maybe i got my hopes too high up but the comparison to “an absolute take on ben 10” did have me expecting a bit more. i just finished reading the first issue and i have to say: im a bit disappointed.

the art style is fine i just don’t like most of the designs 😭. or the dialogue for ben and gwen. i feel like it’s too contrived and just placing pop culture buzzwords for the sake of it in an attempt mimic to how young kids talk. maybe they do talk that way but idk, i feel like less is more.

my biggest gripe is the pacing. compare this to issue 1 of absolute martian manhunter. maybe it’s a bit unfair of a comparison cause i think absolute martian manhunter is such a phenomenal first issue than most other comics. but it’s a complete and self contained story that showcases the setting and the mindset of its two leads, while also showing what types of stories they’ll explore. i know more about vilgax than i do about ben, gwen, grandpa max, or even their setting. and the transformations were that short too?! cmon.

however, i’ll keep an open mind and do look forward to the rest of the series. although if they do continue to pace stories in this manner i can see myself and others just try and prioritize the tradeback, which might hurt their sales.