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

H.E.R.B.I.E.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Fantastic Four (1978 series) "A Monster Among Us (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
Team affiliations	Fantastic Four
Abilities	Ability to connect to any computer system Electricity generators Lasers Various hidden tools and features

H.E.R.B.I.E. (Humanoid Experimental Robot, B-type, Integrated Electronics) is a fictional robot and an ally of the Fantastic Four appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was initially conceived for the 1978 Fantastic Four animated series and was integrated into the comics continuity shortly afterwards.

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 movie (which never materialized). A popular urban myth contends that the Torch was replaced due to fears that children might attempt to emulate him by setting themselves on fire, but that is not true.

Needing a fourth member to round out the team, Stan Lee pitched the idea for a cute robot sidekick and artist Dave Cockrum was commissioned to design it. However, Cockrum disliked the character so much he was eventually replaced by Jack Kirby, who first designed and illustrated the Fantastic Four a decade prior. On the Fantastic Four cartoon, H.E.R.B.I.E. was voiced by Frank Welker. Shortly after the cartoon premiered, the little robot was introduced to the comics continuity by writer Marv Wolfman and artist John Byrne. As within the Marvel Universe, the Fantastic Four in the cartoon have marketed their likenesses for a successful in-universe comic series. H.E.R.B.I.E.'s physical appearance was likewise explained as being based on the animated series based on that comic, with the in-universe explanation for H.E.R.B.I.E. being on the team that the Torch was absent when the rest of the team signed the contracts granting permission for their likenesses to be used.

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