Dynamite Entertainment’s Ben 10 #4 sends the Tennyson family into a rain-soaked circus ruled by the sinister Zombozo. The fourth issue, written by Steven T. Seagle with art by Robert Carey, raises the horror elements of the reboot while introducing two major alien forms: XLR8 and Stinkfly.
Released on August 5, 2026, the issue marks another step in Dynamite’s darker reimagining of the Cartoon Network franchise. For longtime fans, the appeal is clear: familiar characters and aliens are returning, but the tone is more unsettling, the threats are more dangerous, and Ben is still learning how much responsibility comes with the Omnitrix.
A Vacation Stop Turns Into a Nightmare
The Tennyson family’s summer road trip takes a disturbing turn during a rainy stop in the Northwest. They discover a circus where the atmosphere is anything but festive. The crowds are silent, the clowns are unnerving, and the show’s ringmaster has plans that extend far beyond entertaining visitors.
That ringmaster is Zombozo, one of Ben 10’s most recognizable villains. Dynamite’s version appears designed to fit the new series’ more horror-oriented approach, transforming the character’s circus gimmick into a genuine threat. Rather than presenting the big top as a colorful diversion, the preview frames it as an elaborate trap closing around Ben’s family.
Grandpa Max becomes the immediate target, with Zombozo preparing to make him part of a dangerous death-defying act. That premise gives the issue a strong personal stake while keeping the central conflict tied to Ben’s continuing struggle with the Omnitrix.
Ben’s New Transformations Face Their First Test
Issue #4 features the debut appearances of XLR8 and Stinkfly in this continuity. Their introductions are important not only because they expand Ben’s available arsenal, but also because the series continues to emphasize that possessing the Omnitrix is not the same as mastering it.
Ben must choose the right alien under pressure, a recurring challenge that gives the reboot a useful coming-of-age angle. His transformations are powerful, but they are not yet completely reliable. In a situation involving a dangerous villain, a trapped family member, and a circus full of strange distractions, selecting the wrong form could have serious consequences.
XLR8 offers Ben a speed-based option that can change the rhythm of an action sequence, while Stinkfly brings a very different set of abilities to the story. The issue’s preview suggests that both forms are being used to broaden the visual and tactical range of the comic rather than simply function as new entries on a roster.
A Darker Direction for Dynamite’s Ben 10
The shift toward horror is consistent with the larger direction of Dynamite’s Ben 10 relaunch. Coverage of the opening issue described the series as a darker, grittier reworking of the familiar origin, with heightened stakes and more mature horror elements while still maintaining the recognizable foundations of the original animated property.
That balance is particularly important for a franchise built around transformation, monsters, and childhood adventure. The new series is not abandoning Ben’s youthful perspective, but it is presenting his world as more dangerous than the original formula typically allowed. Zombozo is an effective choice for that approach because the character naturally combines theatricality, comedy, and menace.
Robert Carey’s artwork is also central to the issue’s appeal. The preview imagery leans into looming figures, distorted circus imagery, and an atmosphere of constant unease. That visual language gives the story a sharper identity and helps distinguish this version of Ben 10 from a straightforward adaptation of the television series.
Release Details and Collector Interest
Ben 10 #4 is published by Dynamite Entertainment and carries a standard suggested retail price of $4.99. The issue is listed at 32 pages and is rated Teen. The creative team is Steven T. Seagle as writer and Robert Carey as artist, with Carey also credited on the official Dynamite listing.
Dynamite has also offered a premium mystery blind-bag edition priced at $19.99, adding another point of interest for collectors following the series’ launch. The wider issue rollout includes multiple cover editions, giving fans and collectors several ways to approach an installment that introduces two classic alien forms and a new interpretation of Zombozo.
There is not yet a meaningful critical consensus for the fourth issue itself. Comic Book RoundUp lists the issue without critic or user ratings, although the series as a whole has received positive early aggregate scores. That leaves the response to this horror-focused two-part storyline largely open as readers begin assessing whether the darker direction delivers on its promise.
As the first chapter of a new two-part adventure, Ben 10 #4 appears positioned as a setup issue with a strong hook. Zombozo’s circus gives the reboot a memorable horror setting, while XLR8 and Stinkfly expand Ben’s options at precisely the moment he can least afford to make a mistake. The next issue will determine whether this sinister performance becomes one of the series’ defining early arcs.
Sources
bleedingcool.com
dynamite.com
comicbook.com
comicbookroundup.com
