A new season of Ben 10 has begun which means a barrage of new & returning faces both from the Omnitrix and the galacy far, far, away. This time Cartoon Network is doing things a little differently, by not only giving a season it’s own name (in the vein of Aqua Teen Hunger Force), but also it’s own remixed opening song and it’s own arc theme. How does the first Halloweenish episode Ben 10: Omniverse hold up?

“Come one, come all!”.

I’ve been watching Ben 10 since the series made it’s debut back in 2005, and while that series only lasted a mere 3 seasons. It made over $2 billion in merchandise and toy sales and was a major ratings success. Not only that, but the original series spanned quite a few TV movies, both animated and live-action, as well as 3 direct sequel series and a fifth being rumored to be in the works. I’m sure not even Cartoon Network, nor series creators Man of Action saw Ben 10 skyrocketing like it has. Nearly 10 years since the original debut and the series remains successful with Ben 10: Omniverse. This week after a hiatus, the series returned with the start of a new Halloween themed season that will see it paying homage to some classic horror films of both old & recent.

Warning: Full to near complete episode spoilers for “Something Zombozo This Way Comes” are posted below. If you haven’t seen this episode yet, then please avoid this review until doing so. you have been warned.

Meet Frankenstrike and the new aliens of Galactic Monsters.

THE GOOD: While the start of the episode was a bit slow with a bored Ben complaining to Rook about the lack of action, things picked up after a few minutes putting them in a circus which immediately prompts Ben into thinking it has to do with Zombozo. It was nice to have them bring up Ben’s former fear of clowns, which was a pretty funny gag back in the original series. Eventually Ben & Rook stumble upon a pair of fake chatter teeth, which ends up passing some clown virus onto Rook and the other citizens of Bellwood that get bitten by them.

Zombozo and his freaks return.

The Omnitrix, mishaps still taking place are both awkward and comedic moments, and Ben transforming into the wrong alien three times within seconds of each transformation brought a few laughs. Though, this mishap was mostly due to Ben’s supposed fear of Zombozo, which turned out to be a fake, although he did come clean about fearing clowns at some point. Rath is still one of the most hilarious things about Ben 10 “Let me tell ya something, Rath doesn’t appreciate your use of irony!”.

Zombozo’s Omniverse re-design is creepy.

THE BAD: A pretty slow start for a kid’s action cartoon. and they could have done a little more with the Zombozo reveal. It just felt way too plain.

This crowd is quite amused.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: The return of Ben 10: Omniverse was a welcomed one, and I’m looking forward to seeing what this Halloween arc will be bringing as far as new aliens and villains goes. The slow the start of “Something Zombozo This Way Comes” was pretty slow and the Zombozo reveal could have been done a little bit better. Howeverm the action and comedy provide was great entertainment. Otaku Dome gives “Something Zombozo This Way Comes” an 80 out of 100.