Herbie Popnecker

Herbie Popnecker
Examples of Recurring Themes

(Welcome to HerbiePopnecker.com)

Page Header, with Links to Examples and a Catalog of Stories

Herbie Comic Covers
Follow @HerbiePopnecker on Twitter, or I'll bop you
The Fat Fury

Herbie Popnecker Examples:
Miscellaneous Collections:
Herbie Covers (Thumbnails)

Created: 2005-10-13     Updated: 2012-04-25  
Examples: 42    

Related:

All covers in the 1950s to 1960s were by Ogden Whitney unless otherwise noted. Seven were by Kurt Schaffenberger.

After the original Herbie stories, there were:

  • 6 reprints from A-Plus (1990-91),
  • 2 reprints from Dark Horse (with one new story, 1992),
  • 1 Flaming Carrot #31 with a new story (1994),
  • 1 America's Comic Group Return of Herbie with a new story (1996), and
  • 3 America's Comic Group reprint collections (1998-99).

Index terms: Dan Day, Roger Broughton, Bob Burden, Jorge Pacheco, John Byrne, HBender, Trina Robbins, Kurt Schaffenberger, Ogden Whitney, thumbnails, Richard E. Hughes

Source: Forbidden Worlds #73 (1958-12)
Updated: 2012-03-04
Description: WWII pilot clinging to a mast of a pirate ship
Notes: Approved by the Comics Code Authority. Tagline is "Stories of Strange Adventure"
Story 1 Herbie's Quiet Saturday Afternoon!
Cover Scan Catalog Indicia
Forbidden Worlds #73
Source: Forbidden Worlds #94 (1961-03)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Green alien looks at a hand-sized human through an optical device
Notes: Bottom of page notes return of Herbie: "He's back again! Herbie Popnecker, the world's strangest boy, tackles the supernatural, in... 'Herbie and the Spirits!'"
Story 1 Herbie and the Spirits!
Cover Scan Catalog Indicia
Forbidden Worlds #94
Source: Unknown Worlds #20 (1962-12)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Tiger magically fades as it attacks a woman
Story 1 1,000 Years Ago in 1962!
Cover Scan Catalog Indicia
Unknown Worlds #20
Source: Forbidden Worlds #110 (1963-03)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Ghost reflected in crystal ball
Notes: "He's back folks! The world's strangest hero -- in an action packed thriller you'll never forget! Look...here's just one of the menaces Herbie comes up against!" Tagline is "Stories of Strange Adventure"
Cover: Ogden Whitney (assumed)
Story 1 Herbie and the Sneddiger's Salad Oil
Cover Scan Catalog Indicia
Forbidden Worlds #110
Source: Forbidden Worlds #114 (1963-09)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Merangans throwing spears at Herbie
Notes: Masthead of comic is "Forbidden Worlds presents Herbie". This is the first comic featuring Herbie on the cover.
Story 1 A Little Fat Nothing Named Herbie!
Cover Scan Catalog Indicia Oddball
Forbidden Worlds #114
Source: Forbidden Worlds #116 (1963-11)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie and Miss "Baylor"' (as Cleopatra). The actress says "HERBIE...MY LOVER! I just can't wait for you to come to me!"
Notes: Masthead of comic is "Forbidden Worlds presents Herbie". This is the final appearance of Herbie on a Forbidden Worlds cover; Herbie gets his own series in April 1964.
Cover: Ogden Whitney (assumed)
Story 1 Herbie Goes to the Devil!
Cover Scan Catalog Indicia Oddball
Forbidden Worlds #116
Prime Example:
Source: Herbie #1 (1964-04)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie tows George Washington and his troops across the Delaware. The general says "What do you mean, impossible? That's HERBIE!"
Notes: First comic devoted to Herbie. Masthead reads "Make Way for the Fat Fury..." and Herbie's physique is worked into the R in HERBIE. Contains a two-page text story "The Triumph of Eibreh Rekcenpop" in which Eibreh Rekcenpop helps out Pincus Popnecker's favorite football team, the New York Giants, beat the Green Bay Packers 4,236 to 0.
Story 1 Herbie and the Dragon's Tears!
Story 2 Herbie Beards Castro!
Cover Catalog Indicia
Prime Example :
Source: Herbie #2 (1964-06)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie and police walking through newspaper with headline "Mystery Man Captured by Police"
Notes: Contains a two-page text story "Lollipop Astronaut" in which Dad gets Herbie onto a mission to Planet Fink. Problem is, there are only officers and Herbie is the crew. Herbie bails out the mission over and over, but never receives credit. Herbie's father is resigned to the fact that his son is a Little Fat Nothing, and that's all he'll ever be.
Story 1 Herbie and the Purloined Pops!
Story 2 What You Need is a Girl, Herbie!
Cover Catalog Indicia
Herbie #2
Source: Herbie #3 (1964-08)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie walking on air away from two scoundrels hanging on a skyscraper. One yells "H-HELP! W-what are you going to do to us, Herbie?"
Notes: This cover is the first time Herbie says the whole phrase "You want I should bop you with this here lollipop?" Contains a two-page text story "Herbie's Typical Tuesday" in which Herbie is resting and overhears that his mother let the car roll into a lake; Herbie gets it out and dries it with a searching look. Later, he learns that his father has bought land to build a golf course, unfortunately with a mountain on it; Herbie uses a hard-to-get cinnamon lollipop to take care of the problem.
Story 1 Herbie and the Loch Ness Monster!
Story 2 Popnecker Saves the Poorhouse!
Cover Catalog Indicia
Herbie #3
Source: Herbie #4 (1964-09)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie and Wyatt Earp in gunfight. The marshall says "Draw, consarn yuh, Herbie... DRAW!"
Story 1 Big Fat Mess at the Okay Corral!
Story 2 Professor Flipdome's Screwy Machine!
Cover Catalog Indicia
Herbie #4
Source: Herbie #5 (1964-10)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie in turban and not much else charms a cobra as an officer looks on
Story 1 Sahib Herbie!
Story 2 Herbie, Boy 'Beetle!'
Cover Catalog Indicia
Herbie #5
Source: Herbie #6 (1964-12)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie, in caveman garb, being dragged by his hair into cave by Ticklepuss, his female twin. He shrugs as he says "DARE you to see how I got into this fix!"
Notes: First cover Breaking the Fourth Wall and Shrugging
Story 1 A Caveman Named Herbie!
Story 2 Space-Age Herbie!
Cover Catalog Indicia
Herbie #6
Source: Herbie #7 (1965-02)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie slicing pants off of pirates, exposing their boxer shorts. Herbie says "Here's where pants market takes big fall."
Cover: Ogden Whitney (assumed)
Story 1 Good Old Peepwhistle!
Story 2 High Spirits!
Cover Catalog Indicia
Herbie #7
Source: Herbie #8 (1965-03)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Fat Fury in flight. "A Mystery Man... A Hooded Avenger... A Plump Lump! WHO IS HE?"
Notes: First Fat Fury appearance and cover
Story 1 Make Way for the Fat Fury!
Story 2 George Washington's Teeth!
Cover Catalog Indicia Oddball
Herbie #8
Source: Herbie #9 (1965-04)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie playing football, carrying football with his teeth.
Story 1 Lookit All the Herbies!
Story 2 Only Robin Hood Can Help You, Herbie!
Cover Catalog Indicia
Herbie #9
Source: Herbie #10 (1965-06)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Fat Fury riding bomb. Frightened bird squawks "YI! It's the FAT FURY!"
Story 1 Plump Lump vs. Black Whack!
Story 2 Ticklepuss Rides Again!
Cover Catalog Indicia Oddball
Herbie #10
Source: Herbie #11 (1965-08)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie riding sea serpent before Columbus' boats. Herbie commands "GIDDAP!"
Story 1 Beware of the B-Bomb, Buster!
Story 2 Christopher Columbus Popnecker!
Cover Catalog Indicia Oddball
Herbie #11
Source: Herbie #12 (1965-09)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Fat Fury and gorilla in tunnel of love. Fat Fury says "UH-UH! No gorilla around HERE!"
Story 1 Good Gosh, the Gorilla!
Story 2 Pincus Popnecker, Private Eye!
Cover Catalog Indicia Oddball
Herbie #12
Source: Herbie #13 (1965-10)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie in Mountie uniform, pointing musket at walrus, who points the barrel back at Herbie, who says "Something WRONG here."
Notes: Contains a two-page story: "The Hard Day of Murgatroyd Minch!" about a skinny fan who wants to be just like the Fat Fury.
Story 1 Pirate Gold!
Story 2 Mom's New Coat!
Cover Catalog Indicia Oddball
Herbie #13
Source: Herbie #14 (1965-12)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Magicman and Nemesis crash heads in mid air, while the Fat Fury shrugs.
Notes: First Superhero Crossover (with Magicman from Forbidden Worlds and Nemesis from Adventures into the Unknown).
Story 1 Gangway For the Three Musketeers!
Story 2 Herbie Claus is Coming to Town!
Cover Catalog Indicia Oddball
Herbie #14
Source: Herbie #15 (1966-02)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie (in tortoise shell) being spit out by dinosaur, who exclaims "PTOOEY! PHOO!" Herbie thinks "So help me, I'LL BOP HIM WITH THIS HERE LOLLIPOP!"
Cover: Kurt Schaffenberger
Story 1 Call Me Schlemiehl!
Story 2 Herbie Goes Nap-Happy!
Cover Catalog Indicia
Herbie #15
Source: Herbie #16 (1966-03)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Foo-Manchoo says "Two heads better than one. We CLOBBER FAT FURY!" as they zap Fat Fury in the butt.
Story 1 Don't Mess Around With the Fat Fury!
Story 2 It's Love, Lover!
Cover Catalog Indicia Oddball
Herbie #16
Source: Herbie #17 (1966-04)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Indian medicine man doing rain dance to drench Herbie in pilgrim's outfit. Herbie points to medicine man with thumb, saying "WISE GUY."
Cover: Kurt Schaffenberger
Story 1 Popnecker the Pilgrim!
Story 2 Herbie and the Spirits!
Cover Catalog Indicia
Herbie #17
Source: Herbie #18 (1966-06)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Fat Fury vs. Fat Fury robot on top of hot-air balloon. Fat Fury says "TCH, TCH. Should never lose head in fight."
Cover: Kurt Schaffenberger
Story 1 Calling All Cars! Bring In Fat Fury!
Story 2 Clear the Road For Skinny!
Cover Catalog Indicia Oddball
Herbie #18
Source: Herbie #19 (1966-08)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie, Cleopatra, and mummy
Cover: Kurt Schaffenberger
Story 1 Race Through Space!
Story 2 Egyptian Conniption!
Cover Catalog Indicia Oddball
Herbie #19
Source: Herbie #20 (1966-09)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Fat Fury flying into oven as Dracula holds door open. Fat Fury says "OOPS! MISSED AGAIN." and Dracula laughs "HA-HA-EEEEE!"
Cover: Kurt Schaffenberger
Story 1 Pass a Piece of Pizza, Please!
Story 2 Adventure at the Center of the Earth!
Cover Catalog Indicia Oddball
Herbie #20
Source: Herbie #21 (1966-10)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Alligator football player kicking football with embedded Herbie, who wonders "TCH, TCH. How do I get out of THIS one?"
Story 1 Yay, Team!
Story 2 A Viking To Your Liking!
Cover Catalog Indicia Oddball
Herbie #21
Source: Herbie #22 (1966-12)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Fat Fury upsets villain Magical Moe on flying bike. Fat Fury incants "ALLEGA-POOP!"
Cover: Kurt Schaffenberger
Story 1 Just Like Magic!
Story 2 Almost a King!
Cover Catalog Indicia
Herbie #22
Source: Herbie #23 (1967-02)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie shrugging in boxing ring with muscular bear
Notes: Last comic in the Herbie series. Compare the Schaffenberger bear on the cover to the Whitney bear on the splash page.
Cover: Kurt Schaffenberger
Story 1 Can You Bear It?
Story 2 Herbie's Quiet Saturday Afternoon!
Cover Catalog Indicia Oddball
Herbie #23
Source: A-Plus Herbie #1 (1990)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Fat Fury walking on air, carrying Batman and Spiderman's costumes, says "They're not so tough."
Notes: Consists of black+white reproductions of the original artwork
Cover: Color cover art is signed Trina Robbins '90 for Ogden Whitney (artist for original Herbie series)
Story 1 Herbie and the Spirits!
Story 2 Make Way for the Fat Fury!
Story 3 Christopher Columbus Popnecker!
Cover Catalog
A-Plus Herbie #1
Source: A-Plus Herbie #2 (1990)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie, dressed as Uncle Sam, points at the reader with one hand and holds a patriotic lollipop in the other.
Notes: Consists of black+white reproductions of the original artwork
Story 1 Herbie's Quiet Saturday Afternoon!
Story 2 Popnecker the Pilgrim!
Story 3 George Washington's Teeth!
Cover Catalog
A-Plus Herbie #2
Source: A-Plus Herbie #3 (1990)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Cover shows Herbie, dressed in pirate garb, holding a lollipop menacingly.
Notes: Consists of black+white reproductions of the original artwork
Story 1 Pirate Gold!
Story 2 Herbie Claus is Coming to Town!
Cover Catalog
A-Plus Herbie #3
Source: A-Plus Herbie #4 (1991)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Fat Plains Drifter: Cover shows Herbie, dressed as a high plains drifter, sucking on a lollipop.
Notes: Consists of black+white reproductions of the original artwork
Story 1 Big Fat Mess at the Okay Corral!
Story 2 Clear the Road For Skinny!
Cover Catalog
A-Plus Herbie #4
Source: A-Plus Herbie #5 (1991)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Cover shows the Fat Fury, sitting on a pile of lollipops, shrugging characteristically.
Notes: This issue features back+white reprints of Herbie stories with Herbie's neighbor, Professor Flipdome.
Cover: HBender 91
Story 1 Professor Flipdome's Screwy Machine!
Story 2 Lookit All the Herbies!
Story 3 Adventure at the Center of the Earth!
Cover Catalog
A-Plus Herbie #5
Source: A-Plus Herbie #6 (1991)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie, disguised as Star Trek's Mr. Spock, using one hand to hold a lollipop and the other to give the Vulcan sign for "Live Long and Prosper".
Notes: This issue features two black+white reprints of Herbie in space.
Cover: Difficult to read name in lower left of cover; may be "David & Dan Day."
Story 1 Race Through Space!
Story 2 Space-Age Herbie!
Cover Catalog
A-Plus Herbie #6
Source: Dark Horse Herbie #1 (1992)
Updated: 2012-04-21
Description: Fat Fury sitting on Earth covered with lollipops in shape of USA and Mexico
Notes: Consists of one new story by John Byrne and two reprints from the original series, with new colors by James Brown. Editor for this issue: Mike Richardson.
Cover: John Byrne
Story 1 The Most Beautiful Mom in the World!
Story 2 Make Way for the Fat Fury!
Story 3 Professor Flipdome's Screwy Machine!
Cover Catalog
Dark Horse Herbie #1
Source: Dark Horse Herbie #2 (1992)
Updated: 2012-04-21
Description: Herbie dressed as a western sheriff, saying "FREEZE! or you want I should bop you with these here LOLLIPOPS."
Notes: Consists of reprints of three stories from the original series, newly colored by James Brown. Editor for this issue: Mike Richardson.
Cover: Jorge Pacheco
Story 1 Big Fat Mess at the Okay Corral!
Story 2 George Washington's Teeth!
Story 3 Ticklepuss Rides Again!
Cover Catalog
Dark Horse Herbie #2
Source: Flaming Carrot #31 (1994)
Updated: 2012-04-21
Description: Herbie walking on air behind Flaming Carrot, who thinks "Feel someone following me..."
Cover: Bob Burden
Story 1 Alas Poor Carrot! & The Boobs of Avon
Cover Catalog
Flaming Carrot #31
Source: ACG Return of Herbie #1 (1996)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie vs. hockey players. Herbie wears #99, the number worn by Wayne Gretsky on a jersey with a chess knight and a Canadian maple leaf. The hockey equipment shows several major manufacturers' names: Sher-wood, Easton, Christian, Cooper.
Notes: Before publication, this issue was sold as "Herbie Rides Again". First Issue! Editor: Rob Brown.
Cover: Dan Day
Story 1 Pass the Puck, Herbie
Story 2 1,000 Years Ago in 1962!
Cover Catalog
ACG Return of Herbie #1
Source: ACG Time Traveler Herbie #2 (1998)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie as Pirate in Time-Traveling Grandfather Clock
Cover: Dan Day '92
Story 1 Herbie Goes Nap-Happy!
Story 2 Christopher Columbus Popnecker!
Story 3 Pirate Gold!
Cover Catalog
ACG Time Traveler Herbie #2
Source: ACG Fat Fury #3 (1998)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie as Fat Fury
Notes: Consists of black+white reproductions of the original artwork
Story 1 Calling All Cars! Bring In Fat Fury!
Story 2 Make Way for the Fat Fury!
Cover Catalog
ACG Fat Fury #3
Source: ACG Spaced Out Herbie #4 (1999)
Updated: 2012-02-23
Description: Herbie as Mr. Spock from Star Trek
Notes: Consists of black+white reproductions of the original artwork
Cover: Dan Day
Story 1 Space-Age Herbie!
Story 2 Race Through Space!
Cover Catalog
ACG Spaced Out Herbie #4