The Super Powered Fancast

BOOM! Studios today announced BEN 10™: MECHA MADNESS, the latest middle grade original graphic novel based on Cartoon Network’s global hit series, with Rainbow Award-winning writer CB Lee (Not Your Sidekick) and artist Lidan Chen (Ben 10™: The Truth is Out There) which will debut in stores November 2019. In this blast from the antique past, sprockets and gears go flying when Team Tennyson gets into fisticuffs with the antediluvian villain Steam Smythe.

Ben Tennyson isn’t your average 10-year-old…he’s also the wielder of the Omnitrix, an alien device that allows Ben to shift into ten different alien forms from around the galaxy. Together with his cousin Gwen and Grandpa Max, they protect the world from alien incursions.

In BEN 10™: MECHA MADNESS,  when Ben’s cousin Gwen discovers a mecha-suit left behind in disrepair by the steampunk villain Steam Smythe, she can’t help but fix it back into working condition and test it out. While Ben may not approve, Gwen’s new suit might be their only chance of stopping the relentless Steam Smythe and his army of mecha-creatures from clashing with innocent civilians as they hunt down their lost machine.

CB Lee is a Lambda Literary Award-nominated writer of young adult science fiction and fantasy. Her works include the Sidekick Squad series (Duet Books), Ben 10™ (BOOM! Studios), and All Out (Harper Teen). CB loves to write about queer teens, magic, superheroes, and the power of friendship.  When not nationally touring as an educator, writer and activist, CB lives in Los Angeles, where she can neither confirm nor deny being a superhero.

“I’m so excited to share this super fun story with readers! Giant robots, friendships and steampunk shenanigans abound in MECHA MADNESS!” said writer, CB Lee. “I loved working with BOOM! Studios and Lidan Chen on this adventure and can’t wait to share it with fans of all ages!”

Lidan Chen is an illustrator and comic book artist from China. She has worked for BOOM! Studios as the artist for the original graphic novel Ben 10™: The Truth is Out There. She is an acclaimed artist and merit award winner of the 2018 iJungle Awards, 2017 Red Dot Design Award for Illustration, and the 3×3 Illustration Annual No.14.

“I am excited to illustrate another Ben 10™ graphic novel, especially since both Ben and Gwen Tennyson play very important roles in this story.” said artist, Lidan Chen. “I love all the characters in Ben 10™ so I enjoy drawing them. And while drawing steampunk machines is a challenge for me, in the end, it’s totally a blast!”

This is the third original graphic novel release from the partnership between BOOM! Studios and Cartoon Network, following the recently released BEN 10™: THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE  from CB Lee and Lidan Chen, as well as the upcoming debut of BEN 10™: FOR SCIENCE! from CB Lee and artist Mattia di Meo in July 2019.