ew
network, new voices, same fantastic powers. Based on the
popular Marvel comic book characters, The Fantastic Four
made their second cartoon appearance with this late 70's
show.
Super stretchy scientist Mr. Fantastic, his wife The
Invisible Girl, and rocky orange The Thing were back in
action, but the foursome was now completed by a robot
named H.E.R.B., instead of the original Human Torch (whose
rights had been sold to another company for a solo
spin-off that never happened).
The addition of the robot, whose named was actually
pronounced Herb-E, was one of a few changes made when the
show resurfaced eight years after the original ABC series
left the air. Their mode of transportation had been
updated as well. Instead of tooling around in the old
U-car, Mr. Fantastic and company now used the high-tech
Fantasticar.
Fantastic Four co-creator Stan Lee wrote many of this
series' scripts himself, while his creative partner, Jack
Kirby, oversaw the design of the show's storyboards. Many
of the adventures were adapted directly from the comic
book's storylines, and as always, arch-nemesis Dr. Doom
reared his metal-plated head to menace both the Four and
the world.
Though the show was cancelled after one season, the
Thing made his third network TV appearance with that other
blockhead, Fred Flintstone, on The Flintstone Comedy Show.
The original foursome were reunited in 1994 for further
weekend adventures.