CGC Featured Comic of the Month: Fantastic Four #209

Posted on 3/3/2025

Before you see Fantastic Four in theaters this summer, get to know H.E.R.B.I.E., the team’s unexpected robotic sidekick, as he makes his debut in Fantastic Four #209!


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Name: Fantastic Four #209

Comic publisher: Marvel Comics

Date: August 1979

Variants: There is a newsstand and direct edition, as well as a Mark Jewelers Variant.

What makes it special? In this issue, comic book readers were introduced to the robot H.E.R.B.I.E., who first appeared in the 1978 Fantastic Four animated series, created to replace the Human Torch (Johnny Storm) due to licensing issues that prevented his inclusion in the series. While fan response to the cartoon series was mixed, H.E.R.B.I.E eventually became a favorite in the comics.

Why is it interesting now? From screen to comic and back to screen again, H.E.R.B.I.E is set to make his live-action debut alongside the full team, including Johnny Storm, in the upcoming 2025 film “Fantastic Four: First Steps” — marking the team's introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Did you know? According to his biography on Marvel.com, H.E.R.B.I.E stands for Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics

Graded highlights: As of February 24, 2025, there were 335 examples of Fantastic Four #209 in the CGC Census, with 81 graded CGC 9.8.

Sales highlights: A CGC 9.8 copy realized $380 in an eBay auction in February 2025.

CGC Comics Registry Champion: Member Shivabali has a Fantastic Four #209 graded CGC 9.8 in their collection, Shiva FF complete w/ variants, along with many more fantastic issues from the series.

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CGC Featured Comic of the Month: Fantastic Four #209

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