8 Aliens I'd Want In My Ben 10 Omnitrix Watch
Will the new upcoming comic book feature any of your favorites? Check out mine!
As the show’s theme song melodically states, “It started when an alien device did what it did!”
Who doesn’t love Ben 10? What began as a quick studio pitch about a boy with a watch full of aliens he can temporarily transform into has blossomed into a fully realized franchise. The series boasts five distinct television shows, all with distinct art styles, powerful aliens, and varying degrees of fan acceptance.
Ben 10 is resurging (and resurrecting) in popularity after it was recently announced that a comic series would come out featuring the titular hero. More adventures with Ben, Gwen, Grandpa Max, and Kevin are on the way. There are even rumors that these characters will be breaking into the coveted Fortnite shop later this summer.
There’s so much to enjoy about this creative series, especially the odd aliens Ben can become. They all have useful abilities and intricate designs, and some are even sentient beings trapped in the Omnitrix - so sick. It’s a “magical girl” genre show marketed to boys that worked wonders.
Ben uses his fair share of aliens, but here is who would be in my alien-sent watch. Also, did you know the Omnitrix was supposed to go to Grandpa Max and Ben got it by mistake? Gosh, this series is so good.
1. Cannonbolt
My favorite! The colors pop, the rolling-at-super-speed powers always cause mayhem, and the spiky teeth are just icing on the cuteness cake. He’s not in the original 10, being unlocked later in the first series, which was a fun way to learn that more aliens were on the way. It seems like Cannonbolt isn’t just my top choice, as the writers brought the creature back for other iterations of the series.
2. Upgrade
Upgrade is a liquid-y black and green alien with the usurping ability to overtake any technology. He floods over it, getting into every nook and cranny, and then controls whatever the object is. Ben can override cars, bulldozer cranes, pretty much anything can be ‘Upgraded.’ I’d go inside every vending machine or ATM, so Ben is in for a good time if he ever uses the Omnitrix for evil.
3. Heatblast
The very first alien Ben becomes after finding the Omnitrix is fire-shooting, made-of-magma Heatblast. Heatblast’s prolonged flight and quickness save Ben more than a handful of times. I consider Heatblast one of the most recognizable Ben 10 alien designs, too. In a fun twist, there was one episode where Ben was under the weather, and transforming into Heatblast made him shoot ice instead of fire. Thus ‘Sickfire’ was born. The idea of a species totally changing power sets based on its health status is interesting. I wish it was explored more.
4. Ghostfreak
If you weren’t scared of this alien as a kid- then you truly are built different! The original episodes lead up to the reveal that something’s not quite right with this alien, giving Ben a scary feeling whenever he’s picked.
It turns out, there’s a sentient personality within Ghostfreak itching to break free of Ben and the Omnitrix. The chilling voice and moving eyeball that can transfer anywhere on his ghoulish body make Ghostfreak one to watch - and one to watch out for. That intangibility power is sneaky! He can also rip himself inside out to reveal these crazy tentacles within him, which continue to haunt my nightmares.
5. Echo Echo
Some people hated this guy, but not me! The ability to multiply can be annoying to the villain, and Ben’s sass as Echo Echo always makes sure the quick quips land hard. Echo Echo was all about teamwork, using the multiple clones together in creative ways to throw enemies off. This alien really showed how Ben could be a creative problem solver when it came to utilizing a creature to its fullest.
6. Wildvine
Plant king! Wildvine comes in clutch to help Ben throughout the show, whether allowing him to stretch across long distances to safety or granting him spikes that can tear through constraints. Sure, he may have a lot in common with fan-fave Swampfire, but Wildvine is a welcome addition to any Omnitrix.
7. Grey Matter
The tiny little guy always comes in handy when Ben needs him. The Omnitrix never gives Ben exactly the alien he selects (maybe because he slaps the crap out of it), so he often becomes this 6-inch-tall alien instead of someone like Four Arms when strength is needed. Just don’t look up the live-action Grey Matter from the cringe Ben 10 movie, he will worm his way into your darkest nightmares. Chills. It’s interesting to later learn about Azmuth, the curmudgeon creator of the Omnitrix, who is the same species as Grey Matter. Small and smart, Grey Matter’s got the situation under control.
8. Alien X
The strongest creature in all the universe, and inside the all-powerful Omnitrix, is Alien X. They are made up of Ben and two sassy faces floating in space. One represents the voice of love, the other symbolizes rage. They have to be in agreement with Ben to activate the power of Alien X, which can go so far as to recreate universes. Nobody beats Alien X. Having to negotiate with two others to utilize the full abilities is a great failsafe to keep power out of the wrong hands.
Who’d be in your Omnitrix? Let me know!