I read the news out loud to my youngest, and he immediately started crafting a letter to Santa. You know, even though it’s May. Because as soon as he heard that Ben 10: Alien Force is being made into a video game it was a no-brainer that nothing better could possibly come along between now and Christmas, right?

Ben 10: Alien Force The Game begins five years after Ben put away the DNA-scrambling Omnitrix. With Grandpa Max missing and a diabolical Highbreed alien plot threatening planet Earth, gamers must help Ben take the Omnitrix out of retirement and lead eight different playable characters—including cousin Gwen, enemy-turned-ally Kevin Levin and five of Ben’s brand new alien forms—in super-powered battle with the intergalactic invaders. New aliens Swampfire, Jet Ray, Humungousaur, Spidermonkey and Big Chill allow Ben to manipulate fire, swim underwater, grow more than 60 feet tall, stick to walls and fly at mach speed. Players will also be able to harness Gwen’s new talent to create an energy shield and use it to protect and attack, and Kevin Levin’s ability to absorb materials like concrete, wood and metal to create an impenetrable shell on his body.

The fast-paced, 3D, side-scrolling action-adventure offers an unlimited combo system, along with puzzles and challenges that will engage players of all skill levels. The Nintendo DS version will offer alternate playable alien forms including Goop and Echo Echo, giving players additional unique powers to command and explore.

The article reports that D3Publishing will be developing the game for all major platforms, and release is scheduled for this Fall. Just in time for holiday shopping, sounds like.

I suppose it’s too much to hope for a special wii controller that’s basically an Omnitrix, right? Hey, I can hope….

Here in my house we looked forward to the debut of Ben 10: Alien Force with something akin to reverence. “What do you think it’ll be like?” my son asked me, several hundred times.

“I don’t know, honey,” I would respond with infinite patience (ha!), “Why don’t we wait and see?” And then—right before I was going to have to duct tape his mouth shut or start wearing earplugs—the show debuted.

The verdict in our house? Well, now instead of asking what I think it’ll be, my son trails me wanting to fill me in on every last new alien and asking me which one is my favorite. (I’m supposed to have a favorite alien? This was not in the manual.) In other words, this newest incarnation of Ben 10 is an unmitigated success, so far as we’re concerned. But just to make sure, I went so far as to ask my son if he liked this better than the original.

“Oh yes!” he assured me. So I asked him why that was, and he said, “Because now Ben’s got more betterer aliens!” So, you know, there you go.

Unfortunately, not all Ben 10 fans have been quite as enthusiastic as my son. Newsarama’s Steve Fritz did a great interview with Ben 10 creator Glen Murakami because, as he put it:

In less than a half hour the first internet troll came out from under his bridge to start screaming how he hated, hated, hated Ben 10: Alien Force. Within the hour said bottom feeder was joined by a horde of others. They felt it their right to vent and mewl pitifully about the changes to the show. They called it a grand conspiracy by Cartoon Network to sell new lines of action figures. They accused all of even more heinous crimes.

Murakami does an admirable job of defending the series… not that you’d expect any less from the man behind an alien hero named Brainstorm. Go read it; you won’t be sorry.

Really, I think that’s something of an oxymoron; have you been inside the bedroom of a small boy, recently? Aren’t they, by definition, alien hangouts? Oh, maybe that’s just my small boy’s room, what with the socks of dubious origin (and fragrance) and clutter of Lego creations….

Regardless, I suppose the Ben 10 aliens would yield a different sort of alien hangout, and from now until April 10th, Ben 10 fans can enter Bandai’s new sweepstakes:

Boys across the nation are on the lookout for an alien invasion as Bandai America Inc. launches its “Ultimate Alien Hangout” sweepstakes. Inspired by Cartoon Network’s hit television series for boys 6-11, Ben 10™, boys will now have a chance to make anytime hero time by entering the Ultimate Alien Hangout sweepstakes. One lucky winner will score an awesome Ben 10 room transformation to live out alien adventures just like everyone’s favorite kid hero, Ben Tennyson, while additional prizes will be given to one hundred runners-up.

(What, no prize where the winner takes home one of everything in the Ben 10 Store? My son will be outraged!)

Your little Ben 10 fan can enter the sweepstakes on Bandai’s site, and according to the official rules, there’s no limit to the number of times you can enter.

And there’s more, too:

Ben 10 fans can get a glimpse of the Ultimate Alien Hangout room transformation by tuning into Designing Spaces. The home makeover show will broadcast a fan’s room transformation, while also offering viewers some easy do-it-yourself tips to create the ultimate alien hangout with their existing Ben 10 collection. Episodes will begin to air March 22 on TLC, with additional runs expected throughout the spring on Women’s Entertainment and local network affiliates across the country (check your local listings for days and times).

We’ll be setting the DVR for that one. Because who doesn’t want to some do-it-yourself tips on creating the ultimate alien hangout? No one who leaves their laundry on the floor ’round here, that’s for sure.

I have to tell you that—despite a deep love of all things Ben 10 around here, as it mandated by law in a household containing a smallish boychild—the expanding Ben 10 franchise is not met with glee, ’round here.

Oh, it was at first. Sure. If you love Ben 10, what’s not to love about more of it? Nothing, says I! Or, at least I did, right up until the live-action movie. Ben 10: Race Against Time was… well, it was okay. It wasn’t as good as we’d hoped. To be fair, it’s hard to top such a kick-butt cartoon with a small-screen live-action version, I’d think. But even my son was unimpressed.

And so I’ve not exactly been chomping at the bit since then, when it comes to other spin-offs.

Until now.

Toon Zone recently announced that Ben 10: Alien Force is coming this spring to Cartoon Network, and in addition to a sneak-peak at the artwork (the image above, included), they had this to say:

Ben 10: Alien Force begins the next chapter in the continuing Ben 10 saga five years later when 15-year-old Ben Tennyson chooses to once again put on the OMNITRIX and discovers that it has reconfigured his DNA and can now transform him into 10 brand new aliens. Joined by his super-powered cousin Gwen Tennyson and his equally powerful former enemy Kevin Levin, Ben is on a mission to find his missing Grandpa Max. In order to save his Grandpa, Ben must defeat the evil DNALIENS, a powerful alien race intent on destroying the galaxy, starting with planet Earth. Ben will join forces with other young heroes to save the galaxy and his Grandpa Max, while passing along his knowledge to a whole new generation. The animated series will premiere with a special one-hour episode on Cartoon Network in Spring 2008.

The description sounds good, of course, but it’s actually the artwork that has me intrigued. I keep looking at the pictures and thinking they seem… familiar… somehow. Oh, wait a minute:

[…] with supervising producer Glen Murakami (Teen Titans) and story editor Dwayne McDuffie (Justice League).

Is it just me, or does teenage Ben look a little bit like he’d be right at home eating pizza with Beast Boy and Robin? The stylization reminds me of some of my favorite cartoons, and brings me right back to a place where I’m happy to make any excuse to plunk myself down next to the kids for half an hour to “supervise” their TV time.

Okay, Man of Action (or should I call them Men of Action?)—you did it. You roped me back in. We’ll be watching!

Let me ask you a very simple question. I know—we all know—that you love your kids and want to get them the things they love. Of course. And naturally you’d like to save a little money in the process, too. But just let me ask you something:

Is there some reason you’d rather head out on the busiest shopping day of the year at o’dark thirty just so that you can fight the crowds and the traffic, vs. staying in and ordering cool stuff online from the comfort of your own home (and possibly while still in your jammies)?

That’s right.

For the first time, Ty’s Toy Box is making their Black Friday specials known a few days in advance so that you can plan your day accordingly. (I recommend a cup of coffee while you finish your shopping online, followed by something like a cinnamon roll as a reward for having gotten it all done early and under budget.) Read through; bookmark what you need; and then get ready to rock on Friday, November 23rd, 2007.

Read on for the full list of Ty’s Toy Box Black Friday specials: (more…)

(Pictured to the side there: Graham Phillips as Ben Tennyson, courtesy of Wikipedia.)

We’ve been talking about it for months. My son has been talking about it for years, or at least it’s really starting to feel that way. But yesterday Cartoon Network finally gave the big victory sign out to the masses: Production on the Ben 10 live action movie has been completed. This, of course, yields a whole new summary of Race Against Time complete with actor profiles:

Graham Phillips (EVAN ALMIGHTY) stars as Ben Tennyson, a normal 10-year-old boy who is able to transform himself into a variety of super aliens like the powerful Heatblast or the beastly Wildmutt. Lee Majors (THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN) also stars as Grandpa Max, who uses his past experiences with the paranormal to guide and protect his grandchildren, Ben and Gwen, through their many adventures in fighting evil.

Haley Ramm (X-MEN 3) is Gwen, Ben’s level-headed 10-year-old cousin and Ben’s much needed voice of reason because despite his ability to change physically, Ben is still a kid at heart and has a little trouble figuring out how to act like a superhero when the pressure is really on. Christien Anholt (RELIC HUNTER) plays Eon of Chronia, Ben’s nemesis in the movie. Eon was the first alien ever captured by Max’s secret organization, “The Plumbers.” The now-escaped Eon is trying to locate the doomsday device that was taken and hidden when he was captured. The device is capable of opening a gateway to Earth, signaling the start of an alien invasion that would mark the end of humankind.

That sounds… well, bad. I mean, an alien invasion that marks the end of humankind seems like it could really put a crimp in your day.

The trailer is floating around YouTube, and I have to admit, it looks pretty slick. Check it out:

The movie won’t be going live until November, though. You could probably find something for your little Ben 10 fan to tide him over until then, but be prepared.

I’m just now catching up on all of the various reporting from last week’s San Diego Comic-Con, and boy does Toon Zone come through with the goods when it comes to one of our current favorites, Ben 10.

You can read their entire report here, but in particular I was interested in the movie news they had to share:

[T]he Ben 10 animated movie, Secret of the Omnitrix, which premieres Friday August 10th with additional airings Saturday and Sunday night that weekend, will actually have three versions depending on which night the viewer watches. Different aliens will appear each night.

Oh, that’s just dastardly. I have to watch it three times? Of course I have to watch it three times. Otherwise I might miss something! I’d better hope my son doesn’t have any plans that weekend, I guess.

(On a side note: Have they been advertising the different versions? I’d seen the trailer but had no idea this was the case until I read it at Toon Zone. Hrm.)

If you’re a bit late to the party and haven’t been looking forward to Secret of the Omnitrix for ages, Wikipedia offers this plot summary:

During a battle with Dr. Animo, Ben Tennyson’s destruction of the scientist’s “DNA bomb” accidentally sets off a self-destruct protocol in the Omnitrix. In order to stop it, he has to travel across space to track down the Omnitrix’s creator. Michael Ouweleen described the film’s villain as “like Darth Vader without the sense of humor.” Trailers of the film confirm that Vilgax will have a part, as will Hoverboard.

If it’s the live action movie you’re wanting information about, they’ve got that over at Toon Zone as well:

In regards to the Ben 10 live action movie, Ben 10: Race Against Time, Director Alex Winter was on hand to discuss its progress. Shooting finished last Friday and Lee Majors (The Six Million Dollar Man) will play Grandpa Max. The plot features Ben returning home at the end of summer and going back to school where it turns out something is amiss involving aliens and fate of universe. Ben’s parents will also make an appearance in the movie and there will be more featured on the history of the Plumbers. While the live action movie shares the same continuity as the series, the events of the movie will not be in continuity. It is set to premiere November 21, 2007. There is the possibility of more live action Ben 10 movies if ratings are strong.

Despite my initial reservations about Ben 10 going live, I have to admit that Lee Majors as Grandpa Max sounds nothing short of awesome. I mean, really, that’s a brilliant stroke of casting, right there.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I apparently need to set my DVR to record Secret of the Omnitrix all three times.

Sometimes when I ask my son what he wants to be when he grows up, he says “An artist!” Sometimes he says he’d like to be a librarian, or a policeman, or simply “Someone who always has cake.”

But I’d better hope I have a lot of time on my hands when I ask him and he answers “I’m gonna be Ben 10!” Because he can’t just say he wants to be Ben 10, he has to tell me why. And that explanation will doubtless include a litany of which aliens have which powers and what sorts of situations call for which things and before I know it I’ve been sucked into an alternate dimension where I am forced to discuss what sorts of super powers I would like to have.

And for some reason, he is never amused when I say “The ability to make my son stop talking.”

Anyway, I would consider it a personal favor if you would not let my son know that D3PA is developing the Ben 10: Protector of Earth video game:

Set to arrive this fall for Wii, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS and PSP, Ben 10: Protector of Earth will allow players to harness the power of the Omnitrix and change into various alien beings in order to save the world vile villains.

I’m telling you, if my son finds out, it would be the end of the world as I know it. On the other hand, maybe if he had the game to play, he wouldn’t ask me quite so often to justify my love of Heatblast. (Heatblast isn’t necessarily my favorite. He’s just the only one whose name I can remember.)

“The Omnitrix’s most popular alien heroes will be accessible as playable characters, and a familiar summer vacation storyline including all-new locations and content for players will immerse gamers in Ben’s world like never before,” says Careen Yapp, VP of licensing and business development for D3PA.

Ben 10: Protector of Earth will feature other characters from the hit show, including Gwen, Grandpa Max, evil Kevin 11, the Forever Knights and Ben’s arch-enemy, Vilgax. Gameplay will involve a number of diverse challenges, puzzles and skirmishes. The Nintendo DS version is under development by 1st Playable Prods. LLC, while all other versions are being created by High Voltage Software Inc. The game is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the ESRB.

I need to come up with a plan, now, before the game comes out. Maybe I can use this as the ultimate bribe. “If you are very, very good maybe Santa will bring it,” I can tell him. But then I have to, you know, let Santa bring it. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions.

Playful Perspectives is a new feature wherein your intrepid Toy Box Mommy (that’s me) and The Toy Guy jointly tackle a topic to give you twice the insight and perhaps slightly different takes on an issue.

Given the current craze for all things Ben 10, I suppose that this news should come as no surprise:

Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), the global branding and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network, has signed with Huffy and Bell Sports to bring Ben 10 branded bicycles and safety equipment to store aisles in time for the summer rush.

Huffy will produce a line of Ben 10 inspired bicycles for the United States and Canada. The bikes have a special handlebar “disk changer” that comes with several changeable character discs, allowing kids to personalize their bikes with their favorite Ben 10 alien heroes.

Bell Sports will develop a full line of helmets and protective gear including knee and elbow pads as well as wrist guards.

On the one hand, I wonder if this is character-branding gone a bit too far. Does Ben 10 have something to do with bicycles? On the other hand, when kids have a special favorite they want it on everything, and I do applaud the application of appealing characters to something inherently active instead of, say, another video game. If this gets a reluctant cyclist out there to play with the disk-changer (and then, hopefully, take a spin around the neighborhood), I’m all for it.

Long ago and far away, when I was but a small girl and dinosaurs roamed the earth, I received my first big-kid bike during the bicentennial celebration year. It was—of course—red, white and blue with stars. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. And as for imaginative play to go with it… well, my brother and I were especially fond of playing Evel Knievel on our bikes, so my patriotic wheels were perfect. (We needn’t discuss the fact that the most I ever managed to jump was perhaps a stone or the end of a two-by-four; we were imagining, darn it.)

I guess that’s why this part of the announcement bothers me so much:

“Sports and sporting goods are an important part of a boy’s life, and thus a critical category in the marketplace,” said Christina Miller, vice president of consumer products for CNE.

Um, Ms. Miller? Is there a special reason you’re planning to cut your target market in half? The last time I checked, girls were Ben 10 fans, too. In fact, my daughter is a pretty die-hard Gwen fan. (What’s not to like? She’s a quintessential tween with a sassy mouth, quick brain, and a healthy disdain for icky boys.)

For a cartoon that’s been so awesome about sparking the imaginations of our kids, I’m disappointed at this apparent lack of imagination on the part of this marketing team. The last time I checked, it was 2007. Equality now, CNE. Girls want to fight the aliens, too.

What do you think? And don’t forget to go check out The Toy Guy’s take!

I’ve been meaning to do a round-up of a few items relating to stuff that’s been posted previously, so today seems as good a day as any to do that. Don’t you always want to read the answers to all of your burning questions before you head into the weekend? Of course you do!

We have a winnah… actually, three of them

Waaaaay back in October I brought your attention to the Design Your Destiny Yu-Gi-Oh! Contest over at 4Kids Entertainment. Remember that? Since then, people keep wandering over to that entry and leaving plaintive comments asking about the results. Well, it turns out that the folks at 4Kids have finally announced the winners and put up the winning drawings. (My son and I agree that Tongue Twister is the most deliciously disgusting of the creatures.)

More Cartoon Network Upfront announcements

The announcements about upcoming plans for Ben 10 were just a slice of all the exciting Cartoon Network plans that were revealed in New York City this week. Both Newsarama and ToonZone have been awesome with their coverage. My favorite news (besides the Ben 10 movie news, that is)? Plans for the upcoming Cartoon Network Invaded:

Foster’s Bloo will send a message out to space causing the Cartoon Network universe to be invaded by all manner of aliens. Every Friday in May, an alien will arrive in a new episode of one of that block’s group of programs to raise havoc or something else, culminating with an all-out alien invasion on Memorial Day.

(I’ve never looked forward to Memorial Day quite so much….)

Some actual animation, finally

Remember my ambivalence over Jerry’s Seinfeld’s Bee Movie? I’m warming up to it. The latest trailer may have helped; the animation is clean and I think i can now say I much prefer Seinfeld in his animated form.

Sometimes they get it right

Today is the much-anticipated opening of Bridge to Terabithia, and I peeked through my fingers while looking up the reviews. Have they done it? Did they manage to take a great book and turn it into a great movie, or did they take a great book and turn it into pulp?

I’m breathing a sigh of relief, and buying us tickets online right now. I can’t wait to see it.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!