Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame Storyline Shares Many Similarities with Ben 10

Marvel's Avengers: Endgame Storyline Shares Many Similarities with Ben 10

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  • From Thanos Snapping His Fingers to Setting Off a Bomb
  • The Third Episode Name Drops the Avengers (Almost)
  • Time Travel Is a Genre All by Itself

As a long-time fan of both the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Ben 10, I have to say that the recent discoveries linking these two seemingly unrelated franchises have left me utterly astounded! Growing up, I never thought I’d see the day when Ben’s intergalactic adventures would intertwine with the Avengers’ time-travel shenanigans.


Let’s imagine a scenario instead. Instead of Thanos, our antagonist is an intergalactic alien warlord named Vilgax who shares a similar appearance. Rather than eliminating Earth’s superheroes with a snap of his fingers, he uses a biomechanical explosive device that does the same job with a trail of destruction. As for the storyline, instead of Marvel’s team of heroes traveling through time to get the Infinity Stones, we have a character known as No Watch Ben and Professor Paradox embarking on similar time-travel adventures. However, they are gathering various heroes from different universes to take down our villain.

If you haven’t realized it yet, the original series on Cartoon Network titled Ben 10: Omniverse might have used a similar plot device as Avengers: Endgame, but five years prior. But before we delve into this striking resemblance, let’s clarify something first. Time travel tales with such a hook are quite common in cinema. However, the animated series by Cartoon Network seems to push these similarities a step further, offering some mind-bending visuals and sequences that challenge the boundaries of reality. The comparisons might even send a shiver down your spine, to put it mildly.

From Thanos Snapping His Fingers to Setting Off a Bomb

Marvel's Avengers: Endgame Storyline Shares Many Similarities with Ben 10Marvel's Avengers: Endgame Storyline Shares Many Similarities with Ben 10

Initially airing in September 2012, Ben 10: Omniverse represented the fourth series within the broader Ben 10 universe. This series centers around a 16-year-old character who can transform into different aliens by utilizing the power of the Omnitrix gadget, which is attached to his wrist. Remarkably, this particular version not only reintroduces some classic adversaries but also unveils an entire alien city hidden beneath Ben Tennyson’s hometown.

One fascinating point about Omniverse is its unique structure, as this installment is broken down into eight arcs, each containing ten episodes. Unlike the typical season format, this storytelling method is reminiscent of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most captivating plotline so far, which unfolds primarily through the first two episodes of “The Evil Rooters” (the sixth arc). These episodes are titled “And Then There Were None” and “And Then There Was Ben.

In an intense battle, one of Ben’s deadliest foes, Vilgax, uses a time bomb created by a Chronosapien to eliminate everyone wearing an Omnitrix. A heart-wrenching scene unfolds where all but one of the Ben 10 heroes seemingly turn into nothingness, reminiscent of how many Marvel heroes vanished at the end of Infinity War. However, in a twist similar to Ant-Man’s accidental shrinking incident, Ben and Professor Paradox, who possesses abilities comparable to Doctor Strange in terms of traveling through portals, find themselves in a temporal rift. Now powerless, they hastily concoct a strategy to counter Vilgax’s attack.

They not only journey back six years to ensure Prime Ben locates the Omnitrix but also explore various dimensions to amass different versions of Ben for their battle – a tactic strikingly reminiscent of how the remaining Avengers traveled through time to obtain the Infinity Stones. However, if you believe that these actions are their only commonalities, you would be greatly underestimating their similarities.

The Third Episode Name Drops the Avengers (Almost)

Marvel's Avengers: Endgame Storyline Shares Many Similarities with Ben 10Marvel's Avengers: Endgame Storyline Shares Many Similarities with Ben 10Marvel's Avengers: Endgame Storyline Shares Many Similarities with Ben 10Marvel's Avengers: Endgame Storyline Shares Many Similarities with Ben 10

In those same two episodes where everything else unfolds, there’s also a cameo of Yggdrasil, the legendary tree representing time (similar to its portrayal in Loki). Although it fits well within the Disney+ series given Loki’s historical roots, the appearance of this tree seems slightly out of place amidst all the other references to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Moreover, towards the finale (after Vilgax is vanquished), Ben’s uncle emerges accompanied by the broader intergalactic Plumber association, essentially space police officers. They all don identical red, black, and white advanced uniforms that vaguely resemble those worn by the Avengers during time-travel missions. Though we could delve into the background of this interstellar law enforcement agency, the matching armor serves as another clue suggesting a link between these two franchises. However, the most striking similarity is still to be revealed.

From what we’ve seen so far, it’s plausible to think that the Marvel Studios writers were accidentally inspired by events from Ben 10: Omniverse. Given the timeline, this isn’t entirely implausible. After all, repetitive storylines are common in both the superhero world and beyond. However, things get intriguing when we look at the title of the third episode: “The Vengers.” This episode features a group of villains attempting to take over Ben’s hometown, Bellwood, while posing as heroes. Interestingly enough, this storyline bears a striking resemblance to plotlines in the MCU that came out years later. Moreover, the play on words with “The Avengers” in the title is quite noticeable. Could it be possible that there’s some form of real-life time travel at play here? It seems too coincidental to be a mere coincidence, doesn’t it?

Time Travel Is a Genre All by Itself

Regardless of what we might conclude, it’s indisputable that tales about time travel will forever be cherished in the realm of science fiction and fantasy. Without a doubt, discussing Endgame necessitates referencing the films it draws upon, including Star Trek: The Voyage Home and Back to the Future. These movies masterfully emphasize how the past significantly impacts the present (and future). Additionally, we can’t forget Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, which cleverly manipulates time’s pace across distinct space realms.

The success of Avengers: Endgame can be attributed to more than just drawing on all its preceding films (and perhaps Ben 10). It also advanced the superhero genre by offering an unforgettable cinematic experience. If you’re eager to witness this for yourself or re-live the conclusion of the Infinity Saga, you can stream Avengers: Endgame on Disney+. As for Ben 10: Omniverse, your best options are YouTube, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video.

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2024-09-14 21:01