Locke & Key/Sandman Universe: Hell & Gone #0
Recap
If you think you can unlock the gates of Hell and just invite yourself in, you must be Dreaming!
The Sandman Universe crossover begins here, with this specially priced re-introduction of the storylines and characters who populate next month's landmark event series.
First, in the Eisner-winning Locke & Key tale, "Open the Moon," meet Chamberlin Locke, patriarch of the Locke family, whose Moon Key began to unlock the events of this event series.
Next, journey with the Lord of Dreams to Lucifer's domain in the chapter of Sandman's epic "Season of Mists" storyline that sees the Key to Hell change hands in a most momentous way.
Review
Locke & Key/The Sandman Universe: Hell & Gone #0 is broken into three sections. The first is a new Locke and Key story, “Open the Moon.” The next is a breakdown of all the known keys from the series and the last section is the original Sandman #1. The three sections work together perfectly to prepare readers for the series and provides everything a reader needs to know. Even if you believe you are a seasoned Locke and Key or Sandman reader, this issue seems to be a great place to start. What I found most surprising is how well Locke and Key fits in the Sandman Universe and vice versa.
“Open the Moon” is a beautiful story that caught me off-guard. There is a certain charm about it that has stuck with me since I read it. Hill seems to capture some of the magic that I only thought Neil Gaiman could conjure. Hill is able to pull at the heartstrings and leave the reader sad but happy at the same time. As I finished going through this issue and revisited Sandman #1, I was amazed at how well the two stories complement each other. From a reader’s point of view, this issue is an amazing deal. I would pay full price for “Open the Moon,” but you also get a breakdown of all the known keys, and Sandman #1. This is a must own for any fan of Locke and Key, the recent Sandman Universe line, and the original series.
Final Thoughts
Locke & Key / The Sandman Universe: Hell & Gone #0 is a nice and early Christmas gift and a perfect primer for the series. Fans of the Locke & Key comics and the Netflix series, as well as Sandman comics, will thoroughly this preview and have something to look forward to in the new year.
Locke & Key/Sandman Universe: Hell & Gone #0: A Perfect Pair
- Writing - 8/108/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 8/108/10
- Color - 8/108/10
- Cover Art - 8/108/10