| H.E.R.B.I.E. | |
|---|---|
 H.E.R.B.I.E. inThe New Fantastic Four (1978) | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The New Fantastic Four "A Monster Among Us (September 9, 1978)" |
| First comic appearance | Fantastic Four #209 (August 1979) |
| Created by | Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Humanoid Experimental Robot, B-Type, Integrated Electronics |
| Species | Robot |
| Team affiliations | A.I. Army Fantastic Four |
| Abilities | Ability to connect to any computer system Electricity generators Lasers Various hidden tools and features |
H.E.R.B.I.E.[a] is a fictionalrobot appearing in American media featuring theMarvel Comics superhero quartet, theFantastic Four, of which H.E.R.B.I.E. is depicted as a member or supporting character. Created by the creators of Fantastic Four, writerStan Lee and artistJack Kirby, the character was initially conceived for the animated seriesThe New Fantastic Four, where he was voiced byFrank Welker, beginning with its 1978 debut. The character was subsequently integrated into the comics continuity shortly afterwards.
H.E.R.B.I.E. appeared in theMarvel Cinematic Universe filmThe Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), voiced byMatthew Wood.
When the Fantastic Four property was made intoan animated series in 1978, the character of theHuman Torch was not available for use in the cartoon due to having been optioned for a motion picture which never materialized.[1] Needing a fourth member to round out the team,Stan Lee pitched the idea for a cute robot sidekick and artistJack Kirby, who had been hired as a storyboard artist forDePatie–Freleng Enterprises, designed it. This was Kirby's last work for Marvel.[2]
A popular but falseurban myth contends the Human Torch was replaced for the series due to fears children might attempt to emulate him by setting themselves on fire.[1]
In the series, H.E.R.B.I.E. was voiced byFrank Welker. Shortly after the cartoon's premiere, the character was introduced to the comics continuity by writerMarv Wolfman and artistJohn Byrne.
H.E.R.B.I.E. first appeared in comics inFantastic Four #209 (August 1979), adapted from the cartoon character byMarv Wolfman andJohn Byrne.[3]
The character subsequently appears inFantastic Four #210-213 (September–December 1979), #215-217 (February–April 1980), #242 (May 1982), #244 (July 1982),Fantastic Four #3 (March 1998),Marvel Holiday Special (2004),Exiles #72 (January 2006),Fantastic Four #534 (March 2006),X-Men #181 (March 2006),Franklin Richards One Shot (April 2006),X-Men/Runaways #1 (May 2006),The Sensational Spider-Man #25 (June 2006),Fantastic Four: A Death in the Family (July 2006),Franklin Richards: Super Summer Spectacular (September 2006),Franklin Richards: Happy Franksgiving! (January 2007),Franklin Richards: Monster Mash (November 2007),Franklin Richards: Fall Football Fiasco! (January 2008).
H.E.R.B.I.E. received an entry in theAll-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #5 (2006).
He also appeared inAll-New, All-Different Black Knight #1 in 2015, in which he appears as a part of the Black Knight’s sanctuary.
H.E.R.B.I.E. was created byMister Fantastic and Master Xar of theXandarians, who hoped that the robot could aid their search forGalactus, whom they sought for aid in defeating the villain known as theSphinx. It is also revealed that in the comic book continuity, Johnny Storm did not show up to a meeting with a cartoon company, therefore H.E.R.B.I.E. replaced him in a cartoon series based on the Fantastic Four.[4]
What neither of the creators realized, however, was thatDoctor Sun, an enemy of Master Xar who had his consciousness trapped within Xandarian computers, was able to escape by jumping from the computer to H.E.R.B.I.E.'s body. The little robot was his sleeper agent, whom he could control whenever he wished. Although an alien pirate mysteriously died in H.E.R.B.I.E.'s presence, and the villainBlastaar suddenly escaped from theNegative Zone, nobody suspects that H.E.R.B.I.E. was responsible.[5]
After Sun's attempt to assassinate the Fantastic Four with Blastaar failed, Dr. Sun reveals himself at last, trapping theInvisible Woman and theHuman Torch within theBaxter Building's security system and besting Mister Fantastic andThing with H.E.R.B.I.E.'s weapons. He then abandons H.E.R.B.I.E.'s body and transfers his consciousness into the Baxter Building's main computer, which would allow him to control the entire building, and all of the weaponry within. Mister Fantastic locks Sun from the computer system, but H.E.R.B.I.E. realizes that Sun could simply return to his body. Not wanting the villain to cause any more trouble, H.E.R.B.I.E. heroically throws himself into the computer, destroying it, Sun, and himself.[6]
Later, Franklin is shown with another H.E.R.B.I.E robot, that Ben refers to as a 'flying frog'. It is explained that this one had been built partly to keep an eye on Franklin's developing powers. Said powers fluctuate due to Franklin's failure to solve aRubik's Cube and a nearby TV show urging someone to 'grow up'. The resulting power surge destroys H.E.R.B.I.E.[7]
Other H.E.R.B.I.E. robots are eventually built throughout the years, serving general duties around the Baxter Building. InMarvel Knights Fantastic Four, H.E.R.B.I.E. has served as the guardian and companion forFranklin Richards and his sisterValeria.[volume & issue needed]
A mistake leaves the Fantastic Four lost in time and other heroes running the Baxter Building. The H.E.R.B.I.E. robots take on the costumes of Doctor Doom and demand respect. Otherwise they are peaceful.[8] They later reject this clothing and go back to normal duties. Several of the robots take to watching interesting videos online in their downtime.[9]
The design of H.E.R.B.I.E. is displayed in the Smithsonian, near the Spider-Mobile.[10]
After Reed Richards and his wife vanish following the "Secret Wars" storyline, much of Reed's belongings are transferred over to the heroine known asMoon Girl. H.E.R.B.I.E. activates when Galactus shows up. H.E.R.B.I.E. declares he has been a Galactus sensing device all this time.[11]
H.E.R.B.I.E. is among the former Fantastic Four members who were summoned to Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman when they were threatened by the Griever at the End of All Things.[12]
In the one-shotIncoming!,Valeria Von Doom removes H.E.R.B.I.E.'s inhibitor chip, allowing him to express to Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman how much he hates them.[13]
During the "Iron Man 2020" event, H.E.R.B.I.E. appears as a member of theA.I. Army.[14]
During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, H.E.R.B.I.E. was upgraded by Mister Fantastic to pilot a special time machine to head to the event of the big bang in an attempt to get the Fantastic Four repowered. It works, but H.E.R.B.I.E sacrifices himself to send the Fantastic Four back to the present. Mister Fantastic later mentioned to Invisible Woman that he rebuilt H.E.R.B.I.E. with his pre-upgraded memories.[15]
H.E.R.B.I.E. has the ability to connect to any computer system. He also possesses electricity generators and lasers. He also possesses various hidden tools and features
Short for Hyper-Ultronic Brain Employing Randomized Tracings,H.U.B.E.R.T. was created by Mister Fantastic to be Franklin's babysitter.[16] Franklin later unwittingly destroys H.U.B.E.R.T. before Reed builds a replacement.[17][18]
Short forS.H.I.E.L.D. Heuristic Experimental Robot, B-Type, Integrated Electronics,S.H.E.R.B.I.E. is a robot who is S.H.I.E.L.D.'s version of H.E.R.B.I.E.[19]
Modified H.E.R.B.I.E. units from an alternate universe devoid of heroes appear inDeadpool: Killustrated as servants ofDeadpool.[20]
An alternate universe variant of H.E.R.B.I.E. from Earth-6513 appears inFranklin Richards: Son of a Genius. This version isFranklin Richards's nanny.
An alternate universe variant of H.E.R.B.I.E. appears inMarvel Adventures Power Pack. This version is thePower Pack's nanny.[volume & issue needed]
An alternate universe variant of H.E.R.B.I.E. from Earth-2301 appears inMarvel Mangaverse. This version is theBaxter Building's security system.[volume & issue needed]
Several H.E.R.B.I.E. units from Earth-2149 appear inMarvel Zombies. These versions serve as security for the abandoned Baxter Building.[21]
A possible future variant of H.E.R.B.I.E. appears inOld Man Quill. This version survived in the Baxter Building's wreckage for 55 years.[22]
Several H.E.R.B.I.E. units from Earth-1610 appear inUltimate Fantastic Four. These versions come in small, hovering models and large mechs that serve as guards.[23]
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