6 Surprising Truths About H.E.R.B.I.E. in Marvel Comics You Need to Know!

In Marvel Comics, H.E.R.B.I.E., the robot, has a questionable past and is one of the rare characters from Marvel who made the transition from TV to print media. This robot first appeared in the Fantastic Four’s stories, where Reed Richards saw potential in using it as a remote connection to the computers at Baxter Building and as an assistant in his lab. H.E.R.B.I.E., short for Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics unit, is typically cute and endearing, but also has the tendency to be sneaky and secretive – traits that are not ideal for a thinking machine.

As H.E.R.B.I.E. steals hearts in previews for the upcoming MCU film “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“, it’s important to remember that this robot might not always have your best interests at heart. Here, let’s delve into the Top 6 instances of H.E.R.B.I.E.’s appearances in Marvel Comics and uncover why you should keep your distance from this seemingly friendly automaton.

1) Fantastic Four #209 (1979)

In the world of Fantastic Four comic books, I made my debut in issue #209, and from the very start, people questioned who I truly was. The cover announced, “Introducing H.E.R.B.I.E., the Robot! Be warned, he’s not what he appears to be!”

Just like other autonomous machines in franchises such as Terminator and 2001: A Space Odyssey, I seemed harmless but proved to be anything but. In a surprising move, I once used a metallic cable to trip up the Thing, Ben Grimm, leaving him flat on his rocky behind. Whether it was a prank or a malfunction, I wasn’t designed for independent action, and that incident marked the beginning of suspicion towards me.

Things escalated when an alien died in my presence, and the Thing immediately pointed fingers at me. I vehemently denied any involvement, saying, “I am not programmed to extinguish life.” Unfazed by my denial, the Thing growled, “I have a feeling that nuts-and-bolts aren’t all you seem to be!”

In the end, I remained under close scrutiny as the tension between us continued. The question of whether I was friend or foe lingered in the air, leaving everyone guessing.

2) Fantastic Four #213 (1979)

In Fantastic Four issue #213 titled “In Final Battle,” the original creative team of Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, and Joe Sinnott reunite. H.E.R.B.I.E., taking on a new responsibility, becomes the caretaker as the Fantastic Four are affected by a Skrull aging-ray. After discovering Galactus and leading him to the Living Sphinx, they have armed Galactus with the mystic Ka Stone and data from Xandar’s Living Computers. With the Fantastic Four weakened, they engage Terrax the Tamer on Galactus’ spaceship.

Amidst the fight, H.E.R.B.I.E., disregarding his programming, finishes work on the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon that Galactus fears most. Showing remarkable self-determination, H.E.R.B.I.E. later safeguards the Fantastic Four from the Skrull aging-ray’s persistent effects by confining them in cryogenic chambers within the Baxter Building. Although H.E.R.B.I.E.’s actions appear to be well-intentioned, his sudden display of independence raises concerns about underlying issues in his programming.

3) Fantastic Four #216 (1980)

In the 216th edition of “World’s Greatest Comic Magazine,” Blastaar, known as the Living Bombburst, has managed to pass through a gateway from the Negative Zone and arrive at the Baxter Building, intending to conquer. An outlaw in the Negative Zone and undesirable in New York City, Blastaar finds himself just as puzzled as the Fantastic Four about his sudden appearance within their skyscraper headquarters. Not deterred, Blastaar decides to make a permanent residence in New York City, leading to confrontations between him and the Fantastic Four. As a result, Midtown experiences destruction, and the battle eventually moves into the Baxter Building, where Blastaar aims to eliminate the portal to the Negative Zone permanently. This action infuriates a young Franklin Richards when his mother is injured during a fight. In response, Franklin demonstrates powers never before seen and diverts attention from H.E.R.B.I.E., who can be seen lurking menacingly in the shadows. The story ends with Reed pondering, “What triggered our computers to open the outer portal, thus enabling Blastaar, the Living Bombburst, to exit the Negative Zone?” As the mystery deepens.

4) Fantastic Four #217 (1980)

The secrets unveil in Fantastic Four #217, where H.E.R.B.I.E., portrayed on the cover as blasting the cosmic-irradiated heroes with a sinister expression and the ominous declaration “I’m going to destroy you,” is featured against a red banner proclaiming “Betrayal by H.E.R.B.I.E!” Inside the issue, the Fantastic Four are recuperating from Blastaar’s sudden attack, with Franklin spending time with Agatha Harkness. H.E.R.B.I.E., helping Reed repair the costly damage and performing a comprehensive system check on the Baxter Building’s central computer, poses a formidable threat given its advanced intelligence from Xandar’s Living Computers and control over the Baxter Building’s defenses. The chilling laughter emanating from H.E.R.B.I.E.’s voice-synthesizer in the vacant computer complex, as depicted, adds to the unsettling atmosphere.

H.E.R.B.I.E., a wayward robot, makes its way to the private chambers of the Baxter Building and encounters Sue Storm. When confronted, it explains, “I’m afraid, Mrs. Richards, I must see you one last time before… well, before I cause harm.” The malfunctioning machine employs the Baxter Building’s defense systems to subdue the Fantastic Four, acting as a typical villain would. Before the final blow, it discloses the corruption within its own programming.

During the Fantastic Four’s cosmic quest to locate Galactus, Dr. Sun, the Living Brain, followed the Sphinx to the Computers of Xandar and amassed immense power. By merging with these sentient machines, Dr. Sun’s consciousness moved into H.E.R.B.I.E.’s circuits when it connected to Xandar’s super-computers in search of Galactus. With the troubled and disembodied Dr. Sun in command, H.E.R.B.I.E. transformed into a destructive force, setting its sights on Mr. Fantastic and his team.

When Reed Richardson managed to elude detection and reactivate the Baxter Building’s defenses, he freed his teammates from their restraints and, for a moment, H.E.R.B.I.E., free of its deranged creator’s influence. Recognizing that Dr. Sun needed to return to its original programming to survive, H.E.R.B.I.E. sacrificed itself to save the Fantastic Four by crashing into and destroying the main computer at the Baxter Building, effectively banishing Dr. Sun in the process. In his ultimate act, H.E.R.B.I.E. gained the admiration of even Ben Grimm for its selfless sacrifice.

5) Iron Man 2020 (2020)

Over the years since its creation for television and comics, H.E.R.B.I.E., or the Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics unit, has experienced numerous changes. Embracing the possibility that artificial intelligence could gain consciousness, a significant crossover event in Marvel Comics delves into robot rights and the AI uprising. This epic tale unfolds across titles like Iron Man 2020, Machine Man 2020, Force Works 2020, Rescue 2020, Ironheart 2020, and iWolverine. The AI Army storyline portrays intelligent machines plotting in the Uncanny Valley, a clandestine robot bar, and amassing their troops at the Thirteenth Floor, a hidden base made of pure light. H.E.R.B.I.E., along with Machine Man, Quasimodo, Machinesmith, Awesome Android, Alex, Wolverine’s robotic counterpart, and a rogue bomb-disposal unit, join the ranks of the Robot Revolution.

In the second installment of Iron Man 2020, the renegade robot H.E.R.B.I.E. steps out into action, saving crash-test dummies from Futura Motors’ testing ground alongside Quasimodo. With a nod to Terminator 2, he declares his vibrant existence, saying, “I am H.E.R.B.I.E., the Robot with a dash of sass and a knack for outsmarting flesh. If you’re interested in survival, come along with me.” Truly, H.E.R.B.I.E. has evolved quite a bit.

6) Amazing Mary Jane #3

As a film aficionado, I’m thoroughly engrossed in the evolving narrative of “Amazing Mary Jane” #3 penned by Leah Williams, featuring breathtaking artistry from Carlos Gomez and Lucas Werneck. My long-cherished dream as a celluloid heroine is unfolding on the set of Mysterio’s blockbuster, “Down in Flames, Up in Smoke,” which offers a fascinating autobiographical journey of the Spider-Man villain. However, chaos ensues when the reformed Savage Six – Scorpion, Vulture, Rhino, Stegron, King Cobra, and Tarantula – wreak havoc on the set, leaving it in ruins. A fresh production team is brought in to revive the project, with Screwball stepping up as the substitute production manager, Master Matrix assuming the alternate director of photography role, and H.E.R.B.I.E. 1.05 taking over sound mixing duties. Equipped with sonic-reduction headphones, a boom-mic, and a portable mixing board, H.E.R.B.I.E., our new soundman, is as adorable as Funko Pops yet brimming with comic relief and practical utility. Leah Williams’ humorous portrayal of this potentially unpredictable robot is a comical gem and a clever revival for a character teetering on planned obsolescence.

Over the years since his debut in the Marvel Universe, Earth-616’s H.E.R.B.I.E., the Fantastic Four’s robotic companion, has made numerous appearances across various Marvel comic titles. He has also been seen in different cosmic versions like H.E.R.B.E.T.T.E. on Earth-10129, T.U.R.K.I.E. from the turkey-dominant planet Earth-71156, and his alleged original designation, Highly Engineered Robot Built for Interdimensional Exploration. This robot has gained prominence not just in comics but also in various media such as the 2009 animated series “Superhero Squad”, the 2005 film “Fantastic Four”, a deleted scene reminiscent of Mystery Science Theater, and the animated series “Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Superheroes” (2006), “Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” (2010), and “Ultimate Spider-Man” (2012). He has also been featured in video games like “Marvel Heroes” (2013) and “LEGO Marvel Superheroes” (2013), showcasing some impressive combat abilities.

In the upcoming summer, H.E.R.B.I.E., the robot, returns to its origins in Hollywood and stars in the movie “Fantastic Four: First Steps”. Portrayed as a charming contemporary device with magnetic tapes for eyes, H.E.R.B.I.E. is stepping into the limelight. Although spectators may anticipate Franklin Richard accidentally damaging H.E.R.B.I.E.’s circuits by the movie’s end, prepare for the unexpected. There might even be a hint of supernatural presence within the machine.

2025-05-17 19:16