Journeys into The Weird: Herbie the Fat Fury

Hey there, weird ones. Have I got a bizarre bit of comic book fun for you today! We’ll be looking at Herbie Popnecker, a seemingly ordinary boy with extraordinary abilities, and the star of one of the weirdest comic books of all time.

Herbie first appeared in Forbidden Worlds #73 in December 1958. Published by American Comics Group (ACG), Herbie was created by Richard E. Hughes (writing under the pen name Shane O'Shea) and Ogden Whitney. This atypical hero—short, obese, and perpetually clutching a lollipop—possessed near-omnipotent powers and a knack for navigating the most surreal situations. His base of operations? Mobile throughout all time and space. Initially a supporting character, Herbie's popularity propelled him to his own title, Herbie, in April 1964, which ran for 23 issues until February 1967.

Harvey Comics

Although often mistaken for a Harvey Comics character due to similarities in art style and humor, Herbie the Fat Fury was actually published by American Comics Group (ACG). ACG was a significant publisher during the Golden and Silver Ages of Comics, known for titles like Forbidden Worlds, Unknown Worlds, and Adventures into the Unknown. While Harvey Comics focused on lighthearted characters like Casper the Friendly Ghost and Richie Rich, ACG explored genres like horror, science fiction, and superhero comics.

Publication History

Despite not being published by Harvey Comics, Herbie's publication history is noteworthy. His first appearance was in Forbidden Worlds #73 (December 1958). He went on to appear in issues #94, #110, #114, and #116 of the same title. He also made a cameo appearance in Unknown Worlds #20 (1961). His own series, Herbie, launched in April 1964 and ran for 23 issues, concluding in February 1967. The Fat Fury persona, with his distinctive costume, debuted in Herbie #8 (March 1965). In the 1990s, there were attempts to revive the character, including a new Herbie story written by John Byrne for Dark Horse Comics in 1992.

Creators and Artists

Herbie (Full name, I must mention again: Herbie Popnecker) was co-created by Richard E. Hughes, writing under the pseudonym Shane O'Shea, and artist Ogden Whitney. Hughes, also known as Leo Rosenbaum, was the editor of ACG and wrote most of their publications under various pseudonyms. Whitney, a prolific comic book artist, brought his distinctive clean-lined and realistic style to Herbie, capturing the character's absurd adventures with a grounded aesthetic. Whitney's art, while exaggerated to suit the comedic tone, maintained a sense of realism that contrasted with the often outlandish scenarios.

Powers and Abilities

Herbie's powers are as unconventional as the character himself. While the source of his abilities remains somewhat mysterious, they are often linked to the magic lollipops he receives from a salesman from "the Unknown." 6 These lollipops grant him a wide range of powers, including:

1. Flight: Herbie can "fly" by simply walking through the air, defying gravity with ease.
2. Time Travel: He can travel through time, often interacting with historical figures and altering the course of events.
3. Invisibility: Herbie can become invisible at will, using this ability to avoid detection or surprise his adversaries.
4. Communication with Animals: He can converse with animals, who often assist him in his adventures.
5. Superhuman Strength: While not always explicitly shown, Herbie possesses surprising strength, capable of overpowering opponents much larger than himself.
6. "Lollipop Bopping": Herbie can use his lollipops as weapons, "bopping" adversaries with them to incapacitate or defeat them.

This unique power set, combined with his unassuming appearance, creates a striking contrast that is central to Herbie's appeal. He is a character who constantly subverts expectations, proving that appearances can be deceiving.

Plot Summaries and Notable Storylines

Herbie's stories are characterized by their absurdist humor and surreal situations. He frequently travels through time and space, interacts with historical figures and celebrities, and solves problems with his unexpected powers. Recurring story subjects include Herbie navigating the trials of being a teenager, attending school, and dealing with his father's aspirations for him to be more active, despite Herbie's preference for relaxation. Some notable storylines include:

Story Title	Issue	Summary
Herbie's Quiet Saturday Afternoon	Forbidden Worlds #73	Herbie's first appearance, where he tames a tiger, rescues a damsel in distress, and travels to another planet, all while being berated by his father for his perceived laziness.
Make Way for the Fat Fury!	Herbie #8	Herbie adopts the Fat Fury persona to defeat the supervillain Mr. Horrible.
Selling his soul to the Devil	Forbidden Worlds #116	Herbie outsmarts the Devil and causes chaos in Hell, leading to the cancellation of their deal.

Recurring Gags and Themes

Beyond the main storylines, Herbie's comics feature recurring gags and themes that contribute to the series' unique humor. These include:

1. Herbie's love for lollipops: His constant lollipop sucking is a visual gag and a source of his powers.
2. His father's disapproval: Herbie's father, Pincus Popnecker, frequently berates him for his weight and perceived laziness, unaware of his son's true abilities.
3. His deadpan expressions and minimalist dialogue: Herbie's lack of outward emotion and his clipped speech patterns add to the comedic absurdity.
4. Breaking the fourth wall: Herbie occasionally addresses the reader directly, acknowledging the comic book format and playing with the narrative structure.

These recurring elements create a sense of familiarity and predictability within the otherwise unpredictable world of Herbie the Fat Fury, further enhancing the comedic effect. Fun Fact: Comic book legend Alan Moore has cited Herbie as his favorite superhero due to the character’s clever satire of superhero conventions.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Herbie the Fat Fury, despite his unassuming appearance, has left a lasting impact on comic book history. He is recognized as a precursor to meta-comics, with his stories often playing with genre conventions and breaking the fourth wall. He embraces a superhero identity as the Fat Fury, but this persona doesn't fundamentally change who he is; it's simply an extension of his existing abilities and personality. His influence can be seen in later characters like Rorschach from Watchmen (created by Herbie Super-fan Alan Moore - see above), who shares Herbie's clipped speech patterns.

Herbie's legacy is further cemented by his accidental entry into the public domain. This has led to numerous appearances in webcomics and independent publications, such as Antarctic Press's Exciting Comics #31 (2019), keeping the character alive for new generations of readers.

Interviews and Articles

While direct interviews with the creators are scarce, there are articles and discussions that shed light on Herbie's creation and impact.. Some notable examples include:

1. Comic Book Legends Revealed #348: This article confirms Alan Moore's inspiration from Herbie for Rorschach's speech patterns.
2. John Holland Talks About Fatman, Herbie: Two Tons of Furry: An interview with John Holland, creator of a crossover comic featuring Herbie and another Golden Age character, Fatmam.
3. Slightly Misplaced Comic Book Hero Case File #106: Herbie Popnecker: An article discussing Herbie's unique appeal and enduring legacy.

Where You Can Find Some Herbie Comics

Original Herbie the Fat Fury comics can be found through various online retailers and auction sites like Amazon, eBay, and MyComicShop. Herbie's first appearance can also be read online at ComicBookPlus.com. Dark Horse Comics has also released hardcover archive volumes collecting the original Herbie stories. The value of individual comics varies depending on the issue and condition, with first appearances and key issues commanding higher prices.

Marketplace	Availability	Value
Amazon	Archive Editions, Individual Issues	$48 - $79.99 for Archive Editions, varies for individual issues
eBay	Individual Issues	$19.99 + shipping for individual issues
MyComicShop	Individual Issues	Varies depending on issue and condition
HipComic	Individual Issues	$19.99 for individual issues
Neet Stuff	Individual Issues	$10.00 for individual issues

Wrapping Up

Herbie the Fat Fury remains a singular and influential figure in comic book history. His absurdist adventures, unexpected powers derived from magic lollipops, and satirical approach to the superhero genre have solidified his status as a cult classic. The stark contrast between his unassuming appearance and his near-omnipotence, coupled with his deadpan humor and ability to transcend time and space, makes him a truly unique and memorable character. He is irresistible to women, a fact that further underscores the unexpected nature of his appeal.

While his original run was relatively short, Herbie's accidental public domain status has ensured his continued presence in the world of comics. He has inspired new creators and entertained us long-time fans with his unconventional charm and quirks. His legacy as a precursor to meta-comics, with his tendency to break the fourth wall and play with narrative conventions, further solidifies his place as a significant and enduring figure in the history of the comic book medium.

Long may you remain in the nooks and crannies of our cultural consciousness, Herbie. Until your next brief brush with stardom, we'll be seeing you in the back issue bins (IF we're lucky).