Herbie Popnecker is unique among superheroes. Short and fat, he looks less like a superhero than any other, but he may be the most powerful.
Despite Herbie's fame, his money-worshiping father -- business bonehead and all-around idiot Pincus Popnecker, is unaware of Herbie's powers (powers Herbie tries to conceal from his parents) or the many villains Herbie faces -- often refers to Herbie as a "little fat nothing," especially when Herbie is sitting or sleeping or resting. Dad wishes that Herbie was a good student, a great athlete, or anything other than his unwanted son. Herbie shrugs off these criticisms, and sometimes Mom defends Herbie, although halfheartedly.
This page started when I realized that Herbie sometimes bit his adversaries. I compiled a few examples, adding to them occasionally, and eventually, it turned into an obsession. It represents all the examples of Herbie's powers, recurring gags, and oddities that I could find. It is not complete for some areas (Herbie's speech comes to mind, and not just his catchphrase), so it gets expanded sometimes. Some compilations might even be controversial (the one on Jewish references comes to mind, as well as racial stereotypes). I hope that the compilations can be used for scholarly work -- Herbiology™ -- but flipping through for fun is fine. I have used the examples to provide an explanation for Herbie's fatness, to document why I think Richard Hughes might have been a fan of Jay Ward productions (e.g., Rocky & Bullwinkle), and to explain why Herbie revival attempts have failed.
Some categories here inspired by Bob Hughes' The Popnecker Papers: A Herbie History, Amazing Heroes #173, November 1989.
Catalog of Stories | Covers and Indicia from Issues | Splash Pages and Ending Panels of Stories | Calendar | Captionless | Errors | Ads | Herbie's Background | Evolution of Herbie | Herbie's Creators
Order themes by: Theme Category | Story Count | Example Count | When Created | When Updated | Theme Label | Theme Name
1. Animated Inanimate Objects (gag)Created: 2014-12-09 Updated: 2014-12-09 Stories: 19 Examples: 29 |
|
2. Publications about Herbie (misc)Created: 2013-02-17 Updated: 2013-03-17 Examples: 9 |
|
3. Intermediate Knowledge Quiz (misc)Created: 2013-01-14 Updated: 2013-03-16 Examples: 10 |
|
4. Easy Knowledge Quiz (misc)Created: 2013-01-11 Updated: 2013-03-16 Examples: 10 |
|
5. Says 'AWAY' (language)Created: 2013-01-06 Updated: 2013-01-12 Stories: 7 Examples: 14 |
|
6. Says 'GULP' (language)Created: 2013-01-04 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 42 Examples: 72 |
|
7. Says 'HELP' (language)Created: 2013-01-03 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 30 Examples: 50 |
|
8. Says 'ULP' (language)Created: 2013-01-02 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 22 Examples: 27 |
|
9. Says 'YOWP!' (language)Created: 2013-01-01 Updated: 2013-01-02 Stories: 12 Examples: 14 |
|
10. Says 'HURRAH' (language)Created: 2012-12-31 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 11 Examples: 18 |
|
11. Says 'OUCH' (language)Created: 2012-12-31 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 26 Examples: 44 |
|
12. Says 'HA-HA' (language)Created: 2012-12-30 Updated: 2012-12-30 Stories: 23 Examples: 40 |
|
13. Says 'HO-HO' (language)Created: 2012-12-30 Updated: 2012-12-30 Stories: 7 Examples: 11 |
|
14. Says 'HEH-HEH' (language)Created: 2012-12-30 Updated: 2013-01-03 Stories: 14 Examples: 21 |
|
15. Says 'HAW-HAW' (language)Created: 2012-12-30 Updated: 2012-12-31 Stories: 17 Examples: 24 |
|
16. Says 'YUK-YUK' (language)Created: 2012-12-30 Updated: 2012-12-29 Stories: 4 Examples: 5 |
|
17. Says 'OOF' (language)Created: 2012-12-29 Updated: 2013-01-11 Stories: 21 Examples: 28 |
|
18. Says 'PUFF' + 'PANT' (language)Created: 2012-12-29 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 15 Examples: 21 |
|
19. Says 'GR-RR' (language)Created: 2012-12-28 Updated: 2013-01-02 Stories: 16 Examples: 20 |
|
20. Says 'DURN' (language)Created: 2012-12-28 Updated: 2013-01-02 Stories: 10 Examples: 11 |
|
21. Says 'OH, WELL...' (language)Created: 2012-12-27 Updated: 2012-12-27 Stories: 10 Examples: 10 |
|
22. Says 'UGH' (language)Created: 2012-12-27 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 18 Examples: 21 |
|
23. Says 'WHEW' (language)Created: 2012-12-27 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 8 Examples: 9 |
|
24. Says 'URP!' (language)Created: 2012-12-26 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 17 Examples: 21 |
|
25. Says 'YIPE!' (language)Created: 2012-12-26 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 18 Examples: 22 |
|
26. Says 'YI!' (language)Created: 2012-12-26 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 9 Examples: 10 |
|
27. Says 'AH-HH' (language)Created: 2012-12-25 Updated: 2012-12-27 Stories: 17 Examples: 23 |
|
28. Says 'WHAT THE...' (language)Created: 2012-12-25 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 6 Examples: 8 |
|
29. Says 'WELL, I'LL BE...' (language)Created: 2012-12-25 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 8 Examples: 8 |
|
30. Says 'SEE?' (language)Created: 2012-12-24 Updated: 2012-12-27 Stories: 18 Examples: 20 |
|
31. Says 'BY GEORGE' (language)Created: 2012-12-24 Updated: 2012-12-30 Stories: 9 Examples: 12 |
|
32. Says 'YESSIR' (language)Created: 2012-12-24 Updated: 2012-12-27 Stories: 16 Examples: 22 |
|
33. Says 'SIGH' (language)Created: 2012-12-23 Updated: 2012-12-27 Stories: 14 Examples: 14 |
|
34. Says 'WOE' (language)Created: 2012-12-23 Updated: 2012-12-27 Stories: 4 Examples: 4 |
|
35. Patriotism (story subject)Created: 2012-05-13 Updated: 2012-05-18 Stories: 13 Examples: 14 |
|
36. Coated (gag)Created: 2012-05-10 Updated: 2012-05-10 Stories: 5 Examples: 7 |
|
37. Herbie is Surrounded (gag)Created: 2012-05-05 Updated: 2013-01-05 Stories: 7 Examples: 10 |
|
38. Thinking (super power)Created: 2012-04-29 Updated: 2012-04-29 Stories: 26 Examples: 36 |
|
39. Do it Myself (gag)Created: 2012-04-28 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 17 Examples: 19 |
|
40. Warnings and Threats (language)Created: 2012-04-27 Updated: 2013-01-05 Stories: 10 Examples: 10 |
|
41. Similarities with Jay Ward Productions (misc)Created: 2012-04-20 Updated: 2012-09-01 Examples: 44 |
|
42. School (story subject)Created: 2012-03-25 Updated: 2012-05-07 Stories: 10 Examples: 26 |
|
43. Assorted Powers (super power)Created: 2012-03-24 Updated: 2012-04-18 Stories: 16 Examples: 20 |
|
44. Says 'Gangway!' (language)Created: 2012-03-23 Updated: 2013-01-04 Stories: 8 Examples: 9 |
|
45. Herbie is Unwanted (gag)Created: 2012-03-21 Updated: 2013-01-12 Stories: 19 Examples: 25 |
|
46. Silly Names (gag)Created: 2012-03-20 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 25 Examples: 35 |
|
47. In the Hammock (gag)Created: 2012-03-19 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 12 Examples: 14 |
|
48. Nicknames (gag)Created: 2012-03-18 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 36 Examples: 59 |
|
49. Herbie's Creators (misc)Created: 2012-03-16 Updated: 2012-04-27 Examples: 6 |
|
50. Background (misc)Created: 2012-03-11 Updated: 2012-08-31 Examples: 14 |
|
51. Mom Reacting (gag)Created: 2012-03-10 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 13 Examples: 19 |
|
52. Short (gag)Created: 2012-03-07 Updated: 2012-05-06 Stories: 12 Examples: 14 |
|
53. Sitting (gag)Created: 2012-03-04 Updated: 2012-05-10 Stories: 20 Examples: 26 |
|
54. Evolution of Herbie (misc)Created: 2012-03-03 Updated: 2012-08-31 Examples: 27 |
|
55. Methodical, Organized (gag)Created: 2012-02-29 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 6 Examples: 7 |
|
56. Money Mania (gag)Created: 2012-02-26 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 8 Examples: 12 |
|
57. Uncaptioned Panels (misc)Created: 2012-02-21 Updated: 2014-11-17 Examples: 18 |
|
58. Advertisements (misc)Created: 2012-02-17 Updated: 2013-01-14 Examples: 17 |
|
59. Story-Ending Panels (misc)Created: 2012-01-20 Updated: 2012-06-18 Examples: 52 |
|
60. Love (story subject)Created: 2011-12-31 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 7 Examples: 19 |
|
61. Sports (story subject)Created: 2011-12-31 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 19 Examples: 27 |
|
62. Dad is an Idiot (gag)Created: 2011-12-29 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 12 Examples: 15 |
|
63. Falling (super power)Created: 2011-12-28 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 12 Examples: 15 |
|
64. Herbie is Oblivious (gag)Created: 2011-12-28 Updated: 2012-04-11 Stories: 8 Examples: 9 |
|
65. Tap-Tap (gag)Created: 2011-12-26 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 11 Examples: 16 |
|
66. Herbie's Secret Powers (gag)Created: 2011-12-26 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 6 Examples: 9 |
|
67. Stereotypes (gag)Created: 2011-12-25 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 9 Examples: 12 |
|
68. Calendar Examples (misc)Created: 2008-12-18 Updated: 2020-04-07 Examples: 29 |
|
69. Virtuous (super power)Created: 2008-12-14 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 31 Examples: 39 |
|
70. Impatient/Busy/Rushed (gag)Created: 2008-12-14 Updated: 2013-01-05 Stories: 19 Examples: 22 |
|
71. Says 'WANNA...' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-05-14 Stories: 27 Examples: 38 |
|
72. Says 'TCH, TCH' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 23 Examples: 30 |
|
73. Says 'HO-HUM' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-05-31 Stories: 9 Examples: 10 |
|
74. Says 'OH-OH' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-05-31 Stories: 10 Examples: 11 |
|
75. Says 'Always Trouble' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-04-11 Stories: 8 Examples: 9 |
|
76. Says 'UH-UH' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-05-31 Stories: 15 Examples: 19 |
|
77. Says 'Hate Something' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 11 Examples: 13 |
|
78. Says 'Wise Guy' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-05-31 Stories: 11 Examples: 14 |
|
79. Fainting (gag)Created: 2008-11-29 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 9 Examples: 10 |
|
80. Splashing (gag)Created: 2008-11-24 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 14 Examples: 17 |
|
81. Sound-Effects (gag)Created: 2008-11-22 Updated: 2012-04-21 Stories: 51 Examples: 76 |
|
82. Deception (gag)Created: 2008-11-21 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 14 Examples: 17 |
|
83. Stopping by Sticking Out Feet (gag)Created: 2008-11-20 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 14 Examples: 14 |
|
84. Appreciates the Finer Things (gag)Created: 2008-11-09 Updated: 2012-08-31 Stories: 29 Examples: 51 |
|
85. Dad is a Masher (gag)Created: 2008-10-23 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 5 Examples: 9 |
|
86. Dad is Unobservant (gag)Created: 2008-10-23 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 6 Examples: 7 |
|
87. Publication Indicia (misc)Created: 2005-11-17 Updated: 2012-05-01 Examples: 29 |
|
88. Thumbnails of Covers (misc)Created: 2005-10-13 Updated: 2012-04-25 Examples: 42 |
|
89. Story Splash Pages (misc)Created: 2005-10-13 Updated: 2012-08-31 Examples: 55 |
|
90. Comic Cover Pages (misc)Created: 2005-10-12 Updated: 2012-04-26 Examples: 42 |
|
91. Errors (misc)Created: 2005-10-12 Updated: 2012-05-29 Examples: 16 |
|
92. Villains/Adversaries (story subject)Created: 2005-10-02 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 35 Examples: 46 |
|
93. Strong (super power)Created: 2005-09-22 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 9 Examples: 12 |
|
94. Jewish References (gag)Created: 2005-07-30 Updated: 2012-08-21 Stories: 17 Examples: 24 |
|
95. Says-Schmez (language)Created: 2005-07-30 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 11 Examples: 14 |
|
96. Travels Mysteriously (super power)Created: 2005-03-14 Updated: 2012-04-24 Stories: 14 Examples: 18 |
|
97. Communicates Mysteriously (super power)Created: 2005-03-14 Updated: 2012-05-10 Stories: 8 Examples: 8 |
|
98. Flying (super power)Created: 2005-03-13 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 49 Examples: 94 |
|
99. Breaking the 4th Wall (gag)Created: 2005-03-13 Updated: 2013-01-05 Stories: 16 Examples: 22 |
|
100. The Unknown (story subject)Created: 2005-03-09 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 11 Examples: 18 |
|
101. Lightning Bolts (super power)Created: 2005-03-09 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 6 Examples: 6 |
|
102. Fat, Fat, Water Rat (gag)Created: 2005-03-09 Updated: 2012-08-31 Stories: 28 Examples: 40 |
|
103. Two-Headed Adversaries (gag)Created: 2005-03-09 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 7 Examples: 9 |
|
104. Swinging Adversaries (super power)Created: 2005-02-09 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 14 Examples: 16 |
|
105. Plunger Jokes (gag)Created: 2005-02-07 Updated: 2013-03-16 Stories: 6 Examples: 6 |
|
106. Butt Jokes (gag)Created: 2005-02-05 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 42 Examples: 75 |
|
107. Says 'Something...?' (language)Created: 2004-11-17 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 11 Examples: 13 |
|
108. Magical Powers (super power)Created: 2004-11-14 Updated: 2012-04-26 Stories: 12 Examples: 20 |
|
109. Women Swoon (gag)Created: 2004-11-14 Updated: 2012-04-25 Stories: 24 Examples: 41 |
|
110. Punching (super power)Created: 2004-11-13 Updated: 2012-04-11 Stories: 16 Examples: 27 |
|
111. Travels in Space (super power)Created: 2004-11-12 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 10 Examples: 13 |
|
112. Baby Herbie (gag)Created: 2004-11-12 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 7 Examples: 8 |
|
113. Handy Items (gag)Created: 2004-11-12 Updated: 2012-04-25 Stories: 13 Examples: 13 |
|
114. Buck Teeth (gag)Created: 2004-11-12 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 10 Examples: 10 |
|
115. Animal Love (gag)Created: 2004-11-12 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 9 Examples: 11 |
|
116. Boxer Shorts (gag)Created: 2004-11-11 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 13 Examples: 17 |
|
117. Lollipops (super power)Created: 2004-11-10 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 31 Examples: 66 |
|
118. Disguises (gag)Created: 2004-11-09 Updated: 2014-11-01 Stories: 43 Examples: 83 |
|
119. Invisible (super power)Created: 2004-11-07 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 5 Examples: 6 |
|
120. Shrugging (gag)Created: 2004-11-07 Updated: 2012-06-13 Stories: 26 Examples: 44 |
|
121. Travels Underground (super power)Created: 2004-11-06 Updated: 2012-04-11 Stories: 4 Examples: 5 |
|
122. Travels in Water (super power)Created: 2004-11-06 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 8 Examples: 9 |
|
123. Breaking In, Out, and Through (super power)Created: 2004-11-06 Updated: 2012-05-29 Stories: 15 Examples: 21 |
|
124. Can't be Hurt (super power)Created: 2004-10-21 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 21 Examples: 32 |
|
125. Travels Back in Time (super power)Created: 2004-10-19 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 15 Examples: 27 |
|
126. Sleeping (gag)Created: 2004-10-17 Updated: 2012-05-22 Stories: 25 Examples: 40 |
|
127. Bop you with this here lollipop (language)Created: 2004-10-16 Updated: 2012-05-18 Stories: 25 Examples: 35 |
|
128. Dad's Ideas (story subject)Created: 2004-10-15 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 11 Examples: 24 |
|
129. Eating (gag)Created: 2004-10-15 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 19 Examples: 21 |
|
130. Little Fat Nothing (language)Created: 2004-10-13 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 28 Examples: 49 |
|
131. Famous (super power)Created: 2004-10-07 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 47 Examples: 85 |
|
132. Talks with Animals (super power)Created: 2004-10-07 Updated: 2012-04-20 Stories: 39 Examples: 59 |
|
133. Biting (super power)Created: 2004-10-07 Updated: 2012-12-31 Stories: 14 Examples: 19 |
|
134. Hypnotic Eyes (super power)Created: 2004-10-06 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 20 Examples: 27 |
|
135. Calm, Deadpan (gag)Created: 2004-10-05 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 22 Examples: 29 |
|
136. Mountain Top Placement (gag)Created: 2004-10-04 Updated: 2012-04-24 Stories: 3 Examples: 3 |
|
137. Lookalikes Galore (gag)Created: 2004-10-02 Updated: 2012-05-10 Stories: 21 Examples: 25 |
|
138. Squishing (gag)Created: 2003-03-09 Updated: 2012-04-21 Stories: 11 Examples: 15 |
Order themes by: Theme Category | Story Count | Example Count | When Created | When Updated | Theme Label | Theme Name