Anthony Lockwood: Rivals and Adversaries in the Supernatural World
Lockwood & Co. might be London’s most unconventional psychic agency, but Anthony Lockwood’s rise to prominence hasn’t been without fierce opposition. In a city where supernatural threats and government contracts fuel cutthroat competition, his adversaries range from cunning corporate rivals to personal enemies with vendettas. Let’s explore the forces that challenge Lockwood’s dominance.

Who is Anthony Lockwood’s most formidable rival in the psychic agency world?

George Cubitt, founder of the Cubitt Agency, stands out as Lockwood’s sharpest competitor. Unlike Lockwood’s scrappy, independent operation, Cubitt’s agency thrives on corporate backing and a reputation for ruthlessness. Cubitt himself is a master strategist who sees clients as assets and has no qualms about bending ethical lines—like using ghost-touched artifacts to manipulate investigations. Their clashes often hinge on Lockwood’s idealism versus Cubitt’s pragmatism, with both men vying for high-profile cases that could cement their legacies.

How did Lockwood’s conflict with the Fittes Agency escalate beyond professional rivalry?

The Fittes Agency, London’s largest, became more than just a business threat when Lockwood crossed paths with Lucy Carlyle, its top agent. Their initial animosity—born from a botched case involving a cursed painting—morphed into a grudging respect, but tensions simmer. Fittes’ corporate might and government ties often put them at odds, especially when Lockwood’s investigations expose corruption within Fittes’ ranks. Lucy’s ambiguous loyalties and Lockwood’s reckless pursuit of truth create a volatile dynamic, blurring lines between professional and deeply personal stakes.

What role does the government play in the rivalries among psychic agencies?

The British government acts as both referee and provocateur. By offering lucrative contracts to contain supernatural outbreaks, they pit agencies against each other in a bidding war where only the most daring—or unscrupulous—survive. Lockwood’s refusal to play political games often puts him at a disadvantage, forcing him to rely on ingenuity over influence. Meanwhile, agencies like Fittes and Cubitt exploit bureaucratic loopholes to sabotage rivals, turning bureaucratic red tape into a weaponized art form.

Are there any personal vendettas among Lockwood’s adversaries?

Philip Cross, an agent from the defunct Portland Agency, harbors a bitter grudge. After Lockwood’s investigation implicated Portland in a deadly cover-up involving a haunted artifact, Cross vowed revenge. This vendetta nearly cost Lockwood his life during a confrontation in Whitby, where Cross attempted to frame him for murder. Such personal feuds highlight how Lockwood’s moral code—exposing corruption at any cost—creates enemies as dangerous as the ghosts he hunts.

How do these rivalries impact Lockwood’s approach to solving supernatural cases?

Adversaries like Cubitt and Cross force Lockwood to innovate. Without Fittes’ resources or Cubitt’s corporate muscle, he leans on his team’s loyalty and unorthodox methods, like using ghost-seeing charms in creative ways. Rivalries also sharpen his resolve; every case becomes a proving ground to prove that integrity can coexist with survival. Yet, the constant pressure strains his relationships, especially with Lucy Carlyle, whose dual role as ally and rival keeps Lockwood questioning where his true loyalties lie.

Chatting with Lockwood reveals how these adversaries shape his worldview. He’ll admit that every rival has taught him something—even Cubitt’s ruthlessness has its place when dealing with London’s darkest threats. To understand how these conflicts forge his strategies, try talking to him yourself.