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Back in its heyday, Cartoon Network had its fair share of animated darlings, and the answer would vary depending on who’s being asked. As one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time, Ben 10 will likely be on the list, but years of radio silence have put it in a long-dormant state.
It wouldn’t be until last year’s New York Comic-Con that a new project was announced, taking the form of a comic book series to be published by Dynamite Comics. Launching on 6 May, it marks the reunion of the original Man of Action Entertainment (MOA) team, with series creator Joe Casey spearheading an initial story arc alongside artist Robert Carey. The other members, Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau, and Steven T. Seagle, will take turns to craft individual narratives for subsequent outings.
“As original creators of the entire Ben 10 phenomenon, this comic book is a huge deal for us,” said Casey. “For Ben 10 fans, both new and old, we’re committed to giving you everything you could possibly want in this series. We’ve got every previous incarnation to draw from, and we’re not holding anything back. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… this is the most ‘Absolute’ Ben 10 you can get!”
The first issue is set to feature a revamped origin story, character and monster redesigns, and an action-oriented focus, with the preview pages showing Ben, Gwen, and Grandpa Max on a camping trip — a nod to the first episode of the 2005 show. While investigating a nearby meteor crash, Ben discovers the mysterious Omnitrix among the wreckage, and before long, a new superhero is born.
Beyond the opener, the Ben 10 comics will explore a wider range of tones and themes, including drama, comedy, tragedy, and surrealism, and flesh out the mythology with accessible short story arcs. When it debuts on 6 May, the pilot issue is also available in variant covers by Rouleau, Dustin Nguyen, Sebastian Piriz, and Eric Canete.
The Emmy-winning cartoon follows Ben Tennyson, who uses the Omnitrix — a high-tech, extraterrestrial device shaped like a wristwatch that contains the DNA of various alien species — to transform into them at will. As of 2024, its five concluded series are split into two continuities: the classic continuity, comprising the original and its sequels, Ben 10: Alien Force, Ultimate Alien, and Omniverse, as well as the reboot continuity of Ben 10 (2016 to 2021).
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
A'bidah Zaid
