Who Is H.E.R.B.I.E.? Origin, Powers and Key Facts

H.E.R.B.I.E. is a Marvel comic book character, the alter ego of Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics, with over 296 comic issue appearances. Originally a replacement for the Human Torch in the 1978 Fantastic Four animated series. H.E.R.B.I.E. often provided comic relief with interactions with the Thing. He has since become an indispensable part of the Fantastic Four in the comics.

Who is H.E.R.B.I.E.?

Origin H.E.R.B.I.E. While on the planet Xandar on a mission to defeat the super-villain known as the Sphinx , Mister Fantastic and Master Xar needed a means to speed up their calculations. The pair co-created a robotic assistant which was the Humanoid Experimental Robot, B-Type Integrated Electronics or H.E.R.B.I.E. was born! Creation In 1978, when the Fantastic Four was being made into an animated series, the character of the Human Torch was unavailable. Though a popular urban myth contends that the Human Torch was replaced out of fear that children might have attempted to emulate him by setting themselves on fire, the reality was that the Human Torch was one of the characters that Marvel had licensed to Universal Studios for a solo film (which never materialized). Universal was unwilling to allow NBC to use the Human Torch in the show, so that a replacement was needed. 1978 Fantastic Four Cartoon Needing a fourth member to round out the team, Stan Lee pitched the idea of a comedic robot sidekick. Artist Dave Cockrum was originally commissioned to design it, but disliked the character so much he was replaced by Jack Kirby who created the appearance of H.E.R.B.I.E.

Key facts

H.E.R.B.I.E. is of robot origin and first appeared in "Trapped in the Sargasso of Space!". The character is published by Marvel. With 296 recorded issue appearances, H.E.R.B.I.E. ranks among the most featured characters in comics.