Herbie Popnecker

Herbie Popnecker
Examples of Recurring Themes

Herbie Comic Covers
Fat Fury

Gary Perlman's Compilation and Observations of Herbie Popnecker (the Fat Fury)

Herbie Popnecker is unique among superheroes. While looking less like a superhero than any other, he may also be the most powerful.

Despite Herbie's fame, his father, business bonehead Pincus Popnecker, unaware of his powers or the many villains Herbie faces, often refers to Herbie as a "little fat nothing," especially when he is sleeping. Herbie shrugs off these criticisms.

Links: Catalog of Stories | Cover Pages | Indicia from Issues | Splash Pages of Stories | Calendar | Errors

Background: 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. The format is admittedly dense, but it allows an overview of when and how often the examples appeared. It is not complete for some areas (Herbie's speech comes to mind, and not just his catchphrase), so it might get expanded some time in the future. Some compilations might even be controversial (the one on Jewish references comes to mind). I hope that the compilations can be used for scholarly work I have used them to provide an explanation for Herbie's fatness, and to document why I think Richard Hughes was a fan of Jay Ward productions (e.g., Rocky & Bullwinkle).

Some categories here inspired by Bob Hughes' The Popnecker Papers: A Herbie History, Amazing Heroes #173, November 1989.

How to use the table: For each Herbie story (a-e from Forbidden Worlds, 1-23 from Herbie comics, DFA from the 1990s), a "+" is shown for one example, a "#" is shown for more. Hover your cursor over the + or # to see page numbers. Note that 17b and 23b were reprints of FW94 and FW73 and are blank columns. Click a column header to see the splash page for that story. Click the label at the right to show pictures of the examples with commentary. The bottom of the table shows the number of themes per story ("." for 10-14 themes, "-" for 15-19, "+" for 20-24, and "#" for 25 or more); each symbol links to a page of all the themes in that story.

Order themes by: Theme Category | Example Count | When Created | When Updated | Theme Label | Theme Name

abcde1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011121314151617181920212223DFA         link to examples
          #     #      ++   ##          #+   ##      # 11 22 * Dad's Ideas
 ++ #    #        #   +        +  +        #   +    +  11 18 * The Unknown
     #  #  #   +    + +   +  #    # ++    #   +  #  #  15 26 * Travels Back in Time
++######+##++#+# #+ +++++#++++++#+###  +##++ ++#++  #+ 47 84 * Famous
    #+ +     + +   ++   + +     +  ++     +   +  #     15 17 * Virtuous
+++#++ #+   +#++ #+ + # + ++##++ ++##+ ### +#++#++   # 39 59 * Talks with Animals
   +#  +  ++  +   +   +++#   #+      + +    +##  + +++ 22 29 * Hypnotic Eyes
   + +       +      +              +         +          6  6 * Communicates Mysteriously
++ #####++    +  +  #+ + #+  + #+ #++# +   ++#+# # +#  32 56 * Lollipops
  ++ +  ++ ++ + +#   ++  +  ++   # +++    # ###  +     24 35 * Bop you with this here lollipop
         ++     +   #        ++ ++   +  # +  #   +     13 18 * Biting
      +  +   +     + #     +  +  #+#+  #+      #+#     16 26 * Punching
                                                +       1  1 * Tickling
    +        +                  +    +  +  +            6  6 * Lightning Bolts
+           ++ +   #  +  +       +++     +     +++     14 16 * Swinging Adversaries
  + # +++  #   +    ##+ +++   #+  +# +   +    # +      21 32 * Can't be Hurt
  + +  #   +    +    #+   +    #   +   # + # +  +      15 21 * Breaking In, Out, and Through
         +       # #  +   +                   +  +      7 10 * Strong
########+++ ##+++#+# ##++#++#+###++#+# ##+##+#+### +#  49 94 * Flying
  #      #+     #                ++ +    + +   +       10 13 * Travels in Space
    + +          #                          +           4  5 * Travels Underground
         +                +  +   + ++           #       7  8 * Travels in Water
 ++   ++ +   #  #   +  +        ++         #   # +     14 18 * Travels Mysteriously
# +  ++  +                                              5  6 * Invisible
 ++ +#  +             +        ++           +  ###     12 20 * Magical Powers
                         +        #+ + + + +   +     +  9 10 * Says 'Something...?'
    + +  +                 +    +            + # +      8  9 * Says 'HO-HUM'
            + #       +       +             +    +      6  7 * Says 'OH-OH'
 +        #  ++# +     +    ++ #    +# +++  +++# +     20 25 * Says 'TCH, TCH'
          +    +    + +  +   +   +     #                8  9 * Says 'Always Trouble'
      #    + # +  +   #      +   +       +      +    + 11 14 * Says-Schmez
                   +#   ++ # #      +  +   +            9 12 * Says 'UH-UH'
 #    ++  #  ##   +++ ++++  #+##++   +  +    #+  +     24 33 * Says 'WANNA'
        #   +         ++ #  ++       + +    +   +      11 13 * Says 'Hate Something'
 +        + #   +          + ++     +#     +           10 12 * Says 'Wiseguy'
  +   +  +  ++     +  +     +   +    +   ++   + #      14 15 * Impatient/Busy/Rushed
     +   +   +  +    +       #+   +     +++ ++++ +     16 17 * Appreciates the Finer Things
+   + # + +   #    + ++++#     +    #      +     + +++ 19 24 * Calm, Deadpan
    +  +  ++   + # ++    +     + ## #            +     14 20 * Breaking the 4th Wall
  + +       ## #    +    +       +        +#  #  +     12 17 * Jewish References
 +     ++  #####++# +   ++ + +  +   +# +     +##+#  +  26 42 * Shrugging
         +   + + +   ++   +       +                     8  8 * Fainting
   +###  #   ### +    + +++  #+   #++#  +#+   + #      24 41 * Women Swoon
      #                  #  +            ##             5  9 * Dad is a Masher
      +       +                + +      #        +      6  7 * Dad is Unobservant
++ +####+ ## ##++#+##++++# #+++++# ++# ++  # #+++# +   42 83 * Disguises
        +                + +     ++#                 +  7  8 * Deception
++++#  + ++# ++++ #+ +#++# #+++# #+++  +## +++ ++      37 47 * Villains/Adversaries
  +     ++  ++ #     ++ # ++ +  ++  ++ #   ++ +#       21 25 * Lookalikes Galore
+  #+++ ++#++  ++  + +   #  #  ###   + #    ## # + #++ 28 49 * Little Fat Nothing
     +  ++ + ++  # +  ++#  +++++#+ + + +# + ## + +     27 39 * Fat, Fat, Water Rat
#++   +  ++     +  + #++ +     +  + +   + +  +     +   19 21 * Eating
    # +  + #   +  +#+#+##+  #+ #+    #  #+#+   ++    # 25 38 * Sleeping
+###########++++++++++++++++++##+###++ #++#+++#+++ + # 51 76 * Sound-Effects
++ ## #++++ #++ + +## ##+ ## #+####+ # +# +++++# +   + 39 69 * Butt Jokes
         + +       + +  #  +   +  #    #       +#      11 15 * Squishing
                #+++++      ++ +   # +  +   ++         14 17 * Splashing
    ++   ++ ++   +  +  +       +   +         +         12 12 * Stopping by Sticking Out Feet
         +    #   + + ++++    # +    +     +     #     13 17 * Boxer Shorts
          ++               #        +        +   +      6  7 * Baby Herbie
             + +                   +                    3  3 * Mountain Top Placement
               +                    +    +      +       4  4 * Animal Love
                +    +        ++   +++         + +      9  9 * Buck Teeth
     +       +  +  +  +     + +  ++                     9  9 * Handy Items
                   +   +       +   +   +       +        6  6 * Plunger Jokes
         +      +                  +                    3  3 * Two-Headed Adversaries
abcde1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011121314151617181920212223DFA         total examples: 1547
.--.+-+--#+--#-++--+++#++#---#+#+#+### ++--+-#+#+#   .         themes per orig story: 21.1 (1.7 / page)

Order themes by: Theme Category | Example Count | When Created | When Updated | Theme Label | Theme Name


Recurring Story Lines

1. Dad's Ideas

Created: 2004-10-15

Updated: 2008-11-24

Stories: 11  Examples: 22

Herbie Popnecker examples: Dad's Ideas

2. The Unknown

Created: 2005-03-09

Updated: 2008-09-11

Stories: 11  Examples: 18

Herbie Popnecker examples: The Unknown

Herbie's Amazing Powers

1. Travels Back in Time

Created: 2004-10-19

Updated: 2008-11-23

Stories: 15  Examples: 26

Herbie Popnecker examples: Travels Back in Time

2. Famous

Created: 2004-10-07

Updated: 2008-12-03

Stories: 47  Examples: 84

Herbie Popnecker examples: Famous

3. Virtuous

Created: 2008-12-14

Updated: 2008-12-16

Stories: 15  Examples: 17

Herbie Popnecker examples: Virtuous

4. Talks with Animals

Created: 2004-10-07

Updated: 2008-12-07

Stories: 39  Examples: 59

Herbie Popnecker examples: Talks with Animals

5. Hypnotic Eyes

Created: 2004-10-06

Updated: 2008-12-15

Stories: 22  Examples: 29

Herbie Popnecker examples: Hypnotic Eyes

6. Communicates Mysteriously

Created: 2005-03-14

Updated: 2008-12-07

Stories: 6  Examples: 6

Herbie Popnecker examples: Communicates Mysteriously

7. Lollipops

Created: 2004-11-10

Updated: 2008-12-21

Stories: 32  Examples: 56

Herbie Popnecker examples: Lollipops

8. Bop you with this here lollipop

Created: 2004-10-16

Updated: 2008-11-24

Stories: 24  Examples: 35

Herbie Popnecker examples: Bop you with this here lollipop

9. Biting

Created: 2004-10-07

Updated: 2008-11-26

Stories: 13  Examples: 18

Herbie Popnecker examples: Biting

10. Punching

Created: 2004-11-13

Updated: 2009-01-22

Stories: 16  Examples: 26

Herbie Popnecker examples: Punching

11. Tickling

Created: 2005-03-10

Updated: 2008-10-24

Stories: 1  Examples: 1

Herbie Popnecker examples: Tickling

12. Lightning Bolts

Created: 2005-03-09

Updated: 2008-11-10

Stories: 6  Examples: 6

Herbie Popnecker examples: Lightning Bolts

13. Swinging Adversaries

Created: 2005-02-09

Updated: 2008-12-07

Stories: 14  Examples: 16

Herbie Popnecker examples: Swinging Adversaries

14. Can't be Hurt

Created: 2004-10-21

Updated: 2008-12-03

Stories: 21  Examples: 32

Herbie Popnecker examples: Can't be Hurt

15. Breaking In, Out, and Through

Created: 2004-11-06

Updated: 2008-11-24

Stories: 15  Examples: 21

Herbie Popnecker examples: Breaking In, Out, and Through

16. Strong

Created: 2005-09-22

Updated: 2008-11-04

Stories: 7  Examples: 10

Herbie Popnecker examples: Strong

17. Flying

Created: 2005-03-13

Updated: 2008-12-03

Stories: 49  Examples: 94

Herbie Popnecker examples: Flying

18. Travels in Space

Created: 2004-11-12

Updated: 2008-12-21

Stories: 10  Examples: 13

Herbie Popnecker examples: Travels in Space

19. Travels Underground

Created: 2004-11-06

Updated: 2008-09-06

Stories: 4  Examples: 5

Herbie Popnecker examples: Travels Underground

20. Travels in Water

Created: 2004-11-06

Updated: 2008-11-22

Stories: 7  Examples: 8

Herbie Popnecker examples: Travels in Water

21. Travels Mysteriously

Created: 2005-03-14

Updated: 2008-11-24

Stories: 14  Examples: 18

Herbie Popnecker examples: Travels Mysteriously

22. Invisible

Created: 2004-11-07

Updated: 2008-11-22

Stories: 5  Examples: 6

Herbie Popnecker examples: Invisible

23. Magical Powers

Created: 2004-11-14

Updated: 2008-11-29

Stories: 12  Examples: 20

Herbie Popnecker examples: Magical Powers

Gags

1. Says 'Something...?'

Created: 2004-11-17

Updated: 2008-12-15

Stories: 9  Examples: 10

Herbie Popnecker examples: Says 'Something...?'

2. Says 'HO-HUM'

Created: 2008-12-01

Updated: 2008-12-21

Stories: 8  Examples: 9

Herbie Popnecker examples: Says 'HO-HUM'

3. Says 'OH-OH'

Created: 2008-12-01

Updated: 2008-12-03

Stories: 6  Examples: 7

Herbie Popnecker examples: Says 'OH-OH'

4. Says 'TCH, TCH'

Created: 2008-12-01

Updated: 2008-12-21

Stories: 20  Examples: 25

Herbie Popnecker examples: Says 'TCH, TCH'

5. Says 'Always Trouble'

Created: 2008-12-01

Updated: 2008-12-02

Stories: 8  Examples: 9

Herbie Popnecker examples: Says 'Always Trouble'

6. Says-Schmez

Created: 2005-07-30

Updated: 2008-12-04

Stories: 11  Examples: 14

Herbie Popnecker examples: Says-Schmez

7. Says 'UH-UH'

Created: 2008-12-01

Updated: 2008-12-07

Stories: 9  Examples: 12

Herbie Popnecker examples: Says 'UH-UH'

8. Says 'WANNA'

Created: 2008-12-01

Updated: 2008-12-14

Stories: 24  Examples: 33

Herbie Popnecker examples: Says 'WANNA'

9. Says 'Hate Something'

Created: 2008-12-01

Updated: 2008-12-07

Stories: 11  Examples: 13

Herbie Popnecker examples: Says 'Hate Something'

10. Says 'Wiseguy'

Created: 2008-12-01

Updated: 2008-12-13

Stories: 10  Examples: 12

Herbie Popnecker examples: Says 'Wiseguy'

11. Impatient/Busy/Rushed

Created: 2008-12-14

Updated: 2008-12-14

Stories: 14  Examples: 15

Herbie Popnecker examples: Impatient/Busy/Rushed

12. Appreciates the Finer Things

Created: 2008-11-09

Updated: 2008-12-15

Stories: 16  Examples: 17

Herbie Popnecker examples: Appreciates the Finer Things

13. Calm, Deadpan

Created: 2004-10-05

Updated: 2008-12-03

Stories: 19  Examples: 24

Herbie Popnecker examples: Calm, Deadpan

14. Breaking the 4th Wall

Created: 2005-03-13

Updated: 2008-12-11

Stories: 14  Examples: 20

Herbie Popnecker examples: Breaking the 4th Wall

15. Jewish References

Created: 2005-07-30

Updated: 2008-12-03

Stories: 12  Examples: 17

Herbie Popnecker examples: Jewish References

16. Shrugging

Created: 2004-11-07

Updated: 2008-12-16

Stories: 26  Examples: 42

Herbie Popnecker examples: Shrugging

17. Fainting

Created: 2008-11-29

Updated: 2008-11-29

Stories: 8  Examples: 8

Herbie Popnecker examples: Fainting

18. Women Swoon

Created: 2004-11-14

Updated: 2004-11-14

Stories: 24  Examples: 41

Herbie Popnecker examples: Women Swoon

19. Dad is a Masher

Created: 2008-10-23

Updated: 2008-10-24

Stories: 5  Examples: 9

Herbie Popnecker examples: Dad is a Masher

20. Dad is Unobservant

Created: 2008-10-23

Updated: 2008-10-24

Stories: 6  Examples: 7

Herbie Popnecker examples: Dad is Unobservant

21. Disguises

Created: 2004-11-09

Updated: 2008-11-22

Stories: 42  Examples: 83

Herbie Popnecker examples: Disguises

22. Deception

Created: 2008-11-21

Updated: 2008-12-05

Stories: 7  Examples: 8

Herbie Popnecker examples: Deception

23. Villains/Adversaries

Created: 2005-10-02

Updated: 2008-12-03

Stories: 37  Examples: 47

Herbie Popnecker examples: Villains/Adversaries

24. Lookalikes Galore

Created: 2004-10-02

Updated: 2009-02-22

Stories: 21  Examples: 25

Herbie Popnecker examples: Lookalikes Galore

25. Little Fat Nothing

Created: 2004-10-13

Updated: 2008-12-03

Stories: 28  Examples: 49

Herbie Popnecker examples: Little Fat Nothing

26. Fat, Fat, Water Rat

Created: 2005-03-09

Updated: 2008-11-24

Stories: 27  Examples: 39

Herbie Popnecker examples: Fat, Fat, Water Rat

27. Eating

Created: 2004-10-15

Updated: 2008-12-07

Stories: 19  Examples: 21

Herbie Popnecker examples: Eating

28. Sleeping

Created: 2004-10-17

Updated: 2008-12-13

Stories: 25  Examples: 38

Herbie Popnecker examples: Sleeping

29. Sound-Effects

Created: 2008-11-22

Updated: 2008-11-23

Stories: 51  Examples: 76

Herbie Popnecker examples: Sound-Effects

30. Butt Jokes

Created: 2005-02-05

Updated: 2008-12-21

Stories: 39  Examples: 69

Herbie Popnecker examples: Butt Jokes

31. Squishing

Created: 2003-03-09

Updated: 2008-10-30

Stories: 11  Examples: 15

Herbie Popnecker examples: Squishing

32. Splashing

Created: 2008-11-24

Updated: 2008-12-21

Stories: 14  Examples: 17

Herbie Popnecker examples: Splashing

33. Stopping by Sticking Out Feet

Created: 2008-11-20

Updated: 2008-11-23

Stories: 12  Examples: 12

Herbie Popnecker examples: Stopping by Sticking Out Feet

34. Boxer Shorts

Created: 2004-11-11

Updated: 2008-11-10

Stories: 13  Examples: 17

Herbie Popnecker examples: Boxer Shorts

35. Baby Herbie

Created: 2004-11-12

Updated: 2008-10-23

Stories: 6  Examples: 7

Herbie Popnecker examples: Baby Herbie

36. Mountain Top Placement

Created: 2004-10-04

Updated: 2008-10-23

Stories: 3  Examples: 3

Herbie Popnecker examples: Mountain Top Placement

37. Animal Love

Created: 2004-11-12

Updated: 2004-11-12

Stories: 4  Examples: 4

Herbie Popnecker examples: Animal Love

38. Buck Teeth

Created: 2004-11-12

Updated: 2008-12-07

Stories: 9  Examples: 9

Herbie Popnecker examples: Buck Teeth

39. Handy Items

Created: 2004-11-12

Updated: 2008-11-24

Stories: 9  Examples: 9

Herbie Popnecker examples: Handy Items

40. Plunger Jokes

Created: 2005-02-07

Updated: 2008-11-22

Stories: 6  Examples: 6

Herbie Popnecker examples: Plunger Jokes

41. Two-Headed Adversaries

Created: 2005-03-09

Updated: 2008-11-25

Stories: 3  Examples: 3

Herbie Popnecker examples: Two-Headed Adversaries