Has Concerned's Gordon Frohman lost all his HP?
by Ross Miller 
{ Nov 1st 2006 at 12:14PM }
Is Frohman dead? After 204 issues spanning just under 18 months, has Concerned told its last tale? The webcomic's forums are alive with debate on its finality, and a video game protagonist never truly dies (just return to the most recent save). The main website still claims he will update "every Tuesday and Thursday," so maybe Epilogue #2 will show up tomorrow.
Thanks to Chris Livingston for a hilarious comic. Be sure to sift through the archives if you have a chance.
[Thanks, Epic]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kye @ Nov 1st 2006 12:44PM
Im a loyal follower of Concerned...
(and often dissapointed with Joystiq for not including it in the weekly webcomic wrap-up)
... and was shocked and confused at the apparent ending. Sad in a way. Disappointed definitely.
I hope it really doesn't end like this. It still had so much potential.
Should we post a petition or something?
All the Joystiqers (thats my term, make sure you remember who made it up) out there who love this webcomic lets all chant "FROHMAN!" in unison!
FROHMAN! FROHMAN! FROHMAN!...
Joystiq, you know who to forward this link to.
Ross Miller @ Nov 1st 2006 12:49PM
Kye --
Yep, I take full responsibility for not using Concerned as much as I should have. In the beginning of the webcomic wrapup, for at least its first 5-7 months (its only been around for about a year), I was consistent with my Concerned reading. Then other things got in the way and I kept forgetting about it :(. I can only blame myself for such treason.
That said,
FROHMAN! FROHMAN! FROHMAN!
(ahh, it feels so good)
Frowelishnu @ Nov 1st 2006 12:51PM
Love Concerned!
But it's time to let Frohman pass on and time to let Chris have a break.
I think it really is the end, in the notes for Tuesday's comic Chris says there will be one final comic (probably on Monday).
Sad to see it go, glad to have been a fan.
I'm getting all weepy.
Spencer @ Nov 1st 2006 1:36PM
I have also been an avid fan of Concerned almost since its inception, and I'm sad to see it go, though I understand that it has taken a significant investment of time for Chris to get the comic out as often as he has, and he said from the start that it would come to an end eventually. It's been a fantastic ride though.
As to the speculation that the comic isn't really over, I'm inclined to believe that Chris really is finished. The notes from this last comic pretty much put any chance of reviving Frohman to rest:
"Hey, thought I'd go out the way I came in -- ragging on Valve for constantly missing their deadlines. It's the mother of all callbacks and I'm sure no one is suprised.
Remember, it's not over until it's over. And it's over. For real!
Sort of. I have something I'm planning to put up next week, probably Monday, just sort of a credits/thank-you page thing. So, come back next week and have a look for that. I'm also going to be firing up the Extras page again starting next week, since I've been neglecting it so much. There won't be anything really major, but some odds and ends are sure to show up.
Whew. That was, like, a year and a half of my life doing that comic! That's pretty crazy if you think about it. Anyway, it's definitely very strange that I'm done. There were times it felt like I'd never finish and times it seemed like I was whizzing toward the end at light-speed.
At any rate, thanks to everyone out there who took the time to read the comic, everyone who sent e-mail, donations -- pretty much thanks to everyone who took a couple minutes out of their day a couple times a week to have a look at my little HL2 comic. I really appreciate the support.
I think I'll have some more to say once it sinks in that the comic is done -- plus, it's late and I'm pretty bushed. Check back Monday."
Forrest @ Nov 1st 2006 2:07PM
If he could resolve the legal issues, or even partner with Valve, I think it would be great if he could publish this.
It's a shame really. I got the impression from reading his notes along the way that it was tough consistently putting out the comic along side his job and real life obligations. His work was great, and it's too bad that he couldn't make a living off of it. Personally, I think Valve should hire or support him, much like Bungie/MS did with the Rooster Tooth guys and R vs. B.
ScreamingSkull @ Nov 1st 2006 2:16PM
wow, never heard of this for some reason.
Kritz @ Nov 1st 2006 3:02PM
That was probably the meanest possible way for him to end that comic.
Suppose it wouldn't be the "Half life and death" without the death of frohman, though.
>> Kritz
Wulkar @ Nov 1st 2006 3:40PM
i love concerned and i am sad to see that it is ending.
Phillip @ Nov 1st 2006 3:34PM
That comic was awesome. It was something I always looked forward to reading.
Fare thee well, Gordon Frohman.
It does seem kind of strange to me though that Chris killed Breen when I don't think we have any proof that Breen is dead.
spinn @ Nov 1st 2006 4:41PM
Yes, Frohman is really, really, really dead. Really, and actually, dead. Actually, really dead.
I guess I can understand the frustration, I remember Danny DeVito saying how people kept asking him, while filming War of the Roses, if he was keeping the ending the same. Yes, he'd tell them, yes I am.
But yeah, Frohman is dead.
Pattmyn @ Nov 1st 2006 4:43PM
Concerned's a bloody riot, Im sorry to see it go. Just to edit Joystiq's remarks to watch on Thursday, don't. Check Monday! This is taken from the notes of the last comic.
"Remember, it's not over until it's over. And it's over. For real!
Sort of. I have something I'm planning to put up next week, probably Monday, just sort of a credits/thank-you page thing. So, come back next week and have a look for that. I'm also going to be firing up the Extras page again starting next week, since I've been neglecting it so much. There won't be anything really major, but some odds and ends are sure to show up."
Matt Dusza @ Nov 1st 2006 5:57PM
ill never forget the time he got transported to Counter Strike. Then when he got Transported to CS: the lost server, and messed that up. I dont think i laughed harder at any part of the comic when i 1st saw the "You got Frowned!" Spray he used:P!
-Majin- @ Nov 6th 2006 12:52PM
it's sad to see it end, i've only discovered the comic wen the website VGcats linked to it, and i totaly loved it.
this comic also pushed me into getting half-life 2, and i'm realy thankfull for that.
farwell, gordon frohman.
may you rest in peace...on breen.
Ricardo Segovia @ Nov 8th 2006 10:51AM
It's a shame Concerned ends. I've been reading it for 2 - 3 weeks (thanks to VGCats) and followed every update of it. I cracked my sides laughing with Frohman's adventures, and YES, i'm very sad it all came to a very... dissapointing end. Hope the webartist starts working on EP2 sometime in the future, he would have 1 faithful reader HERE, with Frohman in his heart...
Frohman, you were something else... you made me happy of ever finding this website (hlcomic.com) and hope you come back with full honors.
Osito2Dancer
Krails @ Nov 8th 2006 10:15AM
My salute to bothe Concerned and it's creator. Although I only joined the bandwagon around 20 strips before the end, I can say I am a hardcore fan of the work. And Valve has this comic to thank for getting me interested in the Half-Life series enough to actualy go out and buy the games.
In Loving Memory of Gordon Frohman - The man may die, but his stupidity lives on in all of us. Rest in peace, buddy.
Joachim Serquiña @ Nov 8th 2006 3:26PM
Poor ol' Gordon, didn't even squeak past Christmas, much less Episode 2.
And let's not forget Chris' gut-busting interpretations of HL2's characters; I personally rank G-Man - G-Men! - as second only to Frohman in terms of funnery
Mucho thanks to Chris Livingston for giving us Gordon Frohman, who was (and is) arguably the most hilarious take on any videogame character. Ever.
Frohman, you, your shovel, your Claw and all your dreams of Combine-dom shall be missed. ;_;
gordon freakman @ Dec 21st 2006 5:33PM
stale? of course most bloggers have something to say against another thing that is much better.
i wish it didn't end so quickly.. maybe there'll be another travisty to come and we'll have another year and a half of fun half life parody.
screw you hippy! i love gordon frohman! FROHMAN! FROHMAN!