Cartoon Network’s Ben 10 Franchise has just received a resurgence earlier this month with the release of the first issue of a comic book series produced by Dynamite Comics set in a new continuity. Issue 1 already demonstrates how Dynamite Comics’ Ben 10 Continuity is adapting aspects from all the animated shows in the franchise (at this point in time) by featuring Colonel Rozum from Ultimate Alien and (what, at least, seems to be based on) Cybearg from the Reboot Series in the beginning of an adaptation of the series premiere of the Original Series. With Issue 2 set to be released next month, I thought I would share a list of characters from the franchise’s history I would like to see appear in Dynamite Comics’ Ben 10 Continuity as a way to inspire discussion as new issues are released each month. Due to its status as the franchise’s “arc number”, it seemed fitting to make this list a Top 10 List.
10. Yawkwawi/Yawk (Reboot Series)
While I would consider the Reboot Series to be the weakest series in the Ben 10 Franchise, I also recognize that the main reason for that sentiment is because of executive mandates and I believe some concepts from that series have great potential such as the villain of Season 2’s “Mayhem in Mascot”. Besides his status as a magic themed villain, I also felt the way Yawk was able to deceive the Tennyson Cousins using charisma & charm (along with his fondness for singing) helped him stand out among the villains who debuted in the Reboot Series.
9. Dr. Psychobos (Omniverse)
Whether it’s the “Classic Continuity” or the Reboot Series, Ben eventually learns that the Omnitrix was created by the Galvan scientist, Azmuth. Omniverse, would introduce a Cerebrocrustacean scientist, the creator of the Nemetrix and the self-proclaimed arch-enemy of Azmuth. Besides being an alien mad scientist to contrast with Dr. Animo (the franchise’s resident human mad scientist), Dr. Psychobos being one of the franchise’s villains who has an axe to grind against a character besides Ben is another reason why I would be open to seeing him eventually appear.
8. Will Harangue (Ultimate Alien)
Another notable human character to debut in Ultimate Alien besides Colonel Rozum is Will Harangue who could be described along the lines as a fusion of J. Jonah Jameson and Robert Kelly from Marvel Comics. With Colonel Rozum giving the military a more prevalent role in Dynamite Comics’ Ben 10 Continuity, I can see potential with Will Harangue as a way to give the news a more prevalent role in this continuity.
7. Phil Billings (Original Series)
Whether it’s the “Classic Continuity” or the Reboot Series, one of the earliest examples of the Tennyson Cousins learning about their grandpa’s past comes in the form of them meeting Max’s old friend. The big difference between these continuities is whether Phil stays an ally (as shown in the Reboot Series) or turns to the dark side (as shown in the “Classic Continuity”). I feel that Phil’s ties to Max’s past gives him great potential and I also see potential in the idea of combining his portrayal from both previous continuities.
6. Albedo (Alien Force)
When Kevin Levin’s redemption occurred in Alien Force, aspects of his villain persona was split into two new characters. The “villain with Ben’s powers” aspect went to Albedo who could be described as Ben’s “evil twin” but he puts a unique spin on the trope as he’s actually one of Azmuth’s assistants who accidentally turned himself into a genetic copy of Ben when he created his own copy of the Omnitrix. Albedo also contributed to the franchise as the one who finished the creation of the Ultimatrix after stealing it from Azmuth (which Ben would go on to use during Ultimate Alien).
5. Darkstar/Michael Morningstar (Alien Force)
When Kevin Levin’s redemption occurred in Alien Force, aspects of his villain persona was split into two new characters. The “villain with energy absorption powers” aspect went to Michael Morningstar (dubbing himself “Darkstar” after his debut), who could be described as the Carnage to Kevin 11’s Venom and quickly established himself as an abhorrent admirer to Gwen after his true colors were revealed. Michael Morningstar also stood out as one of the few sequel villains to be adapted into the Reboot Series which also adapted his brief time dating Charmcaster from Ultimate Alien. His status as a simultaneous arch-enemy to Gwen, Kevin and Charmcaster is the main reason why I feel Darkstar has great potential to be adapted into Dynamite Comics’ Ben 10 Continuity.
4. Professor Paradox (Alien Force)
Alien Force introduced a notable ally in the form of the “Time Walker”, who calls himself “Professor Paradox” after forgetting his real name. Although time travel was already established in the Original Series via Season 3’s “Ben 10,000”, Paradox certainly broadened the scope of time travel throughout the sequels which also helped provide the audience with some insight on alternate universes. In one of his blog posts, Joe Casey (one of the members of Man of Action) seemed to be hinting at the possibility of Dynamite Comics’ Ben 10 Continuity exploring the multiverse concept which could provide a possible opportunity for Paradox to be adapted into this continuity.
3. Charmcaster (Original Series)
One way the Tennyson Cousins acted as foils to one another was how they each received an “evil counterpart” in the form of an older kid who also used the same powers as them in some capacity. While Ben’s evil counterpart during the Original Series was Kevin 11, Gwen’s evil counterpart was Charmcaster, the niece of Hex. Man of Action have mentioned on several occasions that they always intended for Kevin & Charmcaster to eventually grow into “anti-hero foils” to the Tennyson Cousins which suggests these two characters were still intended to eventually be redeemed even if showrunners didn’t change for the sequels. This is also suggested by how Kevin & Charmcaster had their villainy downplayed and their sympathetic qualities played up in the Reboot Series. Joe Casey has made comments in one of his blog posts that strongly hint at Hex showing up in Dynamite Comics’ Ben 10 Continuity which makes it seem safe to say that it’s only a matter of time before his niece shows up.
2. Zs’Skayr (Original Series)
Throughout Season 1 of the Original Series, there had been some moments that hinted at something not being quite right about Ghostfreak and Season 2’s “Ghostfreaked Out” revealed why with the introduction of Ghostfreak’s genetic donor. Thanks to a quirk of the genetics of Ectonurites, the consciousness of an Ectonurite exists in even the smallest strands of DNA. Although Ghostfreak isn’t part of the Omnitrix’s “starter roster” in Dynamite Comics’ Ben 10 Continuity, Duncan Rouleau (one of the members of Man of Action) has reassured fans that other Omnitrix aliens beyond the “starter roster” are planned to appear which leaves open the possibility of Ghostfreak and Zs’Skayr eventually showing up in this continuity.
1. Kevin 11/Kevin Levin (Original Series)
With how many times I’ve already mentioned him throughout this article, it should come as no surprise that the Venom to Ben’s Spider-Man would be my first pick on this list. Considering his importance in the previous continuities, it seems safe to say that Kevin will eventually appear in Dynamite Comics’ Ben 10 Continuity with the questions being more “when” and “how” he’ll be adapted into this continuity. The Original Series introduced Kevin in Episode 7 while it wouldn’t be until Season 3 when he first showed up in the Reboot Series. The Original Series established Kevin as being born with energy absorption powers while the Reboot Series portrayed Kevin as building and wielding a knock-off variant of the Omnitrix known as the “Antitrix”. In any case, my biggest hope is that he gains a form that is a mutant fusion of Omnitrix aliens in this continuity.
Admittedly, this Top 10 List is just the tip of the iceberg for me and I could name other characters I would be in favor of seeing be adapted but I hope this inspires discussing for fellow Ben 10 fans. What characters from the franchise’s history would you like to see adapted in Dynamite Comics’ Ben 10 Continuity?
