Ben Tennyson

Transformations

In Gordon's concepts, the transformations were shifted from being alternative versions of Ben to superheroes. Gordon designed concepts for the ten Omnitrix transformations. Unlike the official versions, these transformations were all still humanoid superheroes, each possessing one unique ability. These superheroes were Digger, Dragonfly, Ghostfreak, Greymatter, Inferno, PlantGuy, Razorjaws, StrongGuy, Upgrade, and XLR8.^[10] Aspects of Gordon that were retained included the names of Ghostfreak, Greymatter, Upgrade, and XLR8.

The idea of bringing in aliens was conceived by writer Greg Johnson during the original show's three-year production, though he was uncredited.^[11] Gordon updated his concepts, making his superhero concepts more alien and monster in nature. By 2005, artist Dave Johnson redesigned the transformations, following the decision to make them extraterrestrial aliens instead of superheroes. Johnson was credited with redesigning Ben and his transformations, in addition to the major supporting cast during the first two seasons of the classic series. He left the show, citing poor treatment and was replaced with Thomas Perkins.^[6][12][13] Johnson's final contribution to the franchise was designing the alien transformation Feedback for Ben 10: Omniverse years later.

Early on in development, it was decided that a villain would be within the Omnitrix. After Ghostfreak was created, dialogue was added into the first season to hint there is something more to Ghostfreak. Originally, Cannonbolt, the 11th alien transformation in the series, was intended to be in the original set of aliens but was replaced with Diamondhead.^[14] When working on test animations for the series, the first transformation to be showcased was Four Arms, and it was the most popular transformation out of all the aliens for Man of Action. Many unused designs for Upchuck were repurposed in the episode "Ben 10,000" as two of Ben's aliens, Spitter and Arctiguana, and the villain Sploot.

Voice actors

Tara Strong (left) and Yuri Lowenthal (right) have voiced Ben as a child and teenager respectively throughout the franchise.

Tara Strong first voiced 10-year-old Ben in the original 2005 series. She later reprised the role in Ultimate Alien, in the episode "The Forge of Creation" and in flashback episodes of Omniverse, with Ben at age 11. Strong also returned to voice Ben in the 2016 reboot, again portraying the character as a 10-year-old; along with voicing his original series incarnation at age 10 in "Alien X-Tinction".^[15] According to Man of Action, Strong had to re-audition for the role in the reboot; as they initially considered casting a child actor before ultimately retaining her in the role.^[16][17] Monsterrat Hernandez and Gunnar Sizemore, who voice Gwen Tennyson and Billy Billions in the reboot, respectively; also auditioned for the role Ben before Strong was brought back.^[16] According to Strong, the biggest adjustment she had to make in voicing Ben for the reboot was portraying him as less mean to Gwen than he had been in the 2005 series.^[18] Strong voiced 10-year-old Ben in every series to date except Ben 10: Alien Force, where he never spoke.

Yuri Lowenthal first voiced Ben at age 15 in Ben 10: Alien Force. When casting Ben for Alien Force during the audition process, Lowenthal revealed that he was called back multiple times during the audition process to read for the role before ultimately being cast.^[19][20] He would later reprise his role as 16-year-old Ben in Ben 10: Ultimate Alien and Ben 10: Omniverse, sharing the role in the latter with Strong, who voices the younger Ben. Both Strong and Lowenthal also voice alternate versions of Ben in Omniverse.^[21] Lowenthal returns in the 2016 reboot cameoing as an elderly Ben in the episode "The 11th Alien: Part 2", and later returns to voice the aforementioned 15 and 16-year-old counterparts of Ben in "Alien X-Tinction".^[22]

Equipment

At age 10, Ben became the bearer of the prototype Omnitrix (which was later replaced by the Ultimatrix, and then by the official Omnitrix), an alien watch-shaped device that gives him the power to modify his own genetic code to transform into various alien creatures. Traditionally, he was only allowed to transform into ten aliens, but he later gained additional forms, either by unlocking them or by scanning the DNA of aliens he encountered. In total, Ben has access to 1,000,912 transformations.

When transforming, Ben acquires all the characteristics of the creature, including its appearance, voice, all its unique and special abilities and powers, strengths and weaknesses. He usually retains his personality, but there are some cases where the transformation causes a change in it. Although he uses them to fight, he can also use them to impersonate them.

Among other functions, it includes a Universal Translator, which allows him to communicate in any language in the Universe, a Genetic Repairer, which manipulates and repairs genetic data and can even bring back extinct species, and a safety system that prevents Ben from dying.

The Ultimatrix allowed him to evolve his aliens, through the "Evolutionary Function," into the so-called Ultimate Forms. Ben also possesses an alien hoverboard, a sports car called the Mark 10, given to him by Kevin, and the Tenn-Speed, a motorcycle made by Jury Rigg with alien technology.

Ben 10 (2005)

Ben begins his summer vacation with Gwen and Max. During their first night camping in Max's RV, Ben finds an alien pod containing the Omnitrix after a meteorite crashes nearby. The device latches onto his wrist, granting him the ability to transform into ten different alien life forms.^[24] With his newfound abilities, and later discovery of Max's past as part of a secret government organization called The Plumbers,^[25] Ben navigates through the responsibilities of being a hero. Throughout the summer, Ben encounters a range of villains, including Dr. Animo,^[26] Kevin Levin,^[27] and the Forever Knights,^[28] with Vilgax serving as the series' primary antagonist,^[29] alongside various other foes. Despite his immaturity and occasional use of the Omnitrix for selfish purposes, Ben proves to be a worthy wielder of the device. Over the summer, Ben grows closer with his family and becomes more proficient with the Omnitrix.

After discovering that the Omnitrix can unlock transformations beyond the ten he initially had, Ben gains access to new alien forms, including Cannonbolt^[30] and Wildvine,^[31] ultimately unlocking nine additional transformations by the end of the series. He later loses the ability to transform into Ghostfreak after the Omnitrix's Ectonurite DNA sample, which retained the consciousness of its original host,^{[note 1]} manifests independently and escapes.^[32] In his first time-travel adventure, Ben is sent twenty years into the future, where he meets an older, battle-hardened version of himself who has mastered the Omnitrix, along with future versions of Gwen, Grandpa Max, and several of his long-time enemies.^[33] Later, Ben accidentally unlocks "Master Control", an Omnitrix feature enabling him to switch between his alien forms without time constraints.^[34] He also learns that the Omnitrix was originally intended for Grandpa Max.^[35] Towards the end of summer, the Tennysons battle the Negative 10, a coalition of the family's numerous enemies.^[36][37]

In the film Secret of the Omnitrix, Ben and Gwen are brought to space by Tetrax in search of the Omnitrix's creator after the self-destruct mode is activated. They are headed to Incarcecon to find the creator but instead find Myaxx, a former assistant involved in the development of the Omnitrix and locate the creator on the planet Xenon who is revealed to be Azmuth of the Galvan race. Frustrated by the weaponization of his creation, Azmuth refuses to help Ben, preferring the universe to be destroyed. Meanwhile, Vilgax launches an attack on Xenon using an alien army. Witnessing Ben's battle against Vilgax, despite the futile circumstances, restores Azmuth's faith and he repairs the Omnitrix and unlocks the To'kustar transformation, which Ben names Way Big to aid in defeating Vilgax. Tetrax returns Ben and Gwen home, and the Tennysons resume their summer adventures.^[38]

Two more films were produced for the original series: one during the run of the classic series and another four years after its conclusion. The first live-action film, Race Against Time, was originally canon, but was retconned from continuity during the run of Ultimate Alien,^[39] while the previously non-canon CGI animated film, Destroy All Aliens, was incorporated into continuity.^[40] Additionally, the Omniverse flashbacks introduced new plot threads during the in-universe period between the original series and Alien Force.

Ben 10: Alien Force

In between the events of the original series and Alien Force, Ben removed the Omnitrix for unspecified reasons. After Grandpa Max disappears in the line of duty, Ben reequips the Omnitrix, which, after several years of dormancy, reboots itself, locking his older batch of aliens in favor of a new set of ten aliens. Assisted by Gwen and a reformed Kevin Levin, the group embarks on a mission to find Max. Upon discovering the Highbreed, an alien supremacist race, and their servants, the DNAliens, who are planning to invade Earth, they assemble a team dubbed the Alien Force to thwart their conspiracy.^[41][42]

In his free time, Ben is in a romantic relationship with Julie Yamamoto, and during a date she takes ownership of "Ship," a pet Galvanic Mechamorph.^[43] The Alien Force locates Max, but he sacrifices himself to save them from a Highbreed.^[44] Following Max's death, the Alien Force forges alliances with several people, including a half Pyronite Alan,^[45] time-traveller Professor Paradox,^[46] a group of alien hybrids known as the Plumber's Helpers,^[47] and a technopath named Cooper.^[48] Ben unlocks his 10th alien, Alien X, a Celestialsapien who possesses vast reality-altering abilities. However, he refrains from regular usage of Alien X due to the two personalities within it that he must compromise with to use the transformation's abilities.^[49] Meanwhile, Albedo, a former assistant of Azmuth, frames Ben for crimes after gaining a duplicate Omnitrix and being transformed into his doppelgänger.^[50] Later, while fending off the Null Void from complete control by Dr. Animo, the Alien Force learn Max is still alive and has taken refuge there.^[51]

The Highbreed launch their galaxy-wide offensive across the universe, prompting Azmuth to travel to Earth and reinstate the Master Control in the Omnitrix. The Alien Force travel to Augstaka, the Highbreed home world, where they learn that the species is facing extinction due to generations of inbreeding and plan to annihilate the universe as a result. In response, Ben uses the Omnitrix to infuse the Highbreed with DNA from other species, averting their extinction. Although he loses access to Master Control, he retains access to the aliens he previously used.^[52][53] In Alien Swarm, Ben prevents the Queen from controlling humanity through microchips.^[54]

After Vilgax threatens to attack Earth, Ben requests Master Control from Azmuth, who declines due to Ben's growing arrogance. Ben and Kevin's attempt to unlock Master Control independently results in Kevin mutating again, the Omnitrix malfunctioning, and several aliens gaining sentience and escaping. The Alien Force recapture the aliens, and Ben confronts and stops Vilgax.^[55][56]

After escaping from prison and stealing an unstable and incomplete Omnitrix from Azmuth, Albedo modifies it into the Ultimatrix and equips it with the evolutionary feature: evolving existing aliens within the Omnitrix into their "ultimate forms". Seeking revenge on the Alien Force for thwarting his previous attempts to steal the Omnitrix, Vilgax and Albedo form an unlikely alliance and perform abductions of Gwen and Kevin. Max alerts Ben of the situation and Ben battles Albedo but is ultimately defeated. To save his allies, Ben surrenders the Omnitrix, which he self-destructs to prevent Vilgax from using it. Ben takes Albedo's Ultimatrix, which is synced to the Omnitrix's DNA source, the Codon Stream.^[57][58]

Ben 10: Ultimate Alien

Ben has wielded the Ultimatrix for over a year since defeating Vilgax, and his secret identity has been revealed to the world by a young boy named Jimmy Jones. Ben's newfound fame alters his life, as he is frequently smeared in the news by Will Harangue and is entangled with the celebrity world and media industry. When not navigating the media landscape, the Alien Force is investigating the arrival of five aliens from the Andromeda Galaxy. They learn that these aliens were being hunted by an Osmosian warlord named Aggregor and sought refuge on Earth. Despite the Alien Force's efforts to assist the aliens, they inadvertently facilitate their recapture by Aggregor.^{[59][60][61][62][63]} After imprisoning the Andromeda aliens, Aggregor merges their DNA with his own and embarks on a quest to gather the four pieces of the Map of Infinity. Despite Ben's efforts, Aggregor manages to obtain the Map of Infinity.^[64][65]

With no other options, Kevin absorbs the alien DNA of Ben's Ultimatrix, sacrificing his sanity in an effort to defeat Aggregor and stop him from gaining the powers of a Celestialsapien. After absorbing Aggregor's acquired DNA from the Andromeda Aliens, Kevin departs from the Forge of Creation while leaving Aggregor unconscious.^[23] Throughout the universe, Kevin embarks on a revenge-fueled rampage against those who wronged him in the past.^[66] Kevin's actions lead to Ben becoming convinced that Kevin needs to be killed to put an end his madness, causing friction between Gwen and Ben as they battle each other. Ultimately, Ben, as Ultimate Echo Echo, confronts Kevin and defeats him in battle. Ben, despite his earlier intention to kill Kevin, ultimately spares him. Kevin is reverted to normal, and the Andromeda aliens are revived.^[67][68]

The Alien Force later encounter another future version of Ben, known as Ultimate Ben, who possesses the ability to use his alien powers in human form. Ultimate Ben, with the assistance of Professor Paradox, confronts Eon, an evil alternate future version of Ben. After defeating Eon and his minions, Ultimate Ben unlocks every currently locked alien that Ben has ever used.^[69] In Heroes United, Ben is transported to Generator Rex's universe, where he helps him defeat Alpha.^[70]

George, the founder of the Forever Knights, reunites the group's divided splinter factions to combat the return of the entity Dagon.^[71] Meanwhile, the Flame Keepers Circle, a cult dedicated to Dagon, discovers the stranded Vilgax and mistakenly assume him to be Dagon.^[72] Vilgax becomes a pawn for Dagon while a war breaks out between the Forever Knights and the Esoterica, Dagon's followers.^[73] The conflict results in most of the Knights being killed, including George. Vilgax betrays Dagon and absorbs his essence into himself. Ben stops Vilgax and absorbs Dagon's essence into the sword Ascalon before using Ascalon to revert the Esoterica to normal. In recognition of Ben's efforts, Azmuth awards him the completed Omnitrix and takes the Ultimatrix.^[74][75][76]

Ben 10: Omniverse

The storyline alternates between that of 11-year-old Ben (one year after the original series) and 16-year-old Ben (several months after Ultimate Alien). In the present day, Gwen and Kevin leave for college and Ben is assigned to work with Rook Blonko, a newly deputized Plumber. Together, Ben and Rook travel underneath Bellwood to the underground city of Undertown to address the rising rates of organized crime. Ben is pursued by the alien hunter Khyber, whose pet Zed can transform into numerous predatory aliens utilizing the Nemetrix (a device similar to the Omnitrix).^[77][78]

Ben and Rook investigate an abandoned ship near Earth containing the Annihilargh, a doomsday device capable of erasing entire universes. It attracts the attention of multiple parties, including the Plumbers and the Incurseans. It is mistakenly activated, erasing the entire universe except for Ben, who survives as Alien X. Unable to reverse the universes' destruction, Ben convinces its personalities, Bellicus and Serena, to recreate the universe.^[79]

Ben is captured by Khyber after an argument with Rook and he learns about the creation of the Nemetrix along with the shared history between Khyber and his allies. Ben and Rook reconcile and later fend off Plumber HQ from Psychobos after he steals a piece of the Omnitrix to perfect the Nemetrix.^[80][81]

Khyber and his allies launch an attack on Galvan Prime, and Malware destroys Galvan B, the Galvanic Mechamorph home world. After landing on Galvan Prime, Malware battles Ben, defeating him and trapping him within his body. Inside Malware, Ben subconsciously meets his younger self and confronts his past. By addressing his regret over the loss of Feedback, who was destroyed by Malware years prior, Ben makes amends with himself and regains Feedback. As Feedback, Ben defeats Malware, leaving his remains as stone.^[82][83] Ben joins The Secret Saturdays to defeat V. V. Argost, who has allied himself with Dr. Animo.^[84] Shortly afterward, Ben and Rook accidentally travel to an alternate universe and meet Ben 23, a version of Ben who became a celebrity and began acting recklessly after his universe's Max died. They manage to help him become more responsible.^[85]

The Incurseans, a frog-like alien species, launch an invasion of Earth and succeed in conquering it with the help of mutated To'kustars. Ben is sent to exile in outer space but is saved by Azmuth. Ben uses his Incursean transformation, Bullfrag, to infiltrate the Incurseans and free their prisoners, without any of his friends knowing. The Incurseans are ultimately stopped and the To'kustars are imprisoned in the Null Void.^[86][87]

Vilgax and Eon form a partnership and secretly recruit evil versions of Ben across the multiverse along with Albedo. Professor Paradox enlists the help of Ben along with Ben 23, Gwen 10 (a version of Gwen who acquired the Omnitrix), Ben 10,000, and a version of Ben from a universe where the Omnitrix was never created. Vilgax betrays Eon and uses the Chronosapien Time Bomb to erase every universe except No Watch Ben's universe. Before Ben Prime is erased from existence, he gives the Omnitrix to No Watch Ben, who utilizes the transformation Clockwork to restore the multiverse before returning the watch to Ben Prime.^[88][89]

The Celestialsapiens hold Ben for trial for his illegal recreation of the universe. After being found guilty, Ben's Galvan lawyer, Chadzmuth, offers to invoke the "Tetramand Trial of Combat" to ensure his innocence. He wins and, in the process, gains complete control of Alien X.^[90] Ben and Ben 23 are left stranded in an alternate universe and have to work with Dr. Psychobos to free themselves. They later stage a revolt against that world's leader, Mad Ben, and return to their respective universes.^[91][92]

Ben and Rook follow Maltruant in his quest to reach the beginning of time. After reaching the Contemelia ship, Maltruant uses the Annihilargh in an attempt to recreate the universe in his image. Ben uses Feedback to absorb the Annihilargh's energy and destroy Maltruant, who is trapped in a time loop where he will attempt to reassemble himself and create his own universe, but fail each time after his defeat by Ben. After returning to Bellwood, Ben and Rook contact Gwen and Kevin to join them in a road trip across space.^[93]

Personality

Ben is portrayed as someone who prefers having fun to fulfilling his obligations. However, despite his carefree attitude, Ben has also demonstrated heroic and altruistic behavior, being willing to help and save anyone in need, including his enemies. He can be impulsive and reckless, often acting without thinking, which can cause him problems. He also tends to get bored easily and has difficulties with math and science.

Ben is known for acting without considering the consequences, and his reckless behavior frequently gets him into trouble. His tendency to make mistakes has been noted by his family, who sometimes comment on it even when he hasn't done anything wrong. He has admitted to feeling self-assured and afraid to show his emotions, often hiding behind various identities. He has expressed that the Omnitrix is the only thing he considers truly valuable about himself, although he has also demonstrated the ability to focus on the positive side. He has also shown himself to be understanding and sometimes recognizes almost immediately when he says something offensive or "exaggerated."

Despite his flaws, Ben is committed to protecting his family and his planet, even in the face of challenges. Although he is generally impulsive, reckless, and tends to choose his alien forms based on superficial preferences or favoritism, he is surprisingly aware of his limitations and, in certain situations, manages to choose the correct form without any encouragement from others. Ben is also cautious with alien forms over which he has little control, often needing encouragement to even consider using them.

Abilities

Ben has already demonstrated enhanced physical capabilities, possibly resulting from the Omnitrix's physiological adaptations.

Fictional character biography

The three stopped near Mount Rushmore, where Ben ended up seeing a capsule fall while collecting firewood. Upon arriving at the crash site, he found the Omnitrix, which was stuck to his wrist. Immediately, he transformed into Four Arms and confronted some drones that had been sent to Earth to obtain the Omnitrix.^[95] After unlocking his 11th alien, Gax, Ben encounters Vilgax. Vilgax absorbs Gax's DNA to regain his full power, removing Gax from the Omnitrix. While battling Vilgax, Ben uses Upgrade to enhance the Omnitrix, which removes Upgrade from the Omnitrix and unlocks a new alien named Shock Rock. Shock Rock's influence gives Ben's other aliens "Omni-Enhanced" forms, coating them in electrical rock armor similar to Shock Rock's own.^[96][97]

Ben and Vilgax travel within the Omnitrix and meet Glitch, a hybrid entity created from Ben and Upgrade's DNA. It is revealed that Shock Rock had been sending signals to his species' home planet, creating a portal that allows the Fulmni to invade Earth. The three battle the Fulmini, but matters are complicated when the High Override sends Vilgax to the Null Void and Ben is placed under his control. Max and Gwen go within the Omnitrix and help Ben break free from the Override's control and help defeat the High Override. The Omnitrix reboots and Glitch transports them and himself out of the Omnitrix.^{[98][99][100][101][102]}

Phill Billings, Max's friend, gives the Tennysons the Omni Copter to traverse around the world and they learn that Ben's old schooler Kevin Levin has his own version of the Omnitrix dubbed the Antitrix. Ben and Kevin form a rivalry with each other and battle around the world.^[103][104] In Crossover Nexus, Ben is sent to the Nexus Realm, where, along with Garnet, K.O., and Raven, they defeat Strike, who was stealing the powers of Cartoon Network characters.^[105] Meanwhile, the mysterious Forever Knight is gathering intel on Ben. Ben is manipulated into working with the Forever Knight and the group of villains he has gathered up for his goal of preventing alien life from reaching Earth, only to come to his senses and betray Forever Knight.^[106][107]

In the film, VS The Universe, Vilgax crashes to Earth in a pod that is mistaken for a meteor. While trying to stop the pod, Ben is abducted by a spaceship and is sent to the Null Void, where he meets Azmuth, the creator of the Omnitrix. Ben learns how to unlock more aliens, including several transformations that were previously locked off and lost, and leaves the Null Void to return to Earth. Meanwhile, the Tennysons are assisting Kevin, but encounter Vilgax. Vilgax takes the Antitrix from Kevin and attacks the Tennysons, Phil, and Kevin. Vilgax grows exhausted of setbacks and terraforms Earth, but Ben stops him and Azmuth uses the Omnitrix to return Earth to normal.^[94]

Towards the end of summer, Ben meets his future self and defends Earth from the invading Xerge.^[108] He assists a young Rex Salazar^[109] and teams up with several alternate versions of himself throughout the multiverse to stop an evil Alien X, who turns out to be an alternative version of Ben.^[110]

Ben 10,000 (2005 series & Omniverse)

Ben 10,000 (voiced by Fred Tatasciore in the original series and Judd Nelson in Omniverse)^[111][112] is a version of Ben from a possible future. In this context, he has mastered all the functions of the Omnitrix, becoming a well-known hero throughout the universe and working full-time. He debuts in the self-titled episode "Ben 10,000" in the 2005 series. After Ben 10,000 defeats Exo-Skull he comes into contact with his younger, 10-year-old self, who was brought 20 years into the future by Gwen, who lured the younger Ben by taking her younger self. Though initially unfazed and resistant, his interaction with his younger self throughout the episode helps him change his ways, and the two face off against Vilgax and Dr. Animo. By the end of the episode, he learns to loosen up and value his family.^[33] His next appearance is in the episode "Ken 10", where he gifts a replica Omnitrix that he made for his son Kenny's 10th birthday. After confronting Kevin 11,000, Ben adopts his son, Devlin.^[113]

Ben 10,000 returns in Omniverse, first briefly appearing in the episode "Ben Again", where is searching for Professor Paradox and warning his younger self about the impending Time War.^[114] He later returns in the two-part story "And Then There Were None" and "And Then There Was Ben", fighting alongside his teenage counterpart, Paradox, alternate heroic Bens, and an alternate Gwen 10 against an alliance led by Vilgax and Eon, along with several evil Ben counterparts.^[88][89] In "Let's Do the Time War Again", he assists his younger self and Paradox in confronting Eon and the Time Beast,^[115] and in "The End of an Era", it is shown that he is married to Kai Green, and he confronts Malturant again and discovers that his son Kenny has been secretly traveling through time to aid Ben under the alias Chrono Spanner.^[116]

Ben 10,000 (Ultimate Alien)

Ben 10,000 (voiced by Sean Donnellan)^[117] is a different version of Ben 10,000 than the one introduced in the 2005 series. He is introduced in Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, in the episode "Ben 10,000 Returns". This version of Ben used the Ultimatrix and learned to use magic, in addition to unlocking "Ultimate Ben," which allows him to use his alien powers without transforming. He also became president of Earth for a brief period, before being succeeded by Gwen. Ben travels to the past with Professor Paradox, and with the help of his younger self, prevented Eon from using the Hands of Armageddon.^[69]

Ben 23

Ben 23 (voiced by Tara Strong) is an alternate version of Ben from Dimension 23. He debuts in Ben 10: Omniverse, in the episode "Store 23".^[85] Following the death of his grandfather Max, Ben 23 grew up without guidance and used the Omnitrix primarily for fame and financial success, becoming an arrogant celebrity hero who prioritizes publicity over helping others. After meeting Ben Prime, he begins to reassess his behavior and gradually moves toward becoming a more responsible hero under the guidance of his dimension's Azmuth. In "And Then There Were None" and "And Then There Was Ben", Ben 23 is recruited by Professor Paradox alongside several alternate versions of Ben to stop Vilgax's attempt to eliminate every Ben Tennyson in the multiverse, though he is temporarily erased by the Chronosapien Time Bomb before being restored and helping defeat Vilgax.^[88][89] In "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad Ben World: Part 1" and "Part 2", Ben Prime mentors Ben 23 to become a better hero, leading to a confrontation with Maltruant and the tyrannical Mad Ben in another dimension. After the conflict, Ben 23 reflects on his responsibilities and acknowledges that he should use the Omnitrix to improve people's lives.^[91][92]

No Watch Ben

No Watch Ben^{[note 2]} (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) is an alternate version of Ben Tennyson introduced in Ben 10: Omniverse from a timeline where he never discovered the Omnitrix, living an otherwise ordinary life in Bellwood. As a result, he grows up without the adventures that shaped his Prime counterpart, leaving him bored with his routine and distant from Gwen after their uneventful summer trip with Grandpa Max. When he encounters hostile alternate versions of himself in the episode "And Then There Were None", No Watch Ben initially panics due to his lack of combat experience and the sudden revelation that other Bens can transform into aliens.^[88]

In "And Then There Was Ben", Professor Paradox recruits No Watch Ben to help repair the timeline after Vilgax uses the Chronosapien Time Bomb to erase every Omnitrix-wielding Ben from existence. Using Ben Prime's Omnitrix, No Watch Ben travels back in time to ensure that his counterpart originally discovers the device, later restoring the erased Bens by transforming into Clockwork. After helping defeat Vilgax, he returns the Omnitrix to Ben Prime and learns that heroism is defined by one's actions rather than the Omnitrix itself.^[89]

Mad Ben

Mad Ben^{[note 3]} (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) is an evil alternate version of Ben Tennyson from a post-apocalyptic dimension where Bellwood has become a desert wasteland. A tyrannical warlord wielding a spiked Omnitrix known as the Power Watch, Mad Ben rules his world through fear and brutality, believing his heroic counterparts are weak. He is first seen in the Ben 10: Omniverse episodes "And Then There Were None" and "And Then There Was Ben", where he is recruited by Eon and Vilgax alongside other villainous Ben variants to eliminate No Watch Ben. Like the other Omnitrix-wielding Bens, he is erased when Vilgax activates the Chronosapien Time Bomb before later being restored when No Watch Ben reverses its effects.^[88][89]

Mad Ben returns as the central antagonist of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad Ben World: Part 1" and "Part 2", when Ben Prime and Ben 23 are accidentally transported to his dimension. There, he forces enslaved citizens to search for Maltruant's lost Time Key and battles his heroic counterparts while attempting to maintain control of his wasteland empire. After a prolonged confrontation, Mad Ben is ultimately defeated when Ben Prime incapacitates him and his own allies turn against him, leading to his arrest and the liberation of his subjects.^[91][92]

Ben 10,000 (2016 series)

Ben 10,000 (voiced by Fred Tatasciore)^[111] is a version of Ben from a dystopian future who appears in the Ben 10 special "Ben 10,010". This Ben had a confrontation with Steam Smythe and had accidentally sent a signal to the invasive species known as Xerge who invaded Earth. Ben's Omnitrix upgraded for the fourth time and had given him access to 10,000 aliens. During an incident, Ben had failed his friends and family. After 20 years in hiding, Ben emerges to battle the Xerge. After some arguing, Ben has a vision of his past self and travels back in time through a time portal developed by his former enemies Steam Smythe and Dr. Animo. He brings his past self to the future and the two of them face off against the Xerge and successfully defeat them. After young Ben returns to the past, Ben 10,000 shaves his beard, loses weight, and returns to his hero activities.^[108]

Ben X

Ben X^{[note 4]} (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) is an adult Ben from an alternate timeline who appears in the Ben 10 special "Alien X-Tinction". In his timeline, Gwen and Grandpa Max are killed when Vilgax destroys the Rustbucket during a battle, leading Ben to defeat Vilgax in a rage by shattering the Omnitrix as Four Arms, triggering an explosion that also unlocks Alien X. Traumatized by the loss of his family, this Ben becomes bitter and vengeful, deciding that every Ben across the multiverse should suffer the same fate. As Alien X, he travels across dimensions stealing Omnitrixes and attacking other Bens until he is ultimately defeated by the Team Tennyson of Dimension 27998.3. After his defeat, he is taken to the Null Void by Alternate Max, who plans to rehabilitate him following his imprisonment.^[110]

Other versions

Other notable versions of Ben across the franchise include:

• Bad Ben^{[note 5]} (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) is an evil alternate version of Ben Tennyson who appears in the Ben 10: Omniverse episodes "And Then There Were None" and "And Then There Was Ben". Sadistic and manipulative, he is recruited by Eon and Vilgax to eliminate No Watch Ben and fights alongside other villainous Ben variants. After being erased by the Chronosapien Time Bomb, he is later restored when No Watch Ben reverses its effects before being returned to his own timeline.^[88][89]
• Nega Ben^{[note 6]} (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) is an evil alternate version of Ben Tennyson who appears in the Ben 10: Omniverse episodes "And Then There Were None" and "And Then There Was Ben". Characterized by a gloomy and apathetic personality, he is recruited by Eon and Vilgax alongside other villainous Ben variants to eliminate No Watch Ben and participates in the battle between the good and evil Bens. After being erased by the Chronosapien Time Bomb, he is later restored when No Watch Ben reverses its effects before ultimately being returned to his own dimension.^[88][89]
• Benzarro (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) is an alternate version of Ben Tennyson who appears in the Ben 10: Omniverse episodes "And Then There Were None" and "And Then There Was Ben". Originating from a reality affected by a zombie-like outbreak, Benzarro has a monstrous appearance and primitive behavior, often speaking in broken phrases and acting instinctively. Recruited by Eon and Vilgax alongside other villainous Ben variants, he participates in the hunt for No Watch Ben and the ensuing battle between the good and evil Bens. After being erased by the Chronosapien Time Bomb, he is later restored when No Watch Ben reverses its effects before ultimately being returned to his own dimension.^[88][89]

Film

Philips (left) and Kelley (right) portrayed Ben in Race Against Time and Alien Swarm, respectively

Video games

• Ben appears in Ben 10, a video game released in 2006 for the Mattel HyperScan.
• Ben appears in 2007 game Ben 10: Protector of Earth, voiced by Tara Strong. It released for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Wii.
• Ben appears in Ben 10: Alien Force, voiced by Yuri Lowenthal. It was released in 2008 for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Wii.
• Ben appears in Ben 10: Alien Force – Vilgax Attacks, voiced again by Lowenthal. It was released in 2009 for Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, and Xbox 360.
• Ben appears in Ben 10: Alien Force – The Rise of Hex, voiced again by Lowenthal. It was released in 2010 for Wii and Xbox 360.
• Ben appears in Ben 10: Ultimate Alien – Cosmic Destruction, voiced again by Lowenthal. It was released in 2010 for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, and Xbox 360.
• Ben appears as a playable character in Ben 10: Galactic Racing, with Lowenthal reprising his role. It was released in 2011 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo DS.
• Ben appears in the game as a playable character in the 2011 game Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion. Swampfire, Humongousaur, Big Chill, and AmpFibian appear as Ben's playable aliens. The young version of Ben appears in the console version of the game as a playable character. Both Lowenthal and Strong reprise their roles as teenage and young Ben respectively.
• Ben appears in Ben 10: Omniverse, with Yuri Lowenthal and Tara Strong reprising their roles as teenage and young Ben respectively. It was released in 2012 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Wii and Wii U.
• Ben appears in Ben 10: Omniverse 2, voiced again by Lowenthal. It was released in 2013 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS, Wii and Wii U.
• Ben appears in Ben 10, voiced by Tara Strong. It is set in continuity of the 2016 series. It was released in 2017 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Windows.
• Ben appears in Ben 10: Power Trip, voiced again by Strong. It was released in 2021 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Windows.
• Ben appears in Minecraft as part of the Ben 10 DLC pack, featuring both Story Mode and Free Roam Mode.^[122][123]

Comics

• Ben appears in the Ben 10 comic, 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, travelling in the Rust Bucket.
  • Ben appears in the Ben 10: Alien Force comic revolves around Ben, with Gwen and a reformed Kevin, battling the Highbreed and the DNAliens.
• Ben appears in the Cartoon Network Action Pack comics, which 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.
• Ben was featured in comics by IDW Publishing in partnership with Cartoon Network to produce comics based on Cartoon Network properties. Ben 10 was one of the titles announced to be published.^[124]