The crossover event we never knew was possible is almost done and we're sad to see it burn out.
We're sure we're not in the same boat here, but Sandman was one of our earliest gateway comics. Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean's dreamland was required reading in college, and Lisa made her first fumblings with the sequential form within its gorgeous and rich pages. Likewise, Locke & Key was a comic that reenergized our spirit regarding comic books as a whole. Joe Hill taking his twisted prose and injecting it into comics was a dark blessing, and Gabriel Rodriguez's overwhelmingly beautiful pencils stirred equally overwhelming emotions.
We never thought these two realms would ever cross over, but here we are. 2021 is a helluva year, but at least we have this. Issues #0 and #1 delivered a funny, strange vibe. It took a while to adjust to these characters and worlds brushing up against each other. But then we got to those final pages, and now Etrigan the Demon is involved. Oh, you had our curiosity, but now you have our attention.
Locke & Key/The Sandman Universe: Hell & Gone #2 hits your comic shop on August 31st. That's a long wait, but one we're more than willing to take. Frankly, it gives us enough time to do a Locke & Key re-read, and we've been threatening the same thing regarding Sandman. Pssst - you may have heard, but Brad's never gotten beyond the first trade paperback. That's gotta change, right? No time like the present.
DC Comics and IDW Publishing have released three covers to keep us on the edge of our anticipation. You got Rodriguez killin' it as always, plus a couple of beauties from Kelley Jones and J.H. Williams III.
LOCKE & KEY/THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE: HELL & GONE #2, On Sale August 31, 2021
Following rave reviews for both the #0 and #1 issues of this fantasy crossover from DC and IDW, the Locke family makes their final journey into the world of The Dreaming in Locke & Key/The Sandman Universe: Hell & Gone #2. This final chapter of this crossover saga will change the way readers see the worlds of The Sandman and Locke & Key for years to come!
To win back her brother’s soul from Hell, Mary Locke has done the unthinkable—she’s seized control of the imprisoned Dream Lord’s artifacts of power and crossed over into his place of power, the Dreaming! Unfortunately, she’s managed to find herself in the middle of a war for the future of the kingdom, led by none other than the monstrous Corinthian. And even if Mary survives her encounter, the road to Hell ends in locked gates guarded by Etrigan the Demon and the all-powerful Lucifer himself!
Of course, the Locke family has always had a knack for making keys…
This 48-page tale of mystery and terror is written by Joe Hill (Locke & Key, Hill House Comics/Basketful of Heads) with interiors and card stock cover by Gabriel Rodriguez (Adventures of Superman). In addition to Rodriguez’ breathtaking cover, two of comics’ most renowned mystery/horror artists, Kelley Jones and J.H. Williams III will also provide card stock variant covers for this must-read issue; all priced at $6.99 each.
Locke & Key/The Sandman Universe: Hell & Gone #2 arrives in comic book stores and on participating digital platforms on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
Both Locke & Key/The Sandman Universe: Hell & Gone #0 and issue #1 are available now at comic book stores and on participating digital platforms. Digital previews of issues #0 and #1 are available at the IDW Publishing website, www.idwpublishing.com.
For the latest information on DC and the World’s Greatest Super Heroes, visit the DC website at www.dccomics.com and follow on @DCComics and @thedcnation on social media.