Concerned: The Half-Life and Death of Gordon​ Frohman

by Christopher C. Livingston

In Half-Life 2, the player takes on the role of Dr. Gordon Freeman. Throughout the game, the player follows the story of a dark, dystopian future in which mankind has been enslaved by the Combine, a mysterious alien enemy. In contrast, Concerned follows the same general path through the story established by Half-Life 2, but instead follows the adventures of Gordon Frohman, a hapless, lethally clumsy oaf who arrives in City 17 a few weeks before Freeman. Frohman is incredibly naïve and, unlike the other citizens, seems to enjoy living under the rule of the totalitarian administrator, Dr. Breen, and the Combine. He holds an insane reverence for the latter, even going to the point of having a plush doll of a Combine soldier.

204 pages, ebook

Published November 6, 2006

Reviews

[clarice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this every few years. Hands down, this is the funniest thing I've ever read (and I read quite a bit of comedy). Eyes-watering, can't-breathe hilarious.

[Graham Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this in high school at some point after finishing one of my favorite games Half Life 2 (plus Episodes 1 and 2) and was in need for more Half Life while waiting for Episode 3 (HA!).
Ultimately I think reading it revealed I was more of a casual Half Life fan than I thought as some of the jokes/references didn't land with me enough for me to appreciate them. Still there were some that did and I was chuckling every now and then. Having reread more recently it did end up being a nice bit of nostalgia to keep my spirits up during COVID lockdowns. Overall if you love Half Life, this is a good webcomic to check out.