The Walking Dead, Volume 12: Life Among Them by Robert Kirkman

Book Details
The Walking Dead, Volume 12: Life Among Them by Robert Kirkman
Paperback, 144 Pages
2010, Image Comics
ISBN: 1607062542
Series: Book 12 of The Walking Dead

Synopsis
At long last, the survivors of Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard's acclaimed post-apocalyptic survival adventure find the hope they've longed look for. Can a town not yet ravaged by the horrors unleashed on Earth possibly be all it's hoped for? Is there a far more sinister secret behind their newfound safe haven? Even worse, can people forever changed by the worst in humanity ever hope to get back to their old selves? The next chapter of The Walking Dead is primed to change everything!

Review
Life Among Them continues The Walking Dead series nicely. It isn't quite as epic as Fear the Hunters and I'm a bit skeptical as to where the plot seems to be headed this time, but all in all, it's a very good volume. A couple of surprise moments add to the intrigue of Life Among Them. Actually, intrigue is a good word to describe much of the theme of the volume as a whole.

Life Among Them has the best first page ever, especially in its seeming relation to the last page of Fear the Hunters. We quickly discover it has nothing to do with Carl's last revelation, but in one word it does epitomize the survivors current situation. Soon after, we learn Eugene's many secrets. Who is he really? I loved this and what it means to the group and their plans.

Much of Life Among Them seems to be setting up for future plot lines. The survivors find what they believe to be a safe community. It's reminiscent (vaguely, probably mostly in setting alone) of what they came across before finding the prison, this time populated with real live people. The question becomes - how real are they exactly?

Many of the survivors find the entire situation uneasy and that seeps through to the reader quickly. Something feels off in this little town. Is the coming turmoil (because you know its not going to work out) going to be because of the community or because of the survivors suspicious nature?

A few zombie fights, but Life Among Them is less action and more explanation. We learn about these new people and how their town works. We see the growing doubt coming from the survivors. It's got to be setting up for something, right? If not, these volumes are going to get boring quickly.

Rating