Ben 10
| Ben 10 | |
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| Creator | Man of Action Studios (Duncan Rouleau, Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, and Steven T. Seagle) |
| Original work | Ben 10 |
| Films and television | |
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Ben 10 is an American animated TV series and media franchise created by Man of Action Studios. Ben 10 is produced by Cartoon Network Studios. The franchise revolves around a boy named Ben Tennyson who acquires a watch-like alien device (the Omnitrix) which allows the wearer to transform into ten different alien creatures.[2] The Ben 10 franchise has received wide critical acclaim, winning three Emmy Awards. Worldwide it has grossed over $4.5 billion in retail sales.[3][4] The franchise has four movies, all of which aired on Cartoon Network between August 2007 and March 2012.
Series
Original series
While on summer vacation Ben Tennyson stays with his grandfather, Max, and cousin, Gwen. During his stay Ben discovers the Omnitrix, an alien device which allows him to turn into various extraterrestrial life forms. Ben uses the device to avert disasters, save people from terror, and fight off hostile villains including Vilgax, an alien warlord bent on using the Omnitrix to outfit an alien army.
Alien Force
Five years after the summer vacation when Ben discovered the Omnitrix, it is taken by unknown means. A teenage Ben regains the Omnitrix while searching for his grandfather, who was abducted by a xenophobic alien race called the Highbreeds, determined to cleanse the earth of human beings. Ben's age causes the Omnitrix to reboot itself, granting him access to a new set of alien forms along with a few of his previous forms. Ben is joined in his search by Gwen and Kevin Levin, his former enemy, as they deal with the Highbreeds' universal extermination plan and later, Vilgax.
Ultimate Alien
After Ben's last battle with Vilgax which resulted in the destruction of the Omnitrix, Ben replaces it with the new Ultimatrix that allows him to evolve his alien forms into their ultimate forms. With the recent disclosure of his identity, Ben has become a worldwide celebrity. Meanwhile, Ben, Gwen, and Kevin must stop an Osmosian villain named Aggregor, who hunts new aliens from the Andromeda galaxy, and intends to use their powers to achieve the "ultimate prize". Later, Ben, Gwen, and Kevin have to prevent the release of an extra dimensional entity called Diagon and prevent him from taking over the universe.
Omniverse
After Ultimate Alien Ben gains a new, perfect Omnitrix that allows him to gain access to a new set of alien forms along with all the forms he has assumed prior. After Gwen goes away to college with Kevin accompanying her, Ben pairs up with a by-the-book rookie plumber, Rook Blonko. He is targeted by an intergalactic bounty hunter named Khyber who is working with an enemy from the youth's past, the mutated Galvanic Mechamorph, Malware. Ben later contends with the Incurseans, Albedo, Zs'Skayr, Charmcaster, the Plumber's Black-Ops Unit (called the "Rooters"), his alternate dimension self (the warlord, Mad Ben), and a Time War with Maltruant.
Ben 10 reboot
The official Twitter feed of Cartoon Network PR[5] confirmed a Ben 10 reboot that would follow the adventures of Ben, Gwen, and Max Tennyson. It will include additional new alien forms from the Omnitrix. It is set to premiere on Cartoon Network International in 2016 and in North America in 2017.[3][6]
Elements of the franchise
Omnitrix Prototype / Ultimatrix / New Omnitrix / Nemetrix / Unitrix
Azmuth created the Omnitrix and had originally intended for Max Tennyson to wield it, but it ended up with Ben Tennyson due to him being a close genetic match to Max. As it fell accidentally into the hands of Ben, the Original Omnitrix, its Ultimatrix replacement, and the "finalized" version that is the New Omnitrix are the central elements of the Ben 10 story. They are all alien devices developed by Azmuth that transform the user into any one of a number of alien beings (originally 1,000,903, but the number has increased by 11 because of the transformations that have been unlocked throughout the series via the "Scan Mode" of every version of the Omnitrix). Despite many seeing the Omnitrix as a weapon, its true purpose was to allow the diverse beings of the universe to understand each other by "walking in each other's shoes" and to resurrect all of the intelligent species in the universe that may go extinct (including the human race). Both of these facts are revealed in the Alien Force episode "War of the Worlds." The second function cannot be achieved by the Ultimatrix because of Albedo's modifications. It is not yet confirmed if the New Omnitrix can achieve it.
The Omnitrix appears in the first two incarnations of the franchise (Ben 10 and Ben 10: Alien Force), but Ben had to destroy it and use the Ultimatrix in the Ben 10: Ultimate Alien series. In the final episode of Ultimate Alien, Azmuth takes the Ultimatrix from Ben and replaces it with the New Omnitrix – the original version having been a prototype. The new version had all of the same features as its predecessors. In Omniverse, Azmuth reveals that Ben's habit of slamming his hand on the Omnitrix's core (and inadvertently the scroll pad) randomizes the time-out function, causing Ben to sometimes transform back to normal much earlier than expected or to transform into a random alien.
In Ben 10: Omniverse, the Nemetrix, a knock-off of the original Omnitrix used by a bounty hunter with a form of an alien dog which uses the Nemetrix, is introduced. Unlike the Omnitrix and its succeeding models, the Nemetrix uses the DNA of the natural predators of the sentient alien races such as a giant worm, beetle, etc., which throughout the Omniverse series have the sole purpose of hunting Ben. Thus, only an animal can use the Nemetrix, as users of higher intelligence are unable to use it themselves without incurring mental and/or genetic damage. In Omniverse, Albedo recreates an Omnitrix-like device called Ultimatrix (Ultimate Omnimatr) by using a polymorphic crystal to stabilize his transformations, making it so that he can stay in any form as long as he wants. It also allows him to transform into the Ultimate Forms of his aliens without first turning into their devolved forms.
Plumbers
The Plumbers are an organization composed of both human and alien members, each of whom possesses a special badge. All badges bear the intergalactic peace symbol, a green hourglass shape. Later, in Omniverse, the Plumbers' symbol becomes a red dot. The badge also has several other features:
- as a communication device
- to create a holographic map that can pin-point the location of another Plumber's badge
- as a universal translator
- to enable access to the Extranet.
In the original series, the Earth's Plumbers were a secret government organization that protected the universe from any threat. Their main base was located inside Mount Rushmore, where the Null Void projector and Sub-Energy were stored. Their main adversary was Vilgax. Max was a Plumber in his youth. Most of the Plumbers have disbanded; however, a few members (like Max and his relatives) remain in a semi-active capacity.
Forever Knights
The Forever Knights are a secret British society/paramilitary group first formed during the Middle Ages that are dedicated to collecting and studying alien technology, usually by illegal means. Any aliens they capture along the way are dissected and studied, and any humans caught with them are immediately deemed worthless and disposed of. It is revealed in Ben 10: Ultimate Alien that the reason for their actions is to combat Diagon, an entity from another dimension that nearly conquered the Earth in the Middle Ages were it not for the Forever Knights' immortal Founder George. When George left them, the Forever Knights began to splinter under various self-titled Forever Kings who transformed their knights' duty into a genocidal policy toward anything alien. The Forever Knights also arm themselves with a large variety of medieval weapons enhanced by alien technology, with Lightsaber-like swords, lances, "laser lances", laser guns and electroshock rods being their most common weapons.
Anodites
Anodites are a humanoid race of energy beings from the planet "Anodyne".
They are based on a vital energy called "Mana" that is present in all living things throughout the entire universe, which is also the life energy source. For Anodites, this is a source of power, and they also have the ability to control it like "magic" (which is confirmed to be derived from Mana). A key difference is that this form of magic (or at least magical rituals) relies much more on the use of spoken incantations, spell books, charms and talismans, and even celestial events to achieve the magical and mystical effects the caster desires. Anodites manipulate this and are able to create pink- and magenta-colored shields and force fields of varying shapes and sizes for protection as well as circular magenta shapes or globes that can be thrown to disable enemies.
Anodites are quite free-spirited and do not take life as seriously as most humans, to the point that some Anodites disregard the morality of their actions and prefer to satisfy their own personal pleasures. However, this does not stop them from helping others.
Osmosians
Osmosians (a play on osmosis) are humans born with a genetic superhuman ability. Due to Proctor Servantis altering Kevin's memories, it was originally believed that Osmosians originate from the planet "Osmos V". As Servantis explains, each Osmosian possesses a unique power. In the case of Kevin Levin and Aggregor, both possess the ability to absorb. Kevin's ability allows him to alter the chemical makeup of his body by absorbing the matter of whatever he touches, which can have horrific results if he absorbs energy and alien DNA. Aggregor can drain energy from living beings. It can be argued that other characters in the series such as Cooper Daniels and Clancy may also count as Osmosians.
Galvans
Galvans (a play on galvanization, and also known as Grey Matter) are small bipedal frog-like beings, originally from Galvan Prime; currently they live in Galvan Mark II. Among the notable Galvans in the series is Azmuth, who created the Omnitrix (among many other things); Azmuth is also considered the most intelligent being in the Universe. The Galvan race is best known for being a highly intelligent race whose great amount of calculative and technical intellect allowed them to create almost anything from spare parts and deduce the function of any device at a glance. Their aging process makes them look younger and Galvans also possess a secondary brain that serves for essential bodily functions like walking and breathing.
The Galvans originally had no empire to speak of and were recognized for their great skills, becoming employed by other species as industrial technicians, spies, and saboteurs. But in time, keeping their projects top secret, they amassed their acquired knowledge to build a powerful empire of their own based on the technology they had kept from the rest of the universe. The Galvans had also played a role in the creation of Stonehenge, as a form of practical joke, and the Galvanic Mechamorphs, the source of Ben's Upgrade form. The Galvan planet was believed to be put together by the Omnitrix in the original series. In the second franchise, when Vilgax attacks, the Galvans were forced to control Alien X. Paradox apparently told Ben to use it to unleash a force field to stop Vilgax.
Transports
Each series has featured some kind of main transportation. The wheeled motor vehicles, appearing like normal cars, are equipped with several pieces of Plumber technology such as a turbo engine, laser guns, and autopilot. They are often destroyed during the series.
The Rustbucket and the Rustbucket II, is an old RV resembling a 1973 GMC motorhome owned by Max Tennyson. Despite being old, and even having been destroyed a few times, Max has great affection for it.
Ship is a Galvanic Mechamorph (Upgrade's species) alien that has the ability to transform himself into fully operational technology he's once touched. He merged with the Forever Knights spaceship and from this event onward he became the space transportation for Ben's team during the third season of Ben 10: Alien Force. The Rustbucket III, a Plumbers' jet that Kevin has upgraded with alien tech, later replaced him.
Kevin's car is a Muscle car resembling a Dodge Challenger armed with Plumber technology as well as other various alien tech, including guns and off-road capabilities. It is the team's main transport in Ben 10: Alien Force and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien. It is damaged or destroyed often, mainly during fights or chase scenes, and Kevin is constantly busy repairing it. In Omniverse, after Ben destroyed it while aiming at Upgrade, Kevin gave it a new look. He painted it blue and placed a white circle with the number 11 on it, with only one stripe.
Ben also drives a sports car resembling a heavily modified Mazda RX-8 in the Ben 10: Ultimate Alien and Ben 10: Alien Force.
Proto-TRUK is an orange and bright tan truck, with the logo "Max's Plumbing" on the back. It can transform into a ship, and, according to Kevin, the ship transforms with a nanoship transformer. For defense, it can fire energy blasts, and can nearly survive almost any destruction it encounters. It's Ben and Rook's main transport in Omniverse.
Ben later drives a motorcycle, known as the Tenn Speed. At one point after Rook's TRUK got destroyed (which later was rebuilt), Ben turned into Jury Rigg and rebuilt it into his own motorcycle. When Ben rides the motorcycle, it scans him into a motorcycle suit. Ben occasionally drives it when Rook isn't available.
Running gags
- Many characters prefer violent solutions rather than verbal ones, especially Kevin who prefers to hit people before talking, but is stopped by Gwen, who is much more sensitive than Kevin. Also, Ben prefers using a big, powerful alien in many situations, but ends up turning into another alien, especially Grey Matter, a small and less powerful genetic Galvan, and Nanomech, a humanoid insect.
- During the original series, Ben has a lack of hygiene, and this is briefly seen in the other series. It is sometimes mentioned that he rarely washes himself or never changes clothes, claiming the shirt that is commonly worn throughout the first series is the only shirt he used during the entire summer.
- Mr. Smoothy is a restaurant that serves mostly smoothies at which Ben and his friends are regular customers. The titular mascot is a cup with face and legs that holds a smaller cup. It serves the strangest assortment of flavors in its smoothies, made to order. Among the strange flavors Ben drinks are "chocolate and carrot", "nectarine", "mango and blueberry with extra echinacea", and all-meat flavored smoothies such as "lamb" and "sardine". In Bellwood there are 23 Mr. Smoothy restaurants, and in some episodes, some of them are destroyed because of Ben. Additionally, when confronted by an alien race whose physical appearance changed to match what "held the most sway" to whomever looked upon them in the Omniverse finale, Ben saw them as living versions of the Mr. Smoothy mascot.
- Sumo Slammers is a large franchise creating video games, trading card games, TV shows, movies, mp3 players, etc., which appears often in the Ben 10 series. The storyline of the franchise is similar to anime stories, although the details were not shown, but it tells about a warrior called Ishiyama and his archenemy called Kenko with the ability to shapeshift. In Alien Force/Ultimate Alien, Kenko has somehow joined forces with Ishiyama, a nod to former villain Kevin 11 teaming up with Ben and Gwen Tennyson. Ben has been a huge fan since he was young, and is always trying to do something linked with it, such as knowing the news about them and pretending that he is fighting like them.
- Kevin's car is a muscle car armed with Plumber technology as well as other various alien tech, including guns and off-road capabilities. As it is often damaged or destroyed (such as during fights or chase scenes), Kevin is constantly repairing it. The Rustbucket III has also become a part of this running gag. In the episode "Video Game", Kevin seems to think Ben's destruction of Will's car is not a good way of getting back at Harangue for his rage focused at Ben. Due to Kevin's obsession with own his car, it is likely a joke referencing that.
- Since "War of the Worlds", due to Ben's worldwide fame, he shows some typical celebrity behavior, where he is chased by fans and shows off, hoping that someone will notice and adore him. He constantly claims to have "saved the universe".
- Whenever Pakmar is shown running a business (in Omniverse), on several occasions Ben accidentally destroys it, or gets blamed for wrecking it, which causes Pakmar to hate Ben, and demands payment from Ben on multiple points.
Recurring elements
Technologies
The advanced technologies shown are both alien and from Earth. In the series, they are divided in levels of complication, danger or sophistication. The levels known thus far are 1-20, although some technology is confirmed to be higher than Level 20. Any tech above the allowed level used on this planet is considered illegal.
Earth is a Level 2 planet, something that is considered very inferior by other aliens as it was stated once that Earth is at least 500 years away from being Level 4.
The Omnitrix and the Ultimatrix are Level 20.
Dwayne McDuffie describes some levels:
- Level 1 includes use and construction of simple tools.
- Level 2 includes remedial energy Manipulation, the use of Fire or the use of simple machines.
- Level 3 includes intermediate tool use and industrial organization combined with intermediate energy manipulation. Often information management technologies develop at Level 3. This is also the level at which many species accidentally kill themselves.
- Level 5 includes remedial manipulation of the fundamental force and of the Omnitrix and Ultimax.
Null Void
The Null Void is a pocket dimension, created by the Galvans as a penal colony. Although frightening, it can be a place for some to start anew. It is filled with floating rocks, with flying creatures known as the Null Guardians who protect powerless people in the Null Void from the more violent inmates. The Null Void also served as a base of operations for the Rooters.
ID Mask
ID Masks are masks that can change someone's appearance by means of a hologram. They were often used by DNAliens to take forms of human beings and are also used by Plumbers' Kids who are obviously part alien to hide their appearance and be able to roam freely on Earth. Even Kevin uses one after he turns into what he calls 'a monster'.
Techadon Robots
Techadons are powerful war machines that were mass-produced by a Weapons Technology group known as the "Weapon Masters of Techadon". They are armed with powerful lasers and nanite-based regenerative technologies, able to recreate itself in entirety from a single hand. The custom-made ones that are commissioned for a hit are stronger and when one is destroyed; the other ones adapt from the defeated ones.
Time Travel
The Entropy Pump is a machine made of quartz crystals developed by Professor Paradox during the 1950s as a time-traveling experiment. It was created in a lab when an assistant (Hugo) drew back and hit the controls, causing the machine to become a vacuum, pulling Paradox inside of it and hurling him into the event horizon of a virtual wormhole. The result powers Paradox's time traveling project by generating enough energy to weaken the time-space continuum.
Paradox, now with knowledge of the time line, explained to Ben the concept of Cross Time. Cross Time is a reference to alternate future timelines, such as the timeline depicted in "Ben 10,000" and "Ken 10" where Kevin was still evil. Another Cross Time future, depicted in "Ben 10,000 Returns", presents a future version of Ben having the Ultimatrix and using it to become an Ultimate human who can access the abilities of his aliens instead of assuming their forms.
In the 201st and 202nd episode of the whole franchise (originally the 199th and 200th in production order), Vilgax allied himself with Eon to recruit evil Ben Tennysons across the multiverse. This was meant to destroy all the other Ben Tennysons before reaching a universe without an Omniverse, where Vilgax arranged the systematic destruction of the other universes and their Bens. However, through a time paradox, the Ben of the normal universe and Paradox jump started the multiverse while recruiting Ben, Gwen 10, Ben 23, and Ben 10,000 to enact their roles in protecting the past version of Normal Ben. This allows Normal Ben to undo Vilgax's action as he and his army are then defeated and the planet is destroyed.
Ascalon
Ascalon is a sword-like weapon also created by Azmuth, with the power to tap into the forces of the universe itself. The sword is so powerful that it can destroy an entire planet, and can also cause madness to anyone who possesses it. Only the one who is dignified can have such power, which is why Azmuth gave Ascalon to an immortal human who is battling an extra-dimensional creature, knowing that only "he" needs such power to fight.
Films
Secret of the Omnitrix
The first film is a regular animated feature called Secret of the Omnitrix. A trailer of the film was released with the film, Billy & Mandy: Wrath of the Spider Queen, and it aired August 10, 2007. The main plot was that, during a fight with Dr. Animo, Ben's Omnitrix accidentally sets off its self-destruct mode and Ben has to find the Omnitrix's creator to shut it down and stop the evil Vilgax.
Race Against Time
The second is a live-action film titled Ben 10: Race Against Time,[7] which aired November 21, 2007. It revolves around Ben, Gwen, and Grandpa Max returning to their hometown of Bellwood and attempting to adjust to being "normal" again. Unfortunately, their lives are once again disrupted by a mysterious alien known as Eon who has an unexpected connection to the Omnitrix. It premiered on Cartoon Network on November 21, 2007. The film was directed by Alex Winter.[8] The film was nominated for two Visual Effects Society Awards: Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Miniseries, Movie or Special – Dina Benadon, Evan Jacobs, Brent Young, Chris Christman; and Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Broadcast Program or Commercial – Brent Young, Michael Smith.[9]
Alien Swarm
The third is a live-action film titled Ben 10: Alien Swarm which aired November 25, 2009. It is about Ben, Gwen, Kevin, and Grandpa Max. In the movie the group stumbles upon a hive of alien nanobots using humans as host bodies in order to take over the world. The Nanochips, or "alien swarm", are controlled by a single consciousness. Ben and his friends work together to stop them.
Destroy All Aliens
A CGI movie titled "Ben 10: Destroy all Aliens" was announced in mid-2011,[10] and released on March 11, 2012 (Asia / Philippines)[11] and on March 23, 2012 (US).[12] This film had previously been under the working title Ben 10: Alien Dimensions.[13] The film was based on the original series, and featured the original voice cast. The CGI was animated by Tiny Island Productions in Singapore.
Feature film adaptation
On June 14, 2011, producer Joel Silver announced that he, along with Warner Bros. and Dark Castle Entertainment, would be working on a film version of Ben 10.[14] In January 2012, Albert Torres was announced as screenwriter.[15] In February 2013, Ryan Engle was announced to work on Torres' script. Andrew Rona, Steve Richards, and Joel Silver were producers. Alex Heineman and Sarah Meyer were executive producers.[16] Since Silver left Warner Bros. and Dark Castle joined Universal Studios, it remains unknown whether Warner Bros. or Universal will release the movie.
Ben 10/Generator Rex crossover
During Cartoon Network's panel at 2011's San Diego Comic-Con, Ben 10 and Generator Rex creators "Man of Action" announced a crossover special between the Ben 10 and Generator Rex series titled Ben 10/Generator Rex: Heroes United. The forty-minute special aired on November 25, 2011, as a Generator Rex episode.[17][18]
A comic book based on the special titled: "Hero Times Two" was released on November 30, 2011, as the 65th issue of DC Comics' Cartoon Network: Action Pack.[19]
Cast
Awards
Original series
| Year | Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 34th Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Individual in Animation | Thomas Perkins | Won |
| Golden Reel Award | Best Sound Editing in Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue, ADR and Music for Television Animation | Otis Van Osten, Melinda Rediger, Trevor Sperry, Matt Brown, Jody Thomas, Andy Sturmer, Ron Salaises, Keith Dickens for the episode "Ben 10,000" | Nominated | |
| 2008 | 35th Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Special Class Animated Program | Brian A. Miller, Sam Register, Jennifer Pelphrey, Alex Soto, Donna Smith, Tramm Wigzell | Nominated |
Race Against Time
| Year | Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 29th Young Artist Awards | Best Leading Young Actor | Graham Phillips as Ben Tennyson | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Young Actor | Tyler Patrick Jones as Cash Murray | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Young Actress | Haley Ramm as Gwen Tennyson | Nominated | ||
| 6th Visual Effects Society Awards[9] | Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Broadcast Program or Commercial | Brent Young, Smith, Michael For the Grey Matter sequence | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Miniseries, Movie or Special | Dina Benadon, Evan Jacobs, Brent Young, Chris Christman for visual effects compilation | Nominated |
Alien Force
| Year | Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 36th Daytime Emmy Awards[20] | Outstanding Sound Mixing – Live Action and Animation | Robert Hargreaves, Robert Serda and John Hegedes | Won |
| Outstanding Sound Editing – Live Action and Animation | Robert Hargreaves and George Brooks | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Special Class Animated Program | Brian A. Miller, Sam Register, Glen Murakami, Jennifer Pelphrey and Donna Smith | Nominated |
Alien Swarm
| Year | Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards[21] | Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special | Evan Jacobs, Sean McPherson, Andrew Orloff, Brent Young | Nominated |
| 8th Visual Effects Society Awards | Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Miniseries, Movie or a Special | Evan Jacobs, Sean McPherson, Andrew Orloff | Nominated | |
| 15th Art Directors Guild Award[22] | Television Movie or Mini-Series | Yuda Acco Harry Matheu, Hugh D.G. Moody, Rouzier, Pierre, Robb Bihun, Ann Stacy, Dan Post | Nominated | |
Ultimate Alien
| Year | Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 64th Writers Guild of America Awards | Animation | Len Uhley for the episode "Moonstruck" | Nominated |
Omniverse
| Year | Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Annie Award | Character Design in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production | Chap Yaep, Steven Choi, Derrick Wyatt for the episode "The More Things Change Part 2" | Nominated |
| 40th Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sound Mixing – Animation | Carlos Sanches | Won | |
| Outstanding Sound Editing – Animation | Jeff Shiffman, Roger Pallan, Matthew Thomas Hall, Otis Van Osten, Tony Ostyn, Gerardo Gonzalez | Nominated |
Spin-off media
Merchandise
Following the success of the Ben 10 animated TV series and films, various Ben 10 merchandise has been released for general sale. These items include comic books, card games (such as Top Trumps), toys, video games, Lego construction sets, bedding, coloring books, footwear, and watches (the Omnitrix and the Ultrimatrix). All three shows have been released on DVD.
Games
The game franchise has many different formats. The video games franchise started on 2007 with the release of Protector of Earth.
The latest video game, Ben 10: Omniverse, has been developed and released for the Nintendo Wii and Wii U, Nintendo DS and 3DS, Microsoft Xbox 360, and Sony PlayStation 3 on November 13, 2012. The player can play as 13 alien heroes, including never-before-seen aliens like Bloxx and Gravattack, as they work for either Ben or Rook to defeat the evil plans of a fierce villain intent on destroying the world. The game is developed by Vicious Style Studios for all platforms except for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS versions, which are developed by 1st Playable Productions. The plot is about Ben's partner Rook going back in time and meeting an 11-year-old Ben. In the past, Malware absorbed Rook's Proto-Tool and intends to destroy the Earth. The player is able to access both Bens.
Nine games have been released, including Omniverse:
- Ben 10: Protector of Earth
- Ben 10: Alien Force
- Ben 10 Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks
- Ben 10 Alien Force: The Rise of Hex
- Ben 10 Ultimate Alien: Cosmic Destruction
- Ben 10: Galactic Racing
- Ben 10: Omniverse
- Ben 10: Omniverse 2
- Ben 10: All Out Attack! (for mobile phones)
Toy Line
Bandai has manufactured a large amount of Ben 10 toys from the four series.
The series received three McDonald's Happy Meal promotions internationally, as well as one in America in August 2011.[23] The toys are colored translucent figures of some Omnitrix/Ultimatrix aliens and their Ultimate forms, with a small photo of Ben inside. The Alien Force toys are four rings, each one is an alien (Goop, Jetray, Alien X, Chromastone) with features linked with their powers.
Comic Books
Developed by Jason Hall, Min G. Kuand and Heroic Age, the Ben 10 comic revolves around Ben's summer vacation with Gwen and their Grandpa Max, traveling in the Rust Bucket. The Ben 10: Alien Force comic revolves around Ben, with Gwen and a reformed Kevin, battling the Highbreed and the DNAliens.
Cartoon Network Action Pack was a 2006-2012 comic book series made by DC Comics which showcased Ben 10 alongside Samurai Jack, Codename Kids Next Door, The Secret Saturdays, or Generator Rex. Some of the issues were connected with the franchise, while others are non-canon.
In February 2013, IDW Publishing announced a partnership with Cartoon Network to produce comics based on Cartoon Network properties. Ben 10 was one of the titles announced to be published.[24]
Ben 10 in other media
Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge
Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge is a game show developed for television by United Kingdom-based produced company, Twenty Twenty, which airs on Cartoon Network in the United Kingdom, Spain, [[Fben10rance]ben10], Italy, Netherlands, Bulgaria, the Nordic region, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Chile, United States and the Middle East.[25] Ultimate Challenge is a trivia show that tasks children with answering questions about all three series.[25] Ultimate Challenge is produced by Mandy Morris and executive produced by Daniel Marlowe.[26]
References in other shows
- Ben appeared as a parody of Benjamin Franklin on the show MAD, in an episode titled "Ben 10 Franklin". Franklin was flying his kite when he was struck by a lightning bolt, gaining the Omnitrix. He used Swampfire to sign The Declaration of Independence. He also used Humongousaur to defeat the British and smash down a junior high school bully's house in revenge. He used other aliens from Alien Force and Ultimate Alien, where they have his hair and glasses.
- Also in MAD, a reference to Alien Force was made with a parody of the movie Cowboys & Aliens, with many titles: "Cowboys & Alien Force", "Cowboys & Equestrians", and "Cowboys & Silly Bands". The reference was made at the beginning, when Jake awakes with Ben on his side, but with Jake wearing Ben's Omnitrix, pants, and hat. He also used the Omnitrix to become an alien with the mix of Diamondhead, Chromastone, and Way Big to smash a cowboy.
- In the South Park episode "You're Getting Old", Cartman's Mother mentions that Cartman gets upset when he does not get a present every time someone else gets a present at a party. One of the presents Cartman gets is a "Ben 10 Wrist Rocket".
- The Robot Chicken episode "Hurtled from a Helicopter into a Speeding Train" shows Ben on his 14th birthday party, where he complains about his gifts given by Azmuth.
- Ben 10 villains, such as the Forever Knight and Animo, make a brief cameo in The Secret Saturdays episode "Van Rook's Apprentice". References to Galvan Prime and Wildvine's species also appear in "Guess Who's Going to be Dinner?" and "Eterno" respectively. Both references were made by the Secret Scientist Dr. Arthur Beeman, the UFOlogist for the series.
- In the Peep Show episode, "Man Jam", Jeremy jokingly refers to Ben, the boyfriend of a woman he admires, as "Ben 10" during a phonecall to him.[27]
Cartoon Network promotion
Titanic Kungfubot Offensive
The game features famous and notable Cartoon Network characters in robot-type form. Big Chill, Swampfire, a DNAlien, Kevin, Vilgax, Rath, Armodrillo, Ultimate Humongousaur, Ultimate Echo Echo, and Ultimate Big Chill appear as playable characters.
To promote the Ben 10/Generator Rex: Heroes United special, Cartoon Network updated Titanic Kungfubot Offensive, adding new bots, such as "Shocksquatch" and "Clockwork"; both of which are aliens accessible to Ben.
Cartoon Network Universe: Fusion Fall
The character design for Ben Tennyson was changed when the original Ben 10 series ended and was replaced by Alien Force. In the game, he serves as a "Player Guide" offering guide-based missions and special items.
Cartoon Network Universe: Project Exonaut
In another browser-based game entitled Cartoon Network Universe: Project Exonaut, Ben's aliens, alongside Gwen and Vilgax, appear as "exosuits". The exosuits' purpose is protecting the player and giving them unique abilities and powers. The planet Kylmyys (the home of one of Ben's aliens, Big Chill) and the Perplexhedron are featured as battle arenas. Ultimate Kevin and Alien X are currently the new exosuits for Project Exonaut representing Ben 10. The new exosuits feature Gold versions of Manus, Marceline, Mojo Jojo, and Rath.
Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion
Ben appears in the game as a playable character. Swampfire, Humongousaur, Big Chill, and AmpFibian (with Ultimate Humongousaur as a Punch Time) appear as Ben's playable aliens. Vilgax, the archenemy of Ben Tennyson appears as a playable character for the first time. Gwen and the Vreedle Brothers are "summons" in the game. Additionally, Bellwood and the Null Void are included as battle arenas. Kevin also appears as a "summon" in the game, but is featured as a playable character on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii versions, called Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL. Kevin in Ultimate Kevin form appears in the game as a boss. The young version of Ben appears in the console version of the game as a playable character.[28]
References
- ↑ http://www.regularcapital.com/2016/01/cartoon-network-central-eastern-europe-2016-overview/
- ↑ "Omnitrix or Ultimatrix". Deviant Art. Dec 1, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- 1 2 5th Ben 10 Series
- ↑ "Ben 10 'Omniverse' to Launch at Nuremburg [sic]". Global License. January 6, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
- ↑
- ↑ Confirmation of 5th Ben 10 Series by Official Twitter Page of CN PR
- ↑ "TZ @ SDCC: 3 Versions of "Ben 10" Animated Movie, Ben10 Ben10 Action Movie (Updated)". Archived from the original on 9 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-25.
- ↑ "CN Upfront: 2007 Overview". Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-25.
- 1 2 fxguide quick takes – Visual Effects Society announces nominees for 6th annual VES Awards
- ↑ Cartoon Networks Set CG' Ben 10 TV Movie for 2012
- ↑ "Coming Up In March – Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens". Cartoon Network. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
- ↑ "Ben 10 Week – New Movie Destroy All Aliens!". Cartoon Network – Coming Soon. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
- ↑ SDCC2011: "Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens" Trailer Released
- ↑ Sereta. "Ben 10 to be adapted for Big screen".
- ↑ http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=86425
- ↑ http://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/rampage-writer-hired-work-ben-422896
- ↑ SDCC2011: Generator Rex/Ben 10 Crossover Special Set For Thanksgiving
- ↑ Ben 10 and Generator Rex News from Comic-Con
- ↑ CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #65
- ↑ Zahed, Ramin (May 19, 2009). "Daytime Emmy Noms Announced". Animation Magazine. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Ben 10: Alien Swarm". Emmys.com. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- ↑ "Television Movie or Mini-Series". Arti Directors Guild. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- ↑ Ben 10: Ultimate Alien– McDonald's USA Toys
- ↑ http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/article/2507/
- 1 2 "'Ben 10' Gets A Live-Action Game Show: 'Ben 10: Ultimate Challenge'"
- ↑ "Calling all Ben 10 fanatics"
- ↑ http://www.channel4.com/programmes/peep-show/on-demand/47548-002
- ↑ 'Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL' Aims to Supersize Original Game on Consoles.cool [Video]
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