Herbie Popnecker is unique among superheroes. Short and fat, he looks less like a superhero than any other, but he may be the most powerful.
Despite Herbie's fame, his money-worshiping father -- business bonehead and all-around idiot Pincus Popnecker, is unaware of Herbie's powers (powers Herbie tries to conceal from his parents) or the many villains Herbie faces -- often refers to Herbie as a "little fat nothing," especially when Herbie is sitting or sleeping or resting. Dad wishes that Herbie was a good student, a great athlete, or anything other than his unwanted son. Herbie shrugs off these criticisms, and sometimes Mom defends Herbie, although halfheartedly.
This page started when I realized that Herbie sometimes bit his adversaries. I compiled a few examples, adding to them occasionally, and eventually, it turned into an obsession. It represents all the examples of Herbie's powers, recurring gags, and oddities that I could find. It is not complete for some areas (Herbie's speech comes to mind, and not just his catchphrase), so it gets expanded sometimes. Some compilations might even be controversial (the one on Jewish references comes to mind, as well as racial stereotypes). I hope that the compilations can be used for scholarly work -- Herbiology™ -- but flipping through for fun is fine. I have used the examples to provide an explanation for Herbie's fatness, to document why I think Richard Hughes might have been a fan of Jay Ward productions (e.g., Rocky & Bullwinkle), and to explain why Herbie revival attempts have failed.
Some categories here inspired by Bob Hughes' The Popnecker Papers: A Herbie History, Amazing Heroes #173, November 1989.
Catalog of Stories | Covers and Indicia from Issues | Splash Pages and Ending Panels of Stories | Calendar | Captionless | Errors | Ads | Herbie's Background | Evolution of Herbie | Herbie's Creators
Order themes by: Theme Category | Story Count | Example Count | When Created | When Updated | Theme Label | Theme Name
1. Advertisements (misc)Created: 2012-02-17 Updated: 2013-01-14 Examples: 17 |
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2. Animal Love (gag)Created: 2004-11-12 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 9 Examples: 11 |
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3. Animated Inanimate Objects (gag)Created: 2014-12-09 Updated: 2014-12-09 Stories: 19 Examples: 29 |
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4. Appreciates the Finer Things (gag)Created: 2008-11-09 Updated: 2012-08-31 Stories: 29 Examples: 51 |
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5. Assorted Powers (super power)Created: 2012-03-24 Updated: 2012-04-18 Stories: 16 Examples: 20 |
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6. Baby Herbie (gag)Created: 2004-11-12 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 7 Examples: 8 |
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7. Background (misc)Created: 2012-03-11 Updated: 2012-08-31 Examples: 14 |
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8. Biting (super power)Created: 2004-10-07 Updated: 2012-12-31 Stories: 14 Examples: 19 |
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9. Bop you with this here lollipop (language)Created: 2004-10-16 Updated: 2012-05-18 Stories: 25 Examples: 35 |
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10. Boxer Shorts (gag)Created: 2004-11-11 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 13 Examples: 17 |
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11. Breaking In, Out, and Through (super power)Created: 2004-11-06 Updated: 2012-05-29 Stories: 15 Examples: 21 |
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12. Breaking the 4th Wall (gag)Created: 2005-03-13 Updated: 2013-01-05 Stories: 16 Examples: 22 |
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13. Buck Teeth (gag)Created: 2004-11-12 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 10 Examples: 10 |
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14. Butt Jokes (gag)Created: 2005-02-05 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 42 Examples: 75 |
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15. Calendar Examples (misc)Created: 2008-12-18 Updated: 2020-04-07 Examples: 29 |
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16. Calm, Deadpan (gag)Created: 2004-10-05 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 22 Examples: 29 |
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17. Can't be Hurt (super power)Created: 2004-10-21 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 21 Examples: 32 |
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18. Coated (gag)Created: 2012-05-10 Updated: 2012-05-10 Stories: 5 Examples: 7 |
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19. Comic Cover Pages (misc)Created: 2005-10-12 Updated: 2012-04-26 Examples: 42 |
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20. Communicates Mysteriously (super power)Created: 2005-03-14 Updated: 2012-05-10 Stories: 8 Examples: 8 |
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21. Dad is Unobservant (gag)Created: 2008-10-23 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 6 Examples: 7 |
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22. Dad is a Masher (gag)Created: 2008-10-23 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 5 Examples: 9 |
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23. Dad is an Idiot (gag)Created: 2011-12-29 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 12 Examples: 15 |
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24. Dad's Ideas (story subject)Created: 2004-10-15 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 11 Examples: 24 |
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25. Deception (gag)Created: 2008-11-21 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 14 Examples: 17 |
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26. Disguises (gag)Created: 2004-11-09 Updated: 2014-11-01 Stories: 43 Examples: 83 |
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27. Do it Myself (gag)Created: 2012-04-28 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 17 Examples: 19 |
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28. Easy Knowledge Quiz (misc)Created: 2013-01-11 Updated: 2013-03-16 Examples: 10 |
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29. Eating (gag)Created: 2004-10-15 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 19 Examples: 21 |
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30. Errors (misc)Created: 2005-10-12 Updated: 2012-05-29 Examples: 16 |
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31. Evolution of Herbie (misc)Created: 2012-03-03 Updated: 2012-08-31 Examples: 27 |
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32. Fainting (gag)Created: 2008-11-29 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 9 Examples: 10 |
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33. Falling (super power)Created: 2011-12-28 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 12 Examples: 15 |
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34. Famous (super power)Created: 2004-10-07 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 47 Examples: 85 |
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35. Fat, Fat, Water Rat (gag)Created: 2005-03-09 Updated: 2012-08-31 Stories: 28 Examples: 40 |
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36. Flying (super power)Created: 2005-03-13 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 49 Examples: 94 |
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37. Handy Items (gag)Created: 2004-11-12 Updated: 2012-04-25 Stories: 13 Examples: 13 |
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38. Herbie is Oblivious (gag)Created: 2011-12-28 Updated: 2012-04-11 Stories: 8 Examples: 9 |
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39. Herbie is Surrounded (gag)Created: 2012-05-05 Updated: 2013-01-05 Stories: 7 Examples: 10 |
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40. Herbie is Unwanted (gag)Created: 2012-03-21 Updated: 2013-01-12 Stories: 19 Examples: 25 |
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41. Herbie's Creators (misc)Created: 2012-03-16 Updated: 2012-04-27 Examples: 6 |
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42. Herbie's Secret Powers (gag)Created: 2011-12-26 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 6 Examples: 9 |
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43. Hypnotic Eyes (super power)Created: 2004-10-06 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 20 Examples: 27 |
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44. Impatient/Busy/Rushed (gag)Created: 2008-12-14 Updated: 2013-01-05 Stories: 19 Examples: 22 |
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45. In the Hammock (gag)Created: 2012-03-19 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 12 Examples: 14 |
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46. Intermediate Knowledge Quiz (misc)Created: 2013-01-14 Updated: 2013-03-16 Examples: 10 |
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47. Invisible (super power)Created: 2004-11-07 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 5 Examples: 6 |
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48. Jewish References (gag)Created: 2005-07-30 Updated: 2012-08-21 Stories: 17 Examples: 24 |
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49. Lightning Bolts (super power)Created: 2005-03-09 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 6 Examples: 6 |
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50. Little Fat Nothing (language)Created: 2004-10-13 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 28 Examples: 49 |
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51. Lollipops (super power)Created: 2004-11-10 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 31 Examples: 66 |
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52. Lookalikes Galore (gag)Created: 2004-10-02 Updated: 2012-05-10 Stories: 21 Examples: 25 |
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53. Love (story subject)Created: 2011-12-31 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 7 Examples: 19 |
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54. Magical Powers (super power)Created: 2004-11-14 Updated: 2012-04-26 Stories: 12 Examples: 20 |
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55. Methodical, Organized (gag)Created: 2012-02-29 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 6 Examples: 7 |
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56. Mom Reacting (gag)Created: 2012-03-10 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 13 Examples: 19 |
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57. Money Mania (gag)Created: 2012-02-26 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 8 Examples: 12 |
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58. Mountain Top Placement (gag)Created: 2004-10-04 Updated: 2012-04-24 Stories: 3 Examples: 3 |
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59. Nicknames (gag)Created: 2012-03-18 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 36 Examples: 59 |
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60. Patriotism (story subject)Created: 2012-05-13 Updated: 2012-05-18 Stories: 13 Examples: 14 |
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61. Plunger Jokes (gag)Created: 2005-02-07 Updated: 2013-03-16 Stories: 6 Examples: 6 |
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62. Publication Indicia (misc)Created: 2005-11-17 Updated: 2012-05-01 Examples: 29 |
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63. Publications about Herbie (misc)Created: 2013-02-17 Updated: 2013-03-17 Examples: 9 |
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64. Punching (super power)Created: 2004-11-13 Updated: 2012-04-11 Stories: 16 Examples: 27 |
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65. Says 'AH-HH' (language)Created: 2012-12-25 Updated: 2012-12-27 Stories: 17 Examples: 23 |
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66. Says 'AWAY' (language)Created: 2013-01-06 Updated: 2013-01-12 Stories: 7 Examples: 14 |
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67. Says 'Always Trouble' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-04-11 Stories: 8 Examples: 9 |
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68. Says 'BY GEORGE' (language)Created: 2012-12-24 Updated: 2012-12-30 Stories: 9 Examples: 12 |
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69. Says 'DURN' (language)Created: 2012-12-28 Updated: 2013-01-02 Stories: 10 Examples: 11 |
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70. Says 'GR-RR' (language)Created: 2012-12-28 Updated: 2013-01-02 Stories: 16 Examples: 20 |
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71. Says 'GULP' (language)Created: 2013-01-04 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 42 Examples: 72 |
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72. Says 'Gangway!' (language)Created: 2012-03-23 Updated: 2013-01-04 Stories: 8 Examples: 9 |
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73. Says 'HA-HA' (language)Created: 2012-12-30 Updated: 2012-12-30 Stories: 23 Examples: 40 |
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74. Says 'HAW-HAW' (language)Created: 2012-12-30 Updated: 2012-12-31 Stories: 17 Examples: 24 |
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75. Says 'HEH-HEH' (language)Created: 2012-12-30 Updated: 2013-01-03 Stories: 14 Examples: 21 |
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76. Says 'HELP' (language)Created: 2013-01-03 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 30 Examples: 50 |
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77. Says 'HO-HO' (language)Created: 2012-12-30 Updated: 2012-12-30 Stories: 7 Examples: 11 |
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78. Says 'HO-HUM' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-05-31 Stories: 9 Examples: 10 |
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79. Says 'HURRAH' (language)Created: 2012-12-31 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 11 Examples: 18 |
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80. Says 'Hate Something' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 11 Examples: 13 |
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81. Says 'OH, WELL...' (language)Created: 2012-12-27 Updated: 2012-12-27 Stories: 10 Examples: 10 |
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82. Says 'OH-OH' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-05-31 Stories: 10 Examples: 11 |
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83. Says 'OOF' (language)Created: 2012-12-29 Updated: 2013-01-11 Stories: 21 Examples: 28 |
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84. Says 'OUCH' (language)Created: 2012-12-31 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 26 Examples: 44 |
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85. Says 'PUFF' + 'PANT' (language)Created: 2012-12-29 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 15 Examples: 21 |
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86. Says 'SEE?' (language)Created: 2012-12-24 Updated: 2012-12-27 Stories: 18 Examples: 20 |
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87. Says 'SIGH' (language)Created: 2012-12-23 Updated: 2012-12-27 Stories: 14 Examples: 14 |
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88. Says 'Something...?' (language)Created: 2004-11-17 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 11 Examples: 13 |
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89. Says 'TCH, TCH' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 23 Examples: 30 |
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90. Says 'UGH' (language)Created: 2012-12-27 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 18 Examples: 21 |
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91. Says 'UH-UH' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-05-31 Stories: 15 Examples: 19 |
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92. Says 'ULP' (language)Created: 2013-01-02 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 22 Examples: 27 |
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93. Says 'URP!' (language)Created: 2012-12-26 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 17 Examples: 21 |
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94. Says 'WANNA...' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-05-14 Stories: 27 Examples: 38 |
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95. Says 'WELL, I'LL BE...' (language)Created: 2012-12-25 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 8 Examples: 8 |
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96. Says 'WHAT THE...' (language)Created: 2012-12-25 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 6 Examples: 8 |
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97. Says 'WHEW' (language)Created: 2012-12-27 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 8 Examples: 9 |
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98. Says 'WOE' (language)Created: 2012-12-23 Updated: 2012-12-27 Stories: 4 Examples: 4 |
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99. Says 'Wise Guy' (language)Created: 2008-12-01 Updated: 2012-05-31 Stories: 11 Examples: 14 |
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100. Says 'YESSIR' (language)Created: 2012-12-24 Updated: 2012-12-27 Stories: 16 Examples: 22 |
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101. Says 'YI!' (language)Created: 2012-12-26 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 9 Examples: 10 |
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102. Says 'YIPE!' (language)Created: 2012-12-26 Updated: 2013-01-01 Stories: 18 Examples: 22 |
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103. Says 'YOWP!' (language)Created: 2013-01-01 Updated: 2013-01-02 Stories: 12 Examples: 14 |
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104. Says 'YUK-YUK' (language)Created: 2012-12-30 Updated: 2012-12-29 Stories: 4 Examples: 5 |
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105. Says-Schmez (language)Created: 2005-07-30 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 11 Examples: 14 |
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106. School (story subject)Created: 2012-03-25 Updated: 2012-05-07 Stories: 10 Examples: 26 |
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107. Short (gag)Created: 2012-03-07 Updated: 2012-05-06 Stories: 12 Examples: 14 |
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108. Shrugging (gag)Created: 2004-11-07 Updated: 2012-06-13 Stories: 26 Examples: 44 |
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109. Silly Names (gag)Created: 2012-03-20 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 25 Examples: 35 |
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110. Similarities with Jay Ward Productions (misc)Created: 2012-04-20 Updated: 2012-09-01 Examples: 44 |
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111. Sitting (gag)Created: 2012-03-04 Updated: 2012-05-10 Stories: 20 Examples: 26 |
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112. Sleeping (gag)Created: 2004-10-17 Updated: 2012-05-22 Stories: 25 Examples: 40 |
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113. Sound-Effects (gag)Created: 2008-11-22 Updated: 2012-04-21 Stories: 51 Examples: 76 |
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114. Splashing (gag)Created: 2008-11-24 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 14 Examples: 17 |
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115. Sports (story subject)Created: 2011-12-31 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 19 Examples: 27 |
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116. Squishing (gag)Created: 2003-03-09 Updated: 2012-04-21 Stories: 11 Examples: 15 |
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117. Stereotypes (gag)Created: 2011-12-25 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 9 Examples: 12 |
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118. Stopping by Sticking Out Feet (gag)Created: 2008-11-20 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 14 Examples: 14 |
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119. Story Splash Pages (misc)Created: 2005-10-13 Updated: 2012-08-31 Examples: 55 |
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120. Story-Ending Panels (misc)Created: 2012-01-20 Updated: 2012-06-18 Examples: 52 |
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121. Strong (super power)Created: 2005-09-22 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 9 Examples: 12 |
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122. Swinging Adversaries (super power)Created: 2005-02-09 Updated: 2012-06-18 Stories: 14 Examples: 16 |
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123. Talks with Animals (super power)Created: 2004-10-07 Updated: 2012-04-20 Stories: 39 Examples: 59 |
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124. Tap-Tap (gag)Created: 2011-12-26 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 11 Examples: 16 |
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125. The Unknown (story subject)Created: 2005-03-09 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 11 Examples: 18 |
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126. Thinking (super power)Created: 2012-04-29 Updated: 2012-04-29 Stories: 26 Examples: 36 |
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127. Thumbnails of Covers (misc)Created: 2005-10-13 Updated: 2012-04-25 Examples: 42 |
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128. Travels Back in Time (super power)Created: 2004-10-19 Updated: 2012-05-15 Stories: 15 Examples: 27 |
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129. Travels Mysteriously (super power)Created: 2005-03-14 Updated: 2012-04-24 Stories: 14 Examples: 18 |
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130. Travels Underground (super power)Created: 2004-11-06 Updated: 2012-04-11 Stories: 4 Examples: 5 |
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131. Travels in Space (super power)Created: 2004-11-12 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 10 Examples: 13 |
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132. Travels in Water (super power)Created: 2004-11-06 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 8 Examples: 9 |
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133. Two-Headed Adversaries (gag)Created: 2005-03-09 Updated: 2013-01-06 Stories: 7 Examples: 9 |
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134. Uncaptioned Panels (misc)Created: 2012-02-21 Updated: 2014-11-17 Examples: 18 |
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135. Villains/Adversaries (story subject)Created: 2005-10-02 Updated: 2012-04-10 Stories: 35 Examples: 46 |
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136. Virtuous (super power)Created: 2008-12-14 Updated: 2012-05-16 Stories: 31 Examples: 39 |
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137. Warnings and Threats (language)Created: 2012-04-27 Updated: 2013-01-05 Stories: 10 Examples: 10 |
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138. Women Swoon (gag)Created: 2004-11-14 Updated: 2012-04-25 Stories: 24 Examples: 41 |
Order themes by: Theme Category | Story Count | Example Count | When Created | When Updated | Theme Label | Theme Name