I credit two of our own (Ajee Prior and Weapon of Math Instruction) for turning me on to graphic novels. I must have spent hours on the couch pouring through Neil Gaiman’s masterpiece, the Sandman series. Since then I’ve read quite a few fine examples of beautiful storytelling in this format, although I’ve never found anything that’s captured my imagination quite the same way that Gaiman did. Until now.

Some of you may be familiar with Joe Hill. He published his first novel (Heart-Shaped Box) in 2007 and a second (Horns) in 2010.  Both are excellent additions to the horror genre–I particularly enjoyed Heart-Shaped Box, which made it all the way up to #8 on the New York Time bestseller list.  Now Joe Hill is dabbling in graphic novels, and I am enthralled by the results.  Behold!  Locke and Key.

I’ve read the first two hardcover compilations (Welcome to Lovecraft and Head Games) and I’m dying to get my hands on the third.  It’s a story about children, but it’s not for children.  It’s about secrets and lies and how the past can come back to haunt you.  Hill has created a magical world with compelling characters, and the illustrations are just beautiful.

Wikipedia informs me that it’s also been optioned for a television series that started shooting in February.  Of course, there’s a good chance that in adapting it they will fuck it all up, but here’s hoping they won’t.

(It may be remiss of me not to mention that Joe Hill is Stephen King’s son, but he really seems to be trying to make it on his own merits.  He may have learned his storytelling skills at his father’s knee, but he’s coming up with some amazing ideas all on his own.)