It is just a little over a month until theFantastic Fourofficially return to theaters, asFirst Stepsis set to change the landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Marvel’s slate of related comics continues with a solo adventure starringH.E.R.B.I.E., the team’s robot sidekick, who will make his live-action debut in the film.
In an interview with Marvel, author Nathan Stockman discussed working onH.E.R.B.I.E: Infinity Comic#1, an online exclusive which he wrote and illustrated, as well as providing the covers for.
According to Stockman,the joy of working on theH.E.R.B.I.E.comic, ahead of his MCU arrival, is “carving a little corner” of the Marvel Universe “for H.E.R.B.I.E. to fit into.”Already a belovedfixture ofFantastic Fourlore, this comic, plus his movie role, could be what firmly elevates the robotic character to fan-favorite status.
H.E.R.B.I.E: Infinity Comic#1; Written And Illustrated By Nathan Stockman; Color By Matt Milla; Lettering By Ariana Maher
Notably, H.E.R.B.I.E.’s on-screen appearance inFantastic Four: First Stepswill actually be a return to the character’s roots; his long tenure in Marvel lore actually began with the 1978 animated seriesThe New Fantastic Four, in which H.E.R.B.I.E. replaced the Human Torch, whom the creators of the show were unable to use due to a rights issue. The show only lasted one season, but its legacy continues to this day in the form of H.E.R.B.I.E., who was integrated into Marvel Comics canon shortly afterward.
H.E.R.B.I.E. has been a reliable supporting character for the Fantastic Four ever since, but he has rarely taken center stage in his own story.H.E.R.B.I.E: Infinity Comicchanges that, with what Marvel promises is a “lighthearted,” family-friendly series starring the character. Here’s how author Nathan Stockman described his protagonist:
H.E.R.B.I.E. is much more than a babysitter. He’s an assistant, a friend, and a confidant to the Fantastic Four and more. While Reed may have primarily built him to help, I like to think he programmed him to compliment the family dynamic. H.E.R.B.I.E brings an eager (sometimes overeager) positivity to the group.
Without treading into spoiler territory,Stockman also teased that “our robot pal makes new friends, new enemies, and new connections"during the course of the series, making it a perfect entry-point for fans eager to encounter the character in live-action.
H.E.R.B.I.E. Could Be The Next Cute Character To Capture Movie Audiences' Imaginations This Summer
A Potential Break-Out Moment For The Fantastic Four’s Robot
Fans have already glimpsed the MCU’s H.E.R.B.I.E. inpromo material for Fantastic Four: First Steps, and it looks as though the robot’s design hews closely to theMarvel Comics version of the character. Though H.E.R.B.I.E. will likely be restricted to a supporting role in the film,his soloInfinity Comicis here to prove that he can lead a series on his own, especially one intended for younger fans, which could be the first steps toward a Disney+ animated series, or something along those lines, should the character be a hit.
H.E.R.B.I.E. is perfectly toyetic, and could certainly capture the imaginations of the wider pop culture zeitgeist.
H.E.R.B.I.E. has a dedicated fanbase among Marvel loyalists, but for mainstream audiences, he remains largely unknown.First Stepswill change that, and the potential is there for the character to be the next Groot, or Grogu, to borrow an example from theStar Warsfranchise; H.E.R.B.I.E. is perfectly toyetic, and could certainly capture the imaginations of the wider pop culture zeitgeist, something Marvel can capitalize on by continuing to feature theFantastic Fourstaple in his own solo adventures.
Source:Nathan Stockman interview (Marvel.com)
