Herbie Comes Back - The Fat Nothing Seems to Be Something

Herbie Popnecker...the little fat boy who could!

After making his debut quietly in ACG's Forbidden Worlds #73, the fan boy populace was apparently made up of the same demographic in 1958 as it is now, and they clamoured for more. More of this subtley sly humor feature popping up in the midst of theis sci-fi adventures, in #94 of the same title.

Assumedly there is something very relatable about this little nothing who secretly knows he has powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. But I think there's something more than just that marketers breakdown of the appeal of this cult favorite.

I just can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe I'll learn by reading more...

There's analysis aplenty out there of our stubby little hero that no one seems (at least in his own household) seems to appreciate. Check out this breakdown of abilities Herbie would, over time display.

But the charm of this guy is far and away beyond any listing of his abilities. There's something very drawing to this little chub-pack. I guess we'll just have to read on...more tomorrow.

Since Bob Wills took a stab at this little Fred rose tune that seems to be a Nostradamus like prediction of what was to come...Willie Nelson tried his hand at it just a few years before The Fat Fury made the scene...

Eerie, huh? Not really.

Talk to you soon.

Herbie Popnecker - the Fat Little Nothing

The mystery of Herbie Popnecker. The Fat Fury. The Fat Little Nothing.

I've heard of this humor feature for the last 25 years and still don't know all about it or it's appeal...yet it's still appealing to me.

Herbie debuted in the December 1958 issue of ACG's "Forbidden Worlds", an anthology sci-fi/fantasy book, and later went on to star in a book of his own. Created by a man named Ogden Whitney, it became a cult hit and minor commercial success heralded, by among others Alan Moore (in my opinion the best writers in comics of the last 30 years) and I seem to remember reading some Hollywood director (Steven Speilberg comes to mind, but I can't recall for sure).

The book was drawn by Whitney in a decidedly illustrative and bland style, a true product of the homogonous 1950's and that seems to be a deliberate part of the humor. Herbie was a fat little nothing...yet had amazing abilities...abilities he viewed as "no big deal".

See for yourself...

Charming, well drawn (dramatic by NOT being dramatic), and curious.

I can't give you much analysis, but check here and here to read up on what I DO know.

Did Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys foresee the coming of Herbie 13 years earlier when they cut this Fred Rose tune?

Probably not. As curious as Herbie Popnecker I'd say. Hmmmmmm.

Talk to you soon.