Skeleton Key (comics)
Encyclopedia
Skeleton Key is the title of a comic book
by British
author Andi Watson
. It was published beginning in 1995
by Slave Labor Graphics
and was Watson's first monthly comic. Skeleton Key ran for 30 issues and a number of supplemental stories and was generally well-received. The 30 issues were subsequently collected in five volumes.
, who discovers the magical skeleton key that lends the series its title. This key can fit any door, and it "unlocks" pathways to other dimensions. While exploring these alternate worlds, she encounters the second protagonist, Kitsune, a Japanese fox spirit
. The earlier volumes in the series deal primarily with the adventures of the pair in these alternate worlds, while in the later volumes, the fantasy
elements become less prominent and the drama and romance of coming-of-age stories takes center stage.
based on the series was considered as part of Nickelodeon
's Nicktoons
line. The animated series was to be produced by Sunbow Entertainment, and an initial run of 13 episodes was ordered. However, the series was cancelled by Nickelodeon.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
by British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
author Andi Watson
Andi Watson
Andrew "Andi" Watson is a British cartoonist and illustrator best known for the graphic novels Breakfast After Noon, Slow News Day and his series Love Fights, published by Oni Press and Slave Labor Graphics....
. It was published beginning in 1995
1995 in comics
-January:*After Xavier: The Age of Apocalypse is launched. All X-titles change to different names for the next four months.* Thor marks his 400th appearance in Marvel Comics with issue #482....
by Slave Labor Graphics
Slave Labor Graphics
Slave Labor Graphics is an independent American comic book publisher, well-known for publishing darkly humorous, offbeat comics.-Company history:...
and was Watson's first monthly comic. Skeleton Key ran for 30 issues and a number of supplemental stories and was generally well-received. The 30 issues were subsequently collected in five volumes.
Comic
Skeleton Key featured detailed black and white art. Its plot centered around two young women. The first protagonist is Tamsin, a high-school student living in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, who discovers the magical skeleton key that lends the series its title. This key can fit any door, and it "unlocks" pathways to other dimensions. While exploring these alternate worlds, she encounters the second protagonist, Kitsune, a Japanese fox spirit
Kitsune
is the Japanese word for fox. Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore; in English, kitsune refers to them in this context. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom. Foremost among these is the ability to assume...
. The earlier volumes in the series deal primarily with the adventures of the pair in these alternate worlds, while in the later volumes, the fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
elements become less prominent and the drama and romance of coming-of-age stories takes center stage.
Cartoon
A cartoonAnimated cartoon
An animated cartoon is a short, hand-drawn film for the cinema, television or computer screen, featuring some kind of story or plot...
based on the series was considered as part of Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
's Nicktoons
Nicktoons
Nicktoons are animated television shows that are produced by and aired on the children's television channel Nickelodeon. Prior to 1991, Nickelodeon aired mostly foreign made animated series. The idea for Nicktoons was formed in 1989 and on Sunday, August 11, 1991, the first Nicktoon, Doug, was...
line. The animated series was to be produced by Sunbow Entertainment, and an initial run of 13 episodes was ordered. However, the series was cancelled by Nickelodeon.
Collected editions
- Skeleton Key, Vol. 1: Beyond the Threshold (ISBN 0-943151-12-0)
- Skeleton Key, Vol. 2: The Celestial Calendar (ISBN 0-943151-15-5)
- Skeleton Key, Vol. 3: Telling Tales (ISBN 0-943151-13-9)
- Skeleton Key, Vol. 4: Cats and Dogs (ISBN 0-943151-19-8)
- Skeleton Key, Vol. 5: Roots (ISBN 0-943151-26-0)
- Skeleton Key Special collected short stories and mini-comics
- Kitsune Tales one-shot, with writer Woodrow PhoenixWoodrow PhoenixWoodrow Phoenix is a British comics artist, writer, editorial illustrator, graphic designer, font designer and author of children's books.He was a contributor to a number of British comics magazines including Escape, Blaaam! and Blast! and was part of the British small press comics scene in the...
(ISBN 0-943151-79-1) - Skeleton Key/Sugar Kat Special crossover with Ian CarneyIan CarneyIan Carney is a British comics writer. Born in Liverpool, Merseyside on 11 September 1962, carney began writing comics in the 80s for Fleetway Editions in the UK and First Comics and Dark Horse Comics in the US...
and Woodrow Phoenix's Where's It At, Sugar Kat?Where's It At, Sugar Kat?Where's it at Sugar Kat? is a humorous action comic book series created by Woodrow Phoenix and Ian Carney, published by Slave Labor Graphics. Sugar Kat is a supermodel and the most popular girl in the world. Rebecca is Sugar's brainy twin sister... - Skeleton Key Missive Device a book of mini-comics in postcardPostcardA postcard or post card is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope....
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