Carl Tennyson is Sandra Tennyson's husband and the father of Ben. He is the son of Max and Verdona.
History
Ben 10: Alien Force
Carl first appeared in Grounded, where he and Sandra discover Ben's superhero activities. Apparently unable to handle the thought of their son constantly risking his life, and angered about Ben's constant lying about his activities, they ground him, forbid him from using the Omnitrix, and tell Gwen's parents of her superheroism, resulting in her grounding as well and Kevin being forced to fight the Highbreed alone.
Additionally, Carl was furious when he found out his father had something to do with it. When the mission proves to be too much for Kevin to handle, Ben openly defies his parents and uses the Omnitrix to turn into Humungousaur and, (literally) break out of the house and help Kevin; through this, they realize how important the things Ben is doing really is.
Carl with Sandra
They come to help Ben and Kevin fight, and admitted that they are proud of Ben, allowing him to resume his heroism. During this time, Carl admits that he had known all along about Max's time in the Plumbers and resented him for it, but now realizes that he was protecting them, just as Ben was.
Ben 10: Ultimate Alien
Carl reappeared in Hit 'Em Where They Live. He was ambushed by Charmcaster, Zombozo and Vulkanus. They flattened his car tire, making him unable to escape. They were about to strike when Ben, Gwen and Kevin came along and saved him. He was completely oblivious to what was happening.
Appearances
Ben 10: Alien Force
- Grounded (first appearance)
Ben 10: Ultimate Alien
- Hit 'Em Where They Live (first re-appearance)
- The Ultimate Enemy: Part 2 (flashback; cameo)
Movies
- Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens (first chronological appearance)
Trivia
- According to Derrick J. Wyatt, Carl and Sandra approve of Ben's friendship with Rook.[1]
- Like Frank, Carl knows about his father's secret and his mother's identity as an Anodite.
- Carl has a Plumber bazooka hidden in his attic, his current residence also being his childhood home.
- Unlike Sandra, Carl is softer on Ben, up to the point of letting him live his life. Carl seems to contradict Sandra when it comes to disciplining Ben, being more loose than stern, though like Sandra, he insisted to be called by his name.
- In the novels, Carl's name is misspelled Karl.