The character was initially conceived for The New Fantastic Four and integrated into the comics continuity shortly afterwards.

will appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025).

[1] A popular, but false urban myth contends that the character was replaced due to fears that children might attempt to emulate him by setting themselves on fire.

[1] Needing a fourth member to round out the team, Stan Lee pitched the idea for a cute robot sidekick and artist Jack Kirby, who had been hired as a storyboard artist for DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, designed it.

Shortly after its premiere, the character was introduced to the comics continuity by writer Marv Wolfman and artist John Byrne.

first appeared in comics in Fantastic Four #209 (August 1979), and was adapted from the cartoon character by Marv Wolfman and John Byrne.

[3] The character subsequently appears in Fantastic Four #210-213 (September–December 1979), #215-217 (February–April 1980), #242 (May 1982), #244 (July 1982), Fantastic Four #3 (March 1998), Marvel Holiday Special (2004), Exiles #72 (January 2006), Fantastic Four #534 (March 2006), X-Men #181 (March 2006), Franklin Richards One Shot (April 2006), X-Men/Runaways #1 (May 2006), The Sensational Spider-Man #25 (June 2006), Fantastic Four: A Death in the Family (July 2006), Franklin Richards: Super Summer Spectacular (September 2006), Franklin Richards: Happy Franksgiving!

received an entry in the All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #5 (2006).

[citation needed] He appears as a part of the Black Knight’s sanctuary.

's presence, and the villain Blastaar suddenly escaped from the Negative Zone, nobody suspects that H.E.R.B.I.E.

[5] After Sun's attempt to assassinate the Fantastic Four with Blastaar failed, Dr. Sun reveals himself at last, trapping the Invisible Woman and the Human Torch within the Baxter Building's security system and besting Mister Fantastic and Thing with H.E.R.B.I.E.

It is explained that this one had been built partly to keep an eye on Franklin's developing powers.

Said powers fluctuate due to Franklin's failure to solve a Rubik's Cube and a nearby TV show urging someone to 'grow up'.

robots are eventually built throughout the years, serving general duties around the Baxter Building.

has served as the guardian and companion for Franklin Richards and his sister Valeria.

[volume & issue needed] A mistake leaves the Fantastic Four lost in time and other heroes running the Baxter Building.

It is also revealed that in the comic book continuity, Johnny Storm did not show up to a meeting with a cartoon company, therefore H.E.R.B.I.E.

's inhibitor chip, allowing him to express to Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman how much he hates them.

These versions come in small, hovering models and large mechs that serve as guards.