Cartoon Network nostalgia is having a real moment, and now Ben 10 is back in the spotlight — just not on TV yet.
The latest comeback for Ben Tennyson comes through a new Ben 10 comic book series from Dynamite Comics, with the original creators involved in building a fresh version of the universe. For fans who grew up watching Ben slap the Omnitrix and transform into alien heroes after school, this one is a fun little throwback with a few clear changes.
The biggest visual change so far? Grandpa Max looks different now.
Grandpa Max gets a redesign
In the first issue of the new comic, Ben, Gwen, and Grandpa Max are once again tied to a camping-trip setup — very classic Ben 10 energy. Ben and Gwen still look pretty close to their original Cartoon Network versions, but Max has been updated.
This rebooted Grandpa Max now has a beard and appears slimmer compared to older versions of the character seen across the franchise. It is not a total reinvention, but it is noticeable enough for longtime fans to immediately clock it.
Honestly, that makes sense. Reboots need to signal that this is not just a copy-paste nostalgia product. Keeping Ben and Gwen familiar while changing Max slightly gives the comic a fresh identity without throwing away the original vibe.
The original creators are treating this as a big reset
The new comic is not some random side project either. The original Ben 10 creators are back, and co-creator Joe Casey has described this version as an “Absolute” take on Ben 10.
The idea seems to be: pull from every previous version of the franchise, keep what works, and build a version that can satisfy both old fans and new readers. That is a smart play, because Ben 10 has been through multiple series, reboots, alien rosters, and art styles over the years.
For Malaysian and SEA fans, this hits a very specific nostalgia lane. Ben 10 was one of those Cartoon Network shows that basically lived on Astro-era TV schedules, alongside stuff like Teen Titans, The Powerpuff Girls, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and later Regular Show. A lot of us did not just watch Ben 10 — we collected the toys, argued about the best aliens, and probably wanted an Omnitrix from pasar malam or Toys“R”Us.
So even if this comeback is happening through comics first, the brand still has pull here.
Will Ben 10 return as an animated series?
For now, there is no confirmed TV adaptation of this new comic storyline. That is the big question, especially with Cartoon Network revisiting older franchises. Regular Show is also making a comeback with Regular Show: The Lost Tapes, so fans are naturally wondering whether Ben 10 could be next.
Original co-creator Duncan Rouleau has previously said the team would do what they can to make a Cartoon Network return happen, but there was nothing official to announce at the time. That comment came before the reported Warner Bros and Paramount/Skydance shake-up mentioned by ComicBook, which makes Cartoon Network’s future feel even more uncertain.
Still, the important thing is that Ben 10 is not dead. Even without a new animated series confirmed, Man of Action is clearly keeping the Tennyson family active in entertainment.
For fans in Malaysia and SEA, this is worth watching because Ben 10 is one of those franchises that can easily explode again if Warner Bros or Cartoon Network decides to push it properly — comics, animation, toys, streaming, the whole package. If the comic performs well, don’t be shocked if the Omnitrix starts lighting up again on screen later.
For now, Grandpa Max has a beard, Ben is back, and the reboot era has officially begun.
Source: ComicBook Anime