BEN 10, a new 30-minute sci-fi action/adventure series, premieres on Cartoon Network Jan. 13, 2006, at 7:30 pm, before moving to its regularly scheduled time and day, Saturdays at 10:00 am.
This animated adventure begins when Ben Tennyson, an average 10-year-old boy, who discovers The Omnitrix, a genetic tool that attaches itself to Bens wrist. The Omnitrix allows Ben to temporarily morph into one of 10 aliens while maintaining his 10-year-old personality. When Bens not saving the world as one of 10 superhero aliens, hes traveling the country with his Grandpa Max and Cousin Gwen for the summer.
BEN 10, created by Man Of Action (Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau, Steve Seagle), has been given the greenlight for 26 half-hour episodes. The series is being produced at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, Calif.
The Omnitrix, a genetic weapon, allows Ben to morph temporarily into one of 10 alien heroes: Heatblast, Upgrade, Grey Matter, Stinkfly, Ghostfreak, Ripjaw, Wildmutt, XLR8, Fourarms and Diamondhead. Bens body temporarily transforms into one of these bizarre aliens, each with their own set of special abilities, but his mind stays the same, which can sometimes have a little trouble figuring out how to act like a superhero.
Each of the alien heros powers focus on one specialty: fire, strength, supernatural, geological, size, swimming, technology, athletic ability, flight or speed. Ben must determine which superhero alien is needed and when to activate it using The Omnitrix. The Omnitrix has a mind of its own and will accidentally choose a different alien than the one Ben picked, leading him into some difficult situations. The Omnitrix has many secrets that Ben will learn to unlock over time.
The Omnitrix is the most powerful weapon in the Universe and is sought after by an intergalactic bad guy, named Vilgax, who will stop at nothing to get it away from Ben.
Ben enjoys traveling with Grandpa Max, a good-humored and open-minded mentor who wants to put a little more excitement into his grandsons life by taking him on a cross-country summer vacation. Ben and Grandpa are joined on their road trip by Bens cousin Gwen, who is smart, level-headed and not exactly thrilled to be along for the ride. As the voice of reason, shes invaluable in times of chaos.
Bens main challenges are finding the best way to harness his power and making good decisions about when to summon his inner superheroes. Worldly and wise grandfather and shrewd cousin Gwen are there to keep him in check and bail him out of trouble when he needs it.
What kid doesnt want to be a superhero? And wouldnt being 10 superheroes be 10 times as cool? said Sam Register, Cartoon Network svp of development. BEN 10 will continue in the tradition that Cartoon Network has established of creating a new generation of superhero shows, like TEEN TITANS and JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED, for a new generation of kids. Its an undeniably original premise with amazing alien heroes and incredible villains.
The series features a retro design with rather thinly saturated colors, with almost a grainy texture.
Main credits follow:
Exec Producer: Register
Supervising Director: Alex Soto
Art Director/Lead Character Designer: Dave Johnson
Background Design Supervisor: Nollan Obena
Background Designer: Poe Tan
Character Designers: Tom Perkins & Phillip Bourassa
Story Editors: Tom Pugsley & Greg Klein
Storyboard Directors: Scooter Tidwell & Sebastian Montes
Storyboard Artists: Jill Trousdale, Tim Divar, John Fang, Fred Reyes, David Chlystek, Rick Morales, Vinton Heuck
Starring the Voices of: Tara Strong (Ben & Upgrade), Paul Eiding (Grandpa Max), Meagan Smith (Gwen), Blum (Ghostfreak, Heatblast & Vilgax), Dee Bradley Baker (Stinkfly & Wildmutt), Richard McGonagle (Fourarms), Fred Tatasciore (Ripjaws), Richard Horvitz (Grey Matter), Jim Ward (Diamondhead & XLR8) Timing Director: Patrick Gleeson
Color Key: Ross Malorzo & Pam Friend
Prop Design: Dusty Abell
Background Painter: Kersti Myrberg & Nora Berden
Casting Director/Voice Director: Kris Zimmerman Salter
Picture Editor: Mark Collins
Line Producer: Kelly Crews
Line Producer: Donna Smith
Production Coordinator: Rossi Lazarova
Production Assistants: Rebecca Palatnik & Michael Collins
