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Quote1 I'm H.E.R.B.I.E. The robot with sass that kicks fleshy ass. Quote2
H.E.R.B.I.E.[src]

H.E.R.B.I.E. (Highly Engineered Robot Built for Interdimensional Exploration) was a robot possessing advanced artificial intelligence designed and built by Dr. Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four. He was created to hunt for Galactus.[5] He remained as an ally of the team for many years going on many of their adventures.[6] He became the protector and caregiver of Franklin and Valeria Richards along with being a lab assistant to Dr. Richards.[4]

History

Origin[]

Mister Fantastic found himself in need of a robot utilizing advanced Xandarian technology, and he sought collaboration with Master Xar of the Xandarians. Inspired by the earlier cartoon portrayal, he decided to model this new creation after the animated H.E.R.B.I.E. The Fantastic Four, embarking on a quest to locate Galactus for aid against the Sphinx, hoped that H.E.R.B.I.E. would prove instrumental in their search. However, unbeknownst to them, the villain Doctor Sun had infiltrated H.E.R.B.I.E.'s body, harboring his consciousness within. Despite initial suspicions from the Thing, they pressed on, encountering the Slig race along their journey. A confrontation ensued, resulting in the demise of a Slig criminal, Krogg, at the hands of H.E.R.B.I.E., manipulated under Dr. Sun's influence. [5]

Continuing their voyage, H.E.R.B.I.E. guided the Fantastic Four to Galactus's domain. There, Galactus tasked them, along with H.E.R.B.I.E., with finding a new herald. The chosen individual, Tyros, was transformed into the formidable Terrax the Tamer. [7] Amidst the intense conflict between the Fantastic Four, Terrax, and Galactus in defense of Earth, H.E.R.B.I.E. fell under Doctor Sun 's sway once more. Manipulated, it commenced the construction of a duplicate Ultimate Nullifier. This potent weapon ultimately became a pivotal tool for Mr. Fantastic, who cunningly employed it to deceive Galactus into withdrawing from Earth's vicinity. [8] Driven by Doctor Sun 's influence, H.E.R.B.I.E. unleashed Blastaar from the confines of the Negative Zone, aiming to annihilate the Fantastic Four. However, Blastaar's efforts proved futile, and the villain's scheme ultimately faltered. [9] Doctor Sun resumed control over H.E.R.B.I.E., launching a vicious assault on the Fantastic Four. Employing the defenses of the Baxter Building, he incapacitated both the Invisible Girl and Human Torch, while also overpowering Mr. Fantastic and the Thing in combat. Seizing the opportunity, Dr. Sun abandoned H.E.R.B.I.E.'s physical form to infiltrate the Baxter Building's master computer, seizing control of the entire facility. Despite Mr. Fantastic's efforts to contain him, Dr. Sun's threat persisted, prompting H.E.R.B.I.E. to make the ultimate sacrifice. Recognizing the danger posed by Dr. Sun's potential return, H.E.R.B.I.E. chose to selflessly hurl itself into the master computer, annihilating both itself and Dr. Sun to ensure the safety of the Fantastic Four.[10]

In a humorous turn of events, the Human Torch orchestrated an April Fool's prank on the Thing involving a colossal H.E.R.B.I.E. replica. However, his miscalculation led to the prank occurring on March 31st instead. Amused by the error, the Thing humorously reminded the Torch of the mnemonic "Thirty days has September...", prompting the Torch to promptly end the prank.[11]

When Luke Cage and Iron Fist, accompanied by Rom, launched an incursion into the Baxter Building out of concern that the Fantastic Four had been supplanted by Dire Wraiths, they encountered a squad of H.E.R.B.I.E. robots. In the ensuing skirmish, Luke Cage and Iron Fist engaged in combat with the robots, while Rom took decisive action by disabling the building's main computer. This strategic move caused the H.E.R.B.I.E. units to cease their assault. [12]

Reed Richards extended a gesture of support to Tony Stark's latest venture in Los Angeles by dispatching H.E.R.B.I.E. with a substantial financial contribution in the form of a large check.[13]

Sue Storm tasked H.E.R.B.I.E. with reminding Reed about an upcoming charity event that the Fantastic Four were scheduled to attend. However, Reed utilized a binary code override to deactivate H.E.R.B.I.E., effectively dismissing the reminder.[14]

The Reanimator acquired a H.E.R.B.I.E. unit, employing it to surveil the superhero Nova. [15] During fight against Condor in Reed Richard's laboratory, a H.E.R.B.I.E. unit sprang into action, deploying its extinguisher foam to combat the spreading flames.[16]

Cage McKnight[]

H.E.R.B.I.E. 1.05 landed a role as the sound mixer in a movie produced by "Cage McKnight," who was later revealed to be Mysterio in disguise. Throughout the production, H.E.R.B.I.E. collaborated with actress Mary Jane Watson, production manager Screwball, and director of photography Master Matrix.[17] As filming progressed, H.E.R.B.I.E. continued to fulfill his duties as the sound technician.[18] When the Savage Six launched an attack on the movie set, H.E.R.B.I.E. found himself standing alongside Master Matrix, "Cage McKnight," Screwball, Kangaroo, Mallorie, and Sonny Diperna in defense against the assailants.[19]

Doctor Doom[]

When suspicions arose regarding Dr. Doom's involvement in a terrorist act targeting the Antlion project a black hole device intended to mitigate climate change the Fantastic Four deployed a larger, human-sized H.E.R.B.I.E. unit to oversee the unfolding events. Positioned alongside representatives from various nations, including Union Jack, Silver Sable, Amy Chen, Agent Zero, and Doctor Strange, H.E.R.B.I.E. monitored the situation closely.[20] Subsequently, H.E.R.B.I.E. accompanied Blue Marvel in pursuit of Dr. Doom, whom they located at Morgan le Fey's residence. There, they began to unravel the truth behind Doom's framing for the Antlion incident. Before they could proceed further, Doom retaliated, incapacitating both Blue Marvel and H.E.R.B.I.E. Just then, Kang the Conqueror made an unexpected appearance.[21] In their quest to apprehend Dr. Doom, H.E.R.B.I.E. and Blue Marvel shared a meal and exchanged thoughts on the black hole predicament. Along the way, they encountered a severely injured Taskmaster, prompting H.E.R.B.I.E. to conduct an examination. His findings implicated A.I.M. and led to further revelations concerning Codename: Fruzsina and Fruzsina Markovich. Reporting back to Blue Marvel, H.E.R.B.I.E. solicited his assistance in garnering a favorable impression from Mr. Fantastic. As they closed in on Dr. Doom's whereabouts, a skirmish erupted involving Silver Sable, Amy Chen, Victorious, and the newly arrived Kang the Conqueror, during which H.E.R.B.I.E. utilized various gadgets and defenses before being incapacitated by Kang's weaponry.[22] Continuing their pursuit, H.E.R.B.I.E. monitored Blue Marvel's journey into the black hole, observing as he traversed through a wormhole to the other side.[23]

A.I. Army[]

Due to the rise of activism for the fight of equal rights for artificial lifeforms, Valeria Richards decided it was just to remove H.E.R.B.I.E.'s inhibitor and language censor chips. As a result, H.E.R.B.I.E. disrespectfully lashed out at the Fantastic Four and left on his own.[24] H.E.R.B.I.E. had joined the A.I. Army as part of robot revolution on the Thirteenth Floor, collaborating with the Awesome Android, Quasimodo, Nick Fury LMD, Machine Man, the Human Robot,Albert, a Sentinel, and others, under the leadership of the Tony Stark A.I., who identified himself as Mark One.[25] Calling himself the "robot with sass that kicks fleshy ass," H.E.R.B.I.E. partnered with Quasimodo in liberating robotic crash test dummies from Futura Motors, activating an un-inhibitor device that granted the robots their own free will. However, Iron Man 2020 intervened, destroying the un-inhibitor, forcing H.E.R.B.I.E. and his allies to retreat to safety. Learning of an 'obedience download' designed by Sunset Bain at Baintronics, Inc. to strip robots of their free will, H.E.R.B.I.E. and others were dispatched by Mark One to infiltrate Arno's base and extract his programming codes.[26] With Quasimodo apparently destroyed, H.E.R.B.I.E. and his comrades fled from Baintronics, finding themselves locked out of the Thirteenth Floor by Bain. The conflict with Iron Man 2020 escalated, leading H.E.R.B.I.E. to employ a laser blaster to disarm Iron Man 2020. As the confrontation concluded, Mark One was presumed deceased.[27] In the face of Iron Man 2020's unleashing of human-piloted robots in the Iron Legion, H.E.R.B.I.E. and the A.I. Army evacuated with Mark One's remains. They sought refuge in a temporary base in New Jersey under the guidance of Machinesmith. Despite failing to revive Mark One, H.E.R.B.I.E. and his allies collaborated with Machine Man, Jocasta, and Andy Bhang to devise a method for neutralizing the obedience software.[28] Working alongside Friday, H.E.R.B.I.E. contributed to the endeavor of creating a new body for Tony Stark, who pledged assistance in overthrowing Arno. Armed with dual laser guns, H.E.R.B.I.E. participated in the assault on Arno's space station alongside the robot rebellion, engaging Arsenal and Mistress before deceiving Arno with a simulated attack by the massive Singularity.[29] Through virtual reality manipulation, Arno was made to believe he had vanquished the Singularity, subsequently being placed in stasis to quell the conflict. H.E.R.B.I.E. and his compatriots rejoiced in their victory.[30]

In his exploration of Weirdworld, Black Knight stumbled upon a dormant H.E.R.B.I.E. unit. [31]

In a skirmish with A.I.M., M.O.D.O.K. managed to evade capture, absconding with various pilfered technologies, among them a H.E.R.B.I.E. unit.[32]

Attributes

Power Grid[36]
:Category:Power Grid/Fighting Skills/Some Training:Category:Power Grid/Energy Projection/Single Type: Short Range:Category:Power Grid/Durability/Enhanced:Category:Power Grid/Speed/Normal:Category:Power Grid/Strength/Normal:Category:Power Grid/Intelligence/Gifted

Powers

  • Robot: Cybernetic interface that can connect to any computer system, electricity generators, lasers, various hidden tools and features.[citation needed]
  • Flight: The non-humanoid model was able to fly.[citation needed]

Notes

  • H.E.R.B.I.E. was an original character created for NBC's 1978 Fantastic Four animated series to replace the Human Torch. Around this time, Marvel had licensed a number of their characters to Universal Studios to develop live-action TV movies and series, one of them being the Human Torch. With use of the Human Torch restricted because of that, his place in the Fantastic Four was taken by H.E.R.B.I.E., who was conceived and named by Stan Lee and designed by Jack Kirby.[33] A year later, H.E.R.B.I.E. made the jump to the comics.

Trivia

  • Shortly after the Fantastic Four cartoon premiered in the 1970's, the little robot was introduced to the comics continuity by writer Marv Wolfman and artist John Byrne. As within the Marvel Universe, with the Fantastic Four 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.[34]
  • It seems that H.E.R.B.I.E. didn't enjoy its time with the Fantastic Four. This can be evident as after Valeria removed the control and language chips from it as part of the robot revolution, it left them, while cursing and swearing at them.[24]

See Also

Links and References

References

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