a great job of tying in the first two issues of the Clockworks series; signs of great maturity from the wonderful Joe Hill. Even more fantastic is Gabriel Rodriguez’s art; every issue stuns me and I am ashamed that I haven’t known his work before Locke & Key. Look, If you haven’t plunged into this series, go over to ComiXology and get the first series for $4.99! That’s right, it’s that cheap for the first six issues. Do it, you’ll thank me!