Tartakovsky's Clone Wars

"Clone Wars"

2003 - 2005

In the years between “Attack of the Clones” release  and the released of “Revenge of the Sith”, Lucasfilm launched a multi-media project called “Clone Wars”. This project was meant to fill in the gaps between the two films through a variety of novels, comics, toys, and videogames. A series of cartoon shorts was also produced called "Clone Wars". Though these shorts were originally meant to serve as little more than commercials for other Clone Wars products, the impact of the series turned out to be much greater than expected. In fact “Clone Wars” is sometimes seen as one of the strongest Star Wars projects ever produced.

An incredible duel between Anakin & Asajj

Not to be confused with the current computer-generated “The Clone Wars”  (Currently airing on cartoon network), the “Clone Wars” cartoon that premiered in 2003 was rendered in 2-D (traditional animation).  The series was produced and directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, who created shows such as “Dexter’s Laboratory” and “Samurai Jack”. Genndy pitched “Clone Wars” as the “Band of Brothers” of Star Wars, which is the exact feeling I got while watching this series.

Kenobi fights Durj, a dangerous bounty hunter

“Clone Wars” Season 1 and 2 were released as 3 – 7 minute shorts that aired on Cartoon Network in the fall of 2003 and the spring of 2004. Each short follows a different Jedi into battle. Episodes focus on Yoda, Obi-wan, Anakin, Mace Windu, Kit Fisto, Ki-Adi-Mundi and Luminara Unduli. Villains focused on in the series include Asajj Ventress, Count Dooku, Durj, and General Grevious.

Kit Fisto on an underwater siege

The series is action packed, with little dialogue. It’s pacing is captivating and gives the feeling of being in a war zone. Characters are stronger here than they are in the prequel films and it is no surprise that the series is held in higher regard than the prequels themselves. 

Windu in a hopeless situation

The first 20 episodes of the series combined only add up to about 70 minutes of material and have been edited into a short film sold as “Clone Wars: Volume One”. It is not a surprise that this series won two Emmy awards for Best Animated Program.

Season 3 of “Clone Wars” was given a slight format change. This time five episodes were produced at 12 – 15 minutes each. Season 3 has more dialogue and the humor is a bit more child-like. However it is still a marvelous show and some scenes even sent chills down my spine.

Anakin at his darkest

Season 3 was released only weeks before Episode III and it goes a long way in preparing audiences for film. The cartoon shows Anakin becoming a Jedi Knight and explains why his golden arm was lost. It introduces the audience to General Grievous and explains why Grievous was coughing throughout “Revenge of the Sith”. It also shows the General kidnapping Palpatine which leads the audience right Episode III. Season 3 has also been edited together into “Clone Wars: Volume Two” and has a running length of about an hour.

Grievous is dangerous and frightening in "Clone Wars"

Overall these cartoon shorts are nothing short of a marvel. Battles are intense and there are violent scenes that could only be pulled off by 2D animation. In fact, it if this were live action it might have an R rating. Grievous slices through clone troopers like butter. Anakin crushes the skulls of trade-federation bosses with the force. This is the peak of traditional animation and it is sad that we may never see anything like it again. 


I think it is safe to say that this is Star Wars at its best and is probably the best Star Wars television series ever produced. This series is clear evidence of what Star Wars can be when taken out of the hands of Lucas and put into the hands of a visionary such as Genndy Tartakovsky. (It's not that Lucas isn’t a genius, it’s that his ability to write and direct a good story disappeared sometime in the early 80s).  I would urge any to take a look at this brilliant series. It is certainly worth the watch and you won’t be disappointed.