20 Years Ago, Cartoon Network’s Coolest Superhero Show Debuted a Multiverse (And Its Creators Want to Bring It Back)

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Two decades ago, Cartoon Network launched a groundbreaking superhero series that introduced a whole new universe of characters. The creators are still eager to revisit this world with future projects. In the early 2000s, Cartoon Network was known for taking risks and trying out innovative shows to reach a broader audience. Many of these programs focused on exciting stories, unique transformations, and dynamic action. One show, in particular, perfectly combined all these elements with a young hero who had the power to transform into different aliens.

Premiering on Cartoon Network on December 27, 2005, Ben 10 quickly became a popular show. It told the story of Ben Tennyson, a boy who discovered a special watch called the Omnitrix. This watch gave him the ability to transform into ten different aliens, and eventually many more. The series grew into a huge franchise with sequels, reboots, and a complex universe, and its creators are now hoping to continue the story.

It Started When an Alien Device Did What it Did

Ben 10 first aired on Cartoon Network on December 27, 2005 – over 20 years ago – and quickly became a fan favorite. It was one of several shows that had a preview before its official launch, along with series like My Gym Partner is a Monkey and Robotboy. However, Ben 10 proved to be the most enduring. It arrived at just the right moment for Cartoon Network, which was looking for a new flagship show after its older, well-loved programs had ended.

Ben 10 had a lot of exciting possibilities. The Omnitrix allowed Ben to transform into ten different aliens, changing things up each episode. The unpredictable nature of which alien he’d become gave the show’s creators – a team called “Man of Action” consisting of John Kent, Clark Murphy, Joe Casey, Steven T. Seagle, Duncan Rouleau, and Joe Kelly – the freedom to create diverse and engaging stories and adventures.

Beyond the popular TV show, Ben 10 was a huge success with toys and other merchandise. The original series ran for four years and then expanded into several sequels, each set at a different point in Ben’s life. These included Ben 10: Alien Force and Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, geared towards older audiences, and later Ben 10: Omniverse, which introduced a shared multiverse with countless timelines. The creators were building towards a large, interconnected universe of shows, even planning to include other series like Generator Rex.

Ben 10’s Creators Want to Bring it Back

Ben 10 has consistently appeared in different forms – including TV shows, movies, and a recent reboot – up until 2021. The creators, Man of Action, are still interested in continuing the series with fresh content. They’re currently exploring new stories through comics and have also shared ideas for what a future animated series could look like.

Duncan Rouleau has publicly stated that Ben 10 would be a great fit for a more mature version of the show, and the team is hoping to bring it back with enough fan support. This discussion comes as Cartoon Network undergoes changes due to the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, and will likely evolve further once the network is sold to Netflix. However, Ben 10 is uniquely suited for multiple reimaginings, as its fans are already used to seeing different versions of the hero.

Ben 10 was a landmark superhero show for Cartoon Network, but it doesn’t always get the same recognition as some of the network’s funnier series. It was a major success for Cartoon Network during a period of change, and looking back, it’s clear just how important the show’s debut really was.

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2025-12-31 00:42