Half-Life fans rejoice, as we’re excited to be able to announce that the first chapter of the fan-made Half-Life: A Place in the West comic is now available in its entirety online – absolutely free!

Set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2, the ambitious series introduces new characters to the existing universe as the people of earth try to break free from the ravages of Combine occupation. The project is the brainchild of creators Ross Joseph Gardner and Michael Pelletier, and is schedule to run for six parts.

Check out the official press release, as well as some of Heath Heil’s preview artwork, and let us know if you’re planning on checking this one out.

We would like to formally announce Half-Life: A Place in the West, a fan-made Half-Life comic available to read here: http://www.aplaceinthewest.net. Created by Ross Joseph Gardner and Michael Pelletier, and illustrated by Heath Heil and lettered by Rachel Deering, the first issue started releasing toward the end of October, and concluded at the beginning of December. The comic book will total six issues, each of which will clock in at roughly 30-40 pages, telling a wholly original story within the Half-Life mythology.

Our intention from the outset was to stay clear of the established cast of characters and storylines present within the canonical game-world, allowing us to focus on new stories and new characters taking place in locations as yet unexplored by Valve’s releases, whilst staying true to the essence of their universe.

The story follows three people who find themselves drawn, each in their own way, to a strange, half-destroyed American city called Franklin, wherein they find a group of survivors who have paid a terrible price for their freedom. Once inside, they discover a powerful secret, but the city holds many dangers, deceptive temptations, and the promise of a freedom that could restore everything they have lost…

The decision to set the story during the undefined period between Half-Life and Half-Life 2 allowed us to introduce characters still adjusting to an alien-occupied, war-ravaged Earth. There is no organised resistance movement, no iconic liberator of the people, and, at this stage, no possibility of ever breaking loose of the shackles of Combine occupation. The comic will deal with issues of collaboration, human solidarity, parenthood, and offer a glimpse of what the cosmos may offer beyond the malevolent presence of the Combine.

The comic is an urban drama set against the backdrop of a cosmic war, and we hope fans of Half-Life and science-fiction alike will come along for the ride.

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The writer of this piece was: Craig Neilson (aka Ceej)
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