 This article belongs to the Reboot Continuity
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 For other uses, see Upgrade.
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| “ | Time to Bootleg your way out of there! | ” |
Bootleg is the Antitrix's cross-contaminated DNA sample of a Galvanic Mechamorph[note 1] and Kevin's equivalent to Upgrade.
Appearance
Similar to Upgrade, Bootleg takes the appearance of a black humanoid made of liquid metal. However, he has blue geometric stripes visible on his body. His blue shoulders have two orbs, and his back sports two spiked spheres. The red dot on the front of his head is his eye. When he becomes smaller, he has less circuitry on his body and a second red dot in place of the Antitrix.
The Antitrix symbol is located on his chest.
Powers and Abilities
Being part-Galvanic Mechamorph, Bootleg shares many of the same abilities as Upgrade, such as technological possession, elasticity, and enhanced flexibility. Due to the alterations Kevin made to the Antitrix, Bootleg is most likely much more powerful than Upgrade, the former having new abilities the latter doesn't have.
Bootleg can merge with technology that is already merged with another Mechamorph, such as when he merged with the Rustbuggy while Glitch was already merged to it.[2]
If Bootleg's body is damaged or taken over, he can become a smaller form, ditching the rest of his body. The body can then continue performing its own actions independently, even after Bootleg has timed out, and can also be merged back into himself.[2]
Due to being made of living metal, Bootleg is able to regenerate himself.
Bootleg can transform a planet's terrain to his own liking, allowing him to manipulate the rocks for offensive combat, as demonstrated by AntiVilgax.[3]
Weaknesses
Being part-Galvanic Mechamorph, Bootleg shares many of the same weaknesses as Upgrade. For example, he is vulnerable to the electrical attacks of a Fulmini.[2]
Bootleg can still sustain damage from attacks on whatever object or technology he is merged with, as seen when Rath attacked Vin Ethanol's car whilst he was merged with it.[4]
Due to Kevin's alterations to the Antitrix, Bootleg is too powerful for the inexperienced Kevin to currently utilize to the fullest. For example, Bootleg accidentally gave Xingo a power-up by mistake whilst being merged with a TV.[1]
History
- Bootleg first appeared in Franken-Fight, where he upgraded the Rustbuggy before being defeated by Shock Rock, resulting in the Rustbuggy turning into a monster. He later teamed up with Shock Rock to revert the Rustbuggy back to normal.
- In Xingo Nation, Bootleg both freed Xingo and gave him a power-up.
- In Vin Diagram, Bootleg competed in a race with Vin Ethanol, whilst threatening the lives of the other racers in his battle with Heatblast and Glitch, before switching into Bashmouth.
- In Adrenaland Jr., Bootleg tried to upgrade the park but was stopped by Shock Rock and Heatblast.
- In The Greatest Lake, Bootleg teamed up with Omni-Kix Cannonbolt to defeat Hex and his water monster.
- In Tales from the Omnitrix, Bootleg appeared in Max's story, where he battled Jetray in space.
- In Ben 10 Versus the Universe: The Movie, Bootleg battled Vilgax before the latter removed the Antitrix from him.
Appearances
Ben 10
Season 3
- Franken-Fight (first appearance; x2)
- Xingo Nation
- Vin Diagram
- Adrenaland Jr.
Season 4
- The Greatest Lake
- Tales from the Omnitrix (imaginary)
Movies
Online Games
Ben 10
Games
Online Games
Bootleg in Super Hero Time
Super Hero Time
Bootleg is a playable alien in the game.
Naming and Translations
| Language | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| German | Bootleg | From the original English name |
| Italian | Pirata | From pirata, pirated |
| Polish | Podróbka | From podróbka, fake |
| Portuguese (Br) | Vírus | From vírus, virus |
| Russian | Бутлег | From the original English name |
| Spanish (HA) | Prueba | From prueba, proof, or test |
| Turkish | çizme Bacak | from bootleg |
Etymology
Bootleg is a word describing an illegal recreation of a certain object and also a type of illegal download such as pirated music or pirated music videos. This is a reference to how Bootleg, as well as the other Antitrix aliens and the Antitrix itself, are copies of the Omnitrix and its aliens.
Trivia
- Bootleg speaks with a voice that is essentially Kevin's voice through a speaker, similar to Upgrade's appearance in Framed.
- When Vilgax removes the Antitrix from Bootleg, forcing the latter back into human form, the animation is similar to how Vilgax removed Gax from the Omnitrix in Omni-Tricked: Part 3.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Duncan Rouleau initially stated all transformations in the Antitrix were "cross-contaminated" with other species.[DR 1][DR 2] However, the crew was just told that they are just "special messed up Kevin versions (or "Kevin-ified" versions) of [Ben's] aliens."[KT 1][KT 2] The merchandise also used similar language, such as "Kev-ified" to describe Antitrix transformations.[Playmates 1] Kelly Turnbull interpreted Duncan's statements as meaning "they're all getting little bits of DNA sloshed together, not necessarily two aliens spliced directly together."[KT 2]
References
Crew Statements
Duncan Rouleau
Kelly Turnbull
Merchandise
Playmates Toys
| Antitrix Transformations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Regular Transformations | Bashmouth • Bootleg • Crystalfist • Dark Matter • Hot Shot • Humungoraptor • Quad Smack • Rush • Skunkmoth • Thornblade • Undertow • Wreckingbolt | |
| Combinations | Alien V • AntiVilgax • Monster Kevin (Which Watch) • Monster Kevin (Tales from the Omnitrix) | |
| Non-Canon | ||
| Battle Builder | Ben Tennyson | |