Ben 10 (2005 TV series)

Ben 10
File:Ben10showlogo.JPG Ben 10 logo
Created by	Duncan Rouleau Joe Casey Joe Kelly Steven T. Seagle
Voices of	Tara Strong Dee Bradley Baker Fred Tatasciore Jim Ward Meagan Smith Paul Eiding Richard McGonagle Richard Steven Horvitz Steven Jay Blum
Theme music composer	Andy Sturmer
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	39 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Sam Register Mark Burton
Running time	22 minutes approx.
Original release
Network	Cartoon Network
Release	December 27, 2005 – Present

Ben 10 is an American animated television series created by "Man of Action" (a group consisting of Duncan Rouleau, Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, and Steven T. Seagle), and produced by Cartoon Network Studios. The pilot episode aired on December 27, 2005, as part of a sneak peek of Cartoon Network's new Saturday morning lineup. The second episode was shown as a special on Cartoon Network's Fridays on January 13, 2006, on which the first and second episodes were shown back-to-back. The theme song for the show was written by Andy Sturmer and sung by Moxy.

Plot

The show revolves around Ben Tennyson, his cousin Gwen, and his grandfather Max. At the start of their summer camping trip, Ben is nearly hit by an alien pod that fell from space and crashed next to him. When he examines it, he finds a mysterious, watch-like device, called the Omnitrix, stored inside. The device attaches to his wrist and gives him the ability to transform into variety of alien lifeforms, each with their own unique powers (quite similar to DC's "Dial H for Hero" comic). Although Ben realizes that he has a responsibility to help others with these new abilities at his disposal, he isn't above a little superpowered mischief now and then.

In the first season, the plot mainly focuses on the villain Vilgax, an evil alien warlord who wants to use the Omnitrix to conquer the galaxy. Having been injured at the start of the season, he mainly sends various drones to do his work for him until he heals. After healing, he attempts to retrieve it himself, only to fail.

The second season has a considerably looser plot, mostly following a "villain of the week" format. The few plot-centric episodes focus on Kevin, a super-powered teen with the power to absorb different types of energies, who Ben meets in the first season. Having inadvertently allowed Kevin to absorb the Omnitrix's ability during their first meeting, Kevin serves as an antithesis to Ben. Vilgax also returns in the finale, having teamed up with Kevin in the hopes of succeeding where he failed originally. Again, he fails, and both he and Kevin are trapped in an alternate dimension.

The third season has a similar yet darker plot layout. Its few plot-centric episodes focus around aliens styled on traditional horror monsters that Ben acquires as new forms through their contact with the Omnitrix. Purple-colored lightning, caused by a teleportation device created by the Frankenstein-esque alien Doctor Vicktor, heralds their appearance. Vicktor, in turn, is loyal to Ghostfreak, who escaped from the Omnitrix and attempted to possess Ben, but was killed during the second season, only to be resurrected later in the third season. He plotted to shroud the earth in darkness with the use of a corrodium beam projected from a space station and expanded across the earth using a transmitter in New Mexico, thus allowing him to be at full power and rule over the planet. His attempt, however, was thwarted by Ben; he dies once more from direct exposure to the sun, but not before his DNA was restored to the Omnitrix.

Characters

Main articles: List of characters in Ben 10 and List of villains in Ben 10

Ben 10 has a wide array of characters and villains, both alien and human. Each has been the focus of one episode or another. Often, enemies will be main villains for the episode.

Omnitrix

File:Omnitrix image.jpg

The Omnitrix.

Main article: Omnitrix

The Omnitrix is a watch-like alien device. When the button on the side is pressed, the face pops up and shows a silhouette of an alien. The face can then be twisted to select different aliens. By settling on a specific alien and pushing the face back down, the Omnitrix transforms the bearer into the alien they selected. However, the Omnitrix malfunctions frequently, transforming the bearer into an alien that wasn't the one selected on many occasions. The Omnitrix can defend itself if tried to be taken of which happens in episode 7 "Kevin 11"

Episodes

Main article: List of Ben 10 episodes

DVD releases

Screenshot	Title	Release date	Episodes
File:Ben10S1-New.jpg	"Season 1"	February 6, 2007	13
	The first set contains the first thirteen episodes. Bonus features include commentary on the episode "Secrets", a creator drawing lesson, creator interviews, and a collectible poster.[1]
	"Season 2"	October 9, 2007	13

Movies

Two Ben 10 movies are planned to be released at different times during 2007. The first is a regular animated feature, in which Ben accidentally sets the Omnitrix to self-destruct and must track down its creator to stop it. According to a Toon Zone article it will precede the live film in November. Michael Ouweleen described the film's villain as "like Darth Vader without the sense of humor."

The second is a live-action adaptation of the series, with no specific details given about the plot. It is scheduled to premiere on Cartoon Network in Autumn of 2007. The film will be directed by Alex Winter. Winter stated at the 2007 Upfront presentation that he wants "this thing to look like X-Men," an epic adventure that will be "more cinematic than cartoony" and appeal to all ages. Production on the film is expected to finish in October. CG effects and characters have been confirmed, though Winter promises the film will feature "no Jar Jar."

Ben 10: Hero Generation

Cartoon Network has announced that a sequel series of the show will premiere before Spring 2008. The new series will focus on a slightly older Ben and Gwen, who serve as mentors to a younger generation of heroes with powers similar to Ben's Omnitrix-based ones. Though aimed at the same demographic, the series will reportedly address more mature issues than its predecessor.

Voice Actors

• Dee Bradley Baker - Stinkfly, Wildmutt
• Steven Blum - Ghostfreak, Heatblast, Vilgax
• Michael Dorn - Benvicktor
• Paul Eiding - Max Tennyson
• Richard Steven Horvitz - Grey Matter
• Richard McGonagle - Fourarms
• Richard Green - Benmummy

• Michael Reisz - Kevin 11 (first voice)
• Charlie Schlatter - Kevin 11 (second voice)
• Meagan Smith - Gwen Tennyson
• Tara Strong - Ben Tennyson, Benwolf, and Upgrade
• Fred Tatasciore - Cannonbolt, Ripjaws
• Jim Ward - Diamondhead, Wildvine, XLR8
• Dave Wittenberg - Upchuck