 The comic contains many references to events and objects in the game . In one comic , Frohman makes a clerical error that causes the Combine to order far too many explosive barrels , thus suggesting an explanation for the barrels ' ubiquity throughout City 17 and beyond . In another , he writes a letter to Dr. Breen asking why using his flashlight reduces his ability to run , a reference to Half @-@ Life 2 's flashlight and sprint functions using the same power source . In a further strip , the town of Ravenholm becomes the headcrab @-@ infested ghost town seen in Half @-@ Life 2 after Frohman writes to Breen expressing his happiness with being there , giving away Ravenholm 's location . Indeed , Frohman causes ( intentionally or accidentally ) many of the disastrous circumstances that Gordon Freeman runs across . He accidentally gives Breen the idea of headcrab shells while on a radio , and sets up all of the traps in Ravenholm himself in an attempt to catch Father Grigori . 
