H.E.R.B.I.E.

When the Fantastic Four property was made into an animated series in 1978, the character of the Human Torch was unable to be used as, at the time, the character had been optioned separately for use in a solo film (which never materialized).^[1] A popular, but false urban myth contends that the character was replaced due to fears that children might attempt to emulate him by setting themselves on fire.^[1]

Needing a fourth member to round out the team, Stan Lee pitched the idea for a cute robot sidekick and artist Jack Kirby, who had been hired as a storyboard artist for DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, designed it. This was Kirby's last work for Marvel.^[2]

In the series, H.E.R.B.I.E. was voiced by Frank Welker. Shortly after its premiere, the character was introduced to the comics continuity by writer Marv Wolfman and artist John Byrne.

H.E.R.B.I.E. first appeared in comics in Fantastic Four #209 (August 1979), and was adapted from the cartoon character by Marv Wolfman and John Byrne.^[3]

The character subsequently appears in Fantastic 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 the All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #5 (2006).

He also appeared in All-New, All-Different Black Knight #1 in 2015.^{[citation needed]} He appears as a part of the Black Knight’s sanctuary.

H.E.R.B.I.E. was created by Mister Fantastic and Master Xar of the Xandarians, who hoped that the robot could aid their search for Galactus, whom they sought for aid in defeating the villain known as the Sphinx.^[4]

What neither of the creators realized, however, was that Doctor 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 villain Blastaar suddenly escaped from the Negative 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 the Invisible Woman and the Human Torch within the Baxter Building's security system and besting Mister Fantastic and Thing 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 is able to lock Dr. Sun away from the rest of the computer system, but H.E.R.B.I.E., now himself again, realizes that Dr. Sun could always simply return to his body. Not wanting the villain to cause any more trouble, the little robot heroically throws himself into the computer, destroying it, Dr. 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 a Rubik'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. In Marvel Knights Fantastic Four, H.E.R.B.I.E. has served as the guardian and companion for young Franklin Richards and his sister Valeria.^{[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 as Moon 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. 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.^[11]

H.E.R.B.I.E. is among the former Fantastic Four members that 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-shot Incoming!, Valeria Von Doom removes H.E.R.B.I.E.'s inhibitor chip and language censor, allowing him to finally 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 the A.I. Army.^{[14][15][16][17][18][19]}

Short for Hyper-Ultronic Brain Employing Randomized Tracings, H.U.B.E.R.T. was created by Mister Fantastic to be Franklin's babysitter.^[20] Franklin later destroys H.U.B.E.R.T. before Reed builds a replacement.^[21][22]

Short for S.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.^[23]

In an alternate universe devoid of heroes, Deadpool uses modified H.E.R.B.I.E. units to murder his allies, supervillains who have pointed the way to murdering all fictional beings. The units offer backrubs but instead use sawblades.^[24]

In the humorous, out-of-continuity series Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius (Earth-6513), H.E.R.B.I.E. is portrayed as Franklin Richards's nanny.

In the retelling of the Power Pack origins, set in the Marvel Adventures continuum, H.E.R.B.I.E. is portrayed in a role similar to his Son of a Genius one, acting essentially as a nanny and a "big brother" friend to Franklin and his superpowered friends.^{[volume & issue needed]}

In Marvel Mangaverse (Earth-2301), H.E.R.B.I.E. is the entirety of the security system for the Baxter Building. It has small, familiar flying units as extensions of its computer core. The Watcher activates it as a way to gain the team's attention.^{[volume & issue needed]}

In Marvel Zombies (Earth-2149), several active H.E.R.B.I.E. robots appear as security for the abandoned Baxter Building.^[25]

A H.E.R.B.I.E. unit survives in the wreckage of the Baxter Building for fifty-five years. This is part of a planned loop by Peter Quill's future self to gain equipment and time needed to save lives. H.E.R.B.I.E.'s interactions with the past and the future, including himself, allow Peter's plan to succeed, removing various threats from both time periods.^[26]

In the setting of Marvel's Ultimate comics (Earth-1610), versions of H.E.R.B.I.E. appear as small, hovering helper robots, as well as larger mech-like guard drones.^[27]

• H.E.R.B.I.E. appears in The New Fantastic Four, voiced by Frank Welker.^[28]
• Two parodies of H.E.R.B.I.E., H.E.L.P.eR. and H.U.G.G.I.E., appear in The Venture Bros..
• H.E.R.B.I.E. appears in Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes, voiced by Sam Vincent.^[29] This version is a supercomputer who monitors Mister Fantastic's lab.
• H.E.R.B.I.E. appears in The Super Hero Squad Show, voiced by Tara Strong.^[30][29]
• H.E.R.B.I.E. makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes episode "The Kang Dynasty".^{[citation needed]}
• H.E.R.B.I.E. makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the Ultimate Spider-Man episode "Venom".^{[citation needed]}
• H.E.R.B.I.E. appears in Spidey and His Amazing Friends, voiced by Tim Dadabo.^[31]

• A deactivated H.E.R.B.I.E. makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the extended cut of Fantastic Four (2005).^[32]
• H.E.R.B.I.E. will appear in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.^[33]

• H.E.R.B.I.E. appears in Marvel Heroes.^{[citation needed]}
• H.E.R.B.I.E appears in Fantastic Four (2011).^[34]
• H.E.R.B.I.E. appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes,^[35] voiced again by Tara Strong.^[36]

• H.E.R.B.I.E. at Marvel.