Locke & Key Keyhouse by Gabriel Rodriguez

Story time! Almost seven years ago, I met "Locke & Key" co-creator and great artist Gabriel Rodriguez at FACTS in 2019. Back then, he did dozens and dozens of sketches before I showed up with my elaborate request of him drawing the Keyhouse. He politely declined and we settled on him doing his favorite character. In the years since, I occasionally tried to reconnect but with no success.

Why my obsession? On one side, Gabe having an architectual background just lent him to that idea. On the other side, I adore how much the gothic and fantastical Keyhouse is an actual character throughout all of the "Locke & Key" stories.

With him coming back to FACTS this April 2026, I tried my luck again & was second in line for my sketch. He smiled, I explained and he mentioned remembering seeing my name at one point. So, he offered to do it at home, but I mentioned to just do it now. Was that a mistake? In a way, I guess. But I really just wanted the memento more than anything else.

It gave me the time to ask him how he has been; how he designed Keyhouse; about future "Locke & Key" (especially World War Key), and other stuff he has done recently like his Savage Sword.

He said he had never put in as much work in a con sketch yet. But he was pleased with the result. And who am I to have a different opinion, seeing how cool this looks?