H.E.R.B.I.E.'s Glow-Up: From Cartoon Sidekick to MCU Star (and Why the Human Torch Was MIA)
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot, originally created to replace the Human Torch in the '70s cartoon due to licensing issues, is now a major part of the new Fantastic Four movie, proving even the weirdest characters can get a second chance. Turns out the Human Torch wasn't too hot to handle for kids, just tied up in TV rights!
Right, so the Fantastic Four are getting a new movie, and everyone's losing their minds over H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot. But before you start screaming "kitsch overload," let's rewind a bit. This little bot has a *weird* history, and it all starts with a missing Human Torch and a whole lot of misinformation. (Credit: IGN South Africa)
Back in '78, when the Fantastic Four got their first animated series, *The New Fantastic Four*, Johnny Storm was nowhere to be seen. Instead, we got H.E.R.B.I.E., a blocky little robot with a voice that could shatter glass. For years, the story was that TV execs were worried kids would set themselves on fire trying to copy the Human Torch. Sounds a bit far-fetched, doesn't it? Like blaming Mario for plumber-related incidents.
Turns out, the real reason was way more boring: licensing rights. Universal had snapped up the rights to the Human Torch for a live-action series that never actually happened. Bloody typical, eh? So, no Johnny Storm for the cartoon.
But here's the twist: H.E.R.B.I.E. wasn't just some random replacement. He was the *last* co-creation of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Yeah, *those* Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The guys who dreamt up pretty much the entire Marvel Universe. Kirby was back at Marvel doing storyboard work, and Lee, ever the showman, decided the FF needed a robot pal to fill the Torch-shaped hole. R2-D2 was all the rage, after all.
So, Kirby designed the little guy, and H.E.R.B.I.E. was born. A slightly awkward, high-pitched robot sidekick. The cartoon itself wasn't exactly a smash hit – even Stan Lee wasn't thrilled with it – but H.E.R.B.I.E. stuck around. He even made his way into the comics, explained away with a meta joke about the cartoon existing in the Marvel universe.
In the comics, Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) builds H.E.R.B.I.E. after seeing The New Fantastic Four cartoon in the Marvel Universe itself. The joke there is that Johnny Storm missed a meeting with the show's production company and was replaced as a result. Hilarious.
For years, H.E.R.B.I.E. was mostly a punchline, a reminder of a weird chapter in FF history. But here's the thing: that little dude is seriously toyetic. He's popped up in action figure sets, animated cameos, and now, he's about to be a major player in the new *Fantastic Four: First Steps* movie, voiced by none other than General Grievous himself (Matthew Wood).
And the film is set in an alternate reality where everything has a 1960s retro-future aesthetic, which plays to H.E.R.B.I.E.’s strengths perfectly. Previously, he might have felt like a stretch for a live-action film, but with the retro setting, he is right at home.
This isn't just some random cameo; H.E.R.B.I.E.'s all over the marketing. He's helping Ben Grimm cook dinner, babysitting Franklin Richards... the works! They have also announced that H.E.R.B.I.E. will eventually join the FF when they debut at Disneyland's Tomorrowland. Talk about a comeback story.
So, yeah, H.E.R.B.I.E. might seem like a bit of a joke at first glance, but he's also a reminder that even the silliest ideas can have a lasting impact. And hey, at least he's not another grimdark reboot, right? He is ready for his close up on a movie screen, where he can join his pals Reed, Sue, Ben and, Johnny Storm, the guy he once replaced, to help face whatever threats dare challenge the Fantastic Four.
This little bot's journey from licensing loophole to MCU darling is a wild ride. Here's hoping he doesn't short-circuit the whole franchise.
Tags: Fantastic Four, Marvel, H.E.R.B.I.E., MCU, Comics
Original article: IGN South Africa