Cartoon Network Action Pack #43

Billed as a special prequel to the Ben 10: Alien Swarm live-action film, this January 2010 issue of Cartoon Network Action Pack makes its purpose clear right from the cover. Min Sung Ku's artwork puts Ben Tennyson front and center — Omnitrix glowing, fists raised — while his red-jacket-wearing companion astride a motorcycle, a fierce dark-haired fighter, and a redheaded ally flank him against a swarm of small robotic enemies closing in from all sides. It's a lively, crowd-pleasing package that ties directly into the film's story through the "Old Friends" tale inside, with writing by Merrill Hagan and Matthew Lehosit and art by Min S. Ku.