THE CLONE WARS: A MURDEROUS MYSTERY CLOSED?

In his expansive office on Coruscant, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine puts an end to the matter of the mystery Clone Soldiers turning on their Jedi Masters, in this superb animation image from The Clone Wars Season Six episode four, Orders, whose story perfectly leads into the live-action realms/continuity of Revenge of the Sith, and its still-shocking Order 66 sequence...

THE CLONE WARS: HOSTAGE CRISIS!

War and chaos have come to the Banking Clan world of Scipio, as former senator Rush Clovis finds his life and career in tatters from the manipulations of Count Dooku, and now desperately holds his former lover Padme Amidala hostage against the newly arrived Anakin Skywalker, in this memorable and dramatic scene from the finale of the Season Six episode: Crisis of the Heart.

THE CLONE WARS: THE FALLEN MIGHTY...

Yet again, another of the Republic's potentially great figures fall afoul of power and ambition, used by the evil Count Dooku to bring even more fragility to the galaxy: senator Rush Clovis, seen here on the brink of political ruin and destroyed credibility. Worse, cowardly threatening Padme Amidala's life in front of a very angry Anakin Skywalker. Wrong move, Clovis, in this scene from The Clone Wars Season Six episode, Crisis at the Heart.

THE CLONE WARS: TRUSTED COMMUNICATIONS!

As the Banking Clan financial crisis escalates into a potential conflict affecting the Republic, Padme confers with her friend and leader Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, in a scene on Scipio from the three part story of The Clone Wars: The Lost Missions - An Old Friend.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Jar Jar Binks has always been a friendly Gungan, but things get even friendlier in his relationship with Queen Julia of Bardotta, during the hectic events of The Clone Wars Season Six episode, The Disappeared.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY from STAR WARS AFICIONADO!

THE CLONE WARS: THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS!

It's an horrific and unthinkable taster of bleak and murderous things to come, as Clone Trooper Tup suddenly, and at the time inexplicably, turns on his Jedi leader, Tiplar, in the superb and disturbing opening to THE CLONE WARS Season Six episode, The Unknown.

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'DARK DISCIPLE'

Two of a kind? Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos team-up for STAR WARS: DARK DISCIPLE- an unproduced THE CLONE WARS story now making an impact in novel form.

STAR WARS: DARK DISCIPLE

By Christie Golden

Based on unproduced episodes of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

Foreword by Katie Lucas

Available now from CENTURY PUBLISHING


Reviewed by Scott Weller


Enough is enough.

Truly appalled by the latest murderous act specifically masterminded and wrought by their once friend, Count Dooku in a war against the Separatists that seemingly looks unending, Master Yoda and the Jedi Council take a momentous and far-reachingly dangerous decision to assassinate the corrupted Dark Lord of the Sith and end his reign of terror across the galaxy. But who to send on the mission? Only someone experienced or touched by the nature of evil and the Dark Dide of the Force will surely be accomplished enough to destroy his insidious power. One who knows Dooku, his methods, motivations and potential weaknesses. Someone who has faced him in combat and almost defeated him: his once Sith assassin now exiled bounty hunter Asajj Ventress!

A mission to kill! Asajj Ventress duels her old master, Count Dooku.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend is the old adage for this latest adventure from STAR WARS author Christie Golden, as she adapts eight ground-breaking unmade episodes from the axed way before its time THE CLONE WARS series- Dark Disciple, a tale which would effectively being back popular Expanded Universe hero and Outer Rim-based occasional rogue Jedi, Quinlan Vos, in a striking way far removed from his prior seen devil-may-care efforts with Obi-Wan Kenobi tracking down the fugitive Ziro the Hutt. Very much the maverick, beyond anything seen with Qui-Gon Jinn, and with more than the roguish dare and happy scoundrel Han Solo-ish touch about him, Vos is the perfect choice to recruit the beautiful but deadly Ventress into the Jedi's most daring and ultimately out of character by necessity plan. Undercover as a bounty hunter he soon becomes her sparky rival, her concerned and passionate lover, then her enemy, as the adaptation unfolds efficiently and speedily over its highly readable 336 pages. Developed behind the scenes by writer Katie Lucas- who saw her potential for character growth across the series run, and whom she shared a certain amount of creative kinswoman-ship to, Ventress has come a long way since those early bitter days taunting and fighting the Jedi she once swore to annihilate. Falling from grace with Dooku and abandoned to death, she has had to survive by any means necessary now that her beloved Witch Sisterhood of Dathomir have been annihilated, whilst her more recent, often irregular activities and life as a bounty hunter has seen her in a far more melancholy and reflective mood. But that doesn't mean her instincts and Force potential have dried up- far from it- especially when she recognises what her new friend and lover Vos is up to, and whom she strikes up the perfect, almost empathic partnership with. Over the course of the planned eight episodes split across Season Seven or Eight, it would have been interesting to see how this unique relationship of trust, anxiety and violence would have been realized in the animated episode medium, especially as the story moves into dark betrayal and shocking revelations. On the printed page it certainly works well, and not in the MILLS & BOON tradition when it comes to STAR WARS! Things here will surely not end well!

Early teaser artwork for DARK DISCIPLE showing the new-look Ventress.

Planned as major arc episodes of the series that would also bring specific closure to events and characters introduced way back from Season One, the story also features what would have been memorable appearances from the likes of the always loathsome General Grievous, once more in multi-lightsaber duelling action, and a now approaching the sequels attired Boba Fett and his small bounty hunter posse. Meanwhile, Count Dooku's evil-dom reaches new heights of depravity and viciousness once he is aware of Vos and Ventress's plans against him-his interactions with this unique duo of assassins proving particularly noteworthy during the book's concluding chapters. Thought by many Prequel haters as boring characters within the actual live-action films, our Jedi heroes of the animated series have been given far more thought-provoking and challenging material to explore, with added shades of grey layerings particularly given to Mace Windu (the main initiator of the assassination plan) and Obi-Wan Kenobi, the latter soon worried about the potential of Vos going astray to the Dark Side in Ventress company, as their time grows together in locating Dooku. Later in the book, seeing the influential likes of Yoda and Windu interact with their once enemy in Ventress proves an additional highlight and history-making moment for the STAR WARS saga- destinies crossed in a situation now making our noble warrior monks more vulnerable that ever, of which, despite their best intentions, they are now truly committed to travelling the road to their own self-destruction, soon enough cemented by the vengeance of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader and the manipulations of Darth Sidious.

AFICIONADO RATING. A very creditable adaptation from the well-selected for the task Miss Golden, further developing Ventress and her complex relationship with Vos, whose dark romance is a strong showcase for the author's talents but those of the series original writers (Katle Lucas, Matt Michnovetz and Dave Filoni ). With the success and overall acclaim for this novel endeavour, let's hope that we get more adaptations of unseen episodes of THE CLONE WARS Seasons Sevens and Eight for the future. We deserve them. 4 out of 5.

Get hold of STAR WARS: DARK DISCIPLE here: Star Wars: Dark Disciple: Amazon.co.uk: Katie Lucas, Christie Golden: 9780345511539: Books

Telling the Untold in Dark Disciple | StarWars.com

THE CLONE WARS: THE TRUTH REVEALED!

The truth behind the mystery of the late Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas and the creation of the Clone Army, as well as the identity of Tyranus, is finally, shockingly revealed to Anakin and Obi-Wan in a classic scene from THE CLONE WARS: The Lost Missions episode, The Lost One.

The final thirteen episode batch of the series will receive its exclusive UK digital TV premiere on SKY MOVIES this weekend (22nd August), as part of their epic STAR WARS screening season.

OUT THIS MONTH: 'DARK DISCIPLE'

In war, there's an old saying: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend". Just how true that is will soon be discovered by one-of-a-kind Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos when he's paired up with the lone wolf and former Sith Padawan, Asajj Ventress, in a mission to assassinate the dreaded Count Dooku, as the duo's unproduced eight-episode arc for THE CLONE WARS animated series comes to printed realisation via author Christie Golden: Dark Disciple, out next week in UK hardback from CENTURY PUBLISHING.

Here's the cover blurb:

Based on unproduced episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this new novel features Asajj Ventress, former Sith apprentice turned bounty hunter and one of the great antiheroes in the Star Wars galaxy. 


The only way to bring down the Sith’s most dangerous warrior may be to join forces with the dark side.

In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.
 
But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force’s power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos’s quest.
 
Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don’t compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior’s spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.

Read the first sixty pages here: Dark Disciple%3A Star Wars

Look out for a review on AFICIONADO in the not too distant future.

Get the book here: Star Wars: Dark Disciple: Amazon.co.uk: Katie Lucas, Christie Golden: 9780345511539: Books

THE CLONE WARS: THE HIDDEN ENEMY

On Kamino, Master Shaak Ti confers with alien leader Lama Su on the emerging problem linked to Clone Trooper Tup's unexpected, murderous slaying of a Jedi Knight. Is this a one-off occurence, or a systematic start in the breakdown of the psychological welfare of the Clone Trooper battalions- a situation that could threaten the lives of their war comrades? A scene from THE CLONE WARS: THE LOST MISSIONS episode Conspiracy.

UK fans will finally be able to see this last batch of episodes on SKY from sometime later in the year.

THE CLONE WARS: WAS THAT HAN SOLO?

More well-known faces would have been seen from THE STAR WARS universe in The Untold Clone Wars. Image: LUCASFILM ANIMATION.

The Untold Clone Wars Panel at CELEBRATION ANAHEIM, featuring Dave Filoni and Pablo Hidalgo, now on STARWARS.COM, revealed lots of mouth watering gems that we deeply wished had come to fruition in Seasons Seven and Eight: a variation on the John Wayne western classic The Searchers, involving  the Tusken Raiders, advancing bounty hunter Boba Fett and his new mentor in Cad Bane; the Wookiees and the Bad Batch Clones on Kashyyyk, Dooku battling Boba Fett, Embo and the bounty hunters; Ventress and Vos in the upcoming Dark Disciple novel, and an early idea for a potentially lethal First Contact scenario between the Expanded Universe's popular Yuuzhan Vong and the Jedi. But it would be the return of Ahsoka Tano prior to her official appearances in REBELS that proved the most interesting, seeing her on a speeder bike entering the shady Level 1313 on Coruscant. When her clip was completed, not much was said about who the character was with the goggles watching her misadventure. To me, it looked like a young Han Solo, not yet having garnered his famous chin scar. And don't forget, in an early script draft, he was almost in EPISODE III on Kashyyyk, where he would have been around fourteen years old. The clip was also given some introduction by Dave Filoni, who said that this particular Ahsoka episode had a storyline conceived by George Lucas with a very intentional Indiana Jones-esque vibe to it. Potential hint, there!?

Anyone at LUCASFILM want to confirm this?

▶ The Untold Clone Wars Panel - Star Wars Celebration Anaheim - YouTube

THE CLONE WARS: MEETING THE 'BAD BATCH'!

Cody and his squad encounter the Bad Batch squad. Images: LUCASFILM ANIMATION.

With the prior success of the web released uncompleted story arc reels for the Utapau saga from THE CLONE WARS: The Lost Missions initiative, STARWARS.COM has now released a new four-part set for the Brent Friedman written, Clone Trooper highlighted adventure that is Bad Batch, where a quartet of irregular war-loving, genetically enhanced clones joins forces with Anakin, Rex and Cody to liberate a stolen war algorithm and uncover the mystery of whether the previously MIA clone trooper Echo might still be alive after the fiery conclusion of the Season Three adventures set within The Citadel.

Anakin fights a new type of Battle Droid.

Also featuring the return of notable villains Wat Tambor and the spider-cyborg General Trench, this action-heavy, planet-trotting tale is a must-see, especially for Clone Trooper fans. Let's hope that it gets enough web hits to see-in even more animatic story reels being released for the not too distant future...

Watch the episodes here: The Clone Wars Legacy | StarWars.com

▶ The Untold Clone Wars Panel - Star Wars Celebration Anaheim - YouTube
▶ Bad Batch Star Wars: The Clone Wars Panel - Star Wars Celebration Anaheim - YouTube

'THE CLONE WARS: THE LOST MISSIONS' - COMING TO SKY TV UK

Yoda meets the Force Priestesses, in the upcoming UK screening of THE CLONE WARS: The Lost Missions. Image: LUCASFILM ANIMATION.

Great news for all UK STAR WARS fans, and particularly dedicated UK fans of THE CLONE WARS TV series who have so far not gotten to see the final sixth season- The Lost Missions. SKY MOVIES has purchased the entire back catalogue of movies and TV series, plus the all-new STAR WARS REBELS series, for exclusive screenings later in the year.

Here's the exciting press release:

This summer, Star Wars arrives on Sky Movies, giving Sky Movies customers exclusive broadcast access to all six Star Wars Saga feature films, alongside a wealth of additional features and programming; kicking off with UK TV’s first ever 48 hour Star Wars marathon on May the 4^th.

The collection will see the six feature films - Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi ­­­-  sit alongside the two animated Star Wars series, Star Wars Rebels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as a number of Lucasfilm specials and featurettes.

Sky Movies will celebrate with a 48 hour Star Wars marathon on May the 4^th (also known as international Star Wars Day) and 5^th, where customers will be able to watch them in episodic order, as well as release order on both days.

This marks the first time this Star Wars content will be broadcast all in one place. It offers Star Wars fans an unrivalled opportunity to experience the films via Sky Movies’ comprehensive movie service.  Non Sky customers will also be able to enjoy the Star Wars content through Sky Movies NOW TV.

“I am delighted that we can offer the Star Wars saga to our customers,” comments Ian Lewis, Director Sky Movies. “As a huge fan of the saga, it gives me great personal pleasure to be able to offer my fellow fans a unique Star Wars experience. No-one will do Star Wars like Sky Movies.”

Dayna Donaldson, General Manager, Media Distribution, Disney UK and Ireland adds: “The Star Wars saga is universally loved by fans for its rich storytelling and compelling characters and we’re thrilled that Sky Movies customers will be able to enjoy it in the run up to Star Wars: The Force Awakens theatrical release at the end of the year. This will be without doubt this year’s unmissable TV marathon”. "

We are thrilled to be part of this remarkable opportunity which will give customer access to the original Star Wars," said Gina Brogi, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Pay Television and SVOD, Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution. She added, "May the Force be with you."

Alongside the six Star Wars Saga feature films, Sky Movies has licensed both series of Star Wars Rebels and all six series of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as the feature film. In addition, a selection of special programming including Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy and Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed ­will be available.

International STAR WARS SKY MOVIES trailers: ▶ Sky Cinema Star Wars Italy New! Continuity and Ident 2014 - YouTube

▶ Sky Star Wars HD - The Channel [Teaser/HD] - YouTube

THE CLONE WARS: A MESSAGE FROM UK FANS TO LUCASFILM...

Yoda senses disturbing times for frustrated UK fans of THE CLONE WARS. Image: LUCASFILM ANIMATION.

One year on from its original debut on the US NETFLIX service, STAR WARS AFICIONADO would like to re-remind LUCASFILM and DISNEY, beyond its American territories, that the UK's devoted fanbase are still officially waiting to see these these LOST MISSIONS episodes somewhere beyond the rip-off import prices for its Region Zero American/German releases. This last season of THE CLONE WARS deserves proper availability in the UK market- if not on Blu-ray/DVD then at least via this territory's version of NETFLIX. Why the delay?

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'DARTH MAUL - SON OF DATHOMIR' GRAPHIC NOVEL

Reunited with his Mandalorian comrades, and the unique Dark Saber, Darth Maul is back for bloody revenge in Son of Dathomir. Cover arts: Chris Scalf. Images: DARK HORSE COMICS/TITAN BOOKS.

Note: This contains mild SPOILERS...

His important plotline left precariously unresolved at the end of the fifth and final series of THE CLONE WARS, former Sith warrior turned rogue trouble maker, Darth Maul, was in a bad way after the collapse of his terror rule of Mandalore, his dreams for evil through his conglomeration of the Shadow Collective seemingly shattered with the arrival of his ex-master: Darth Sidious. As the ambitious, action-packed DARTH MAUL: SON OF DATHOMIR, the officially approved continuation of the popular animated series in graphic novel form begins, based on four original scripts which ultimately never made it to our screens, Maul is now a prisoner on the secret, stark Stygeon prison world (recently given reality in the STAR WARS REBELS series), held ready for Sidious's grand and ingenious plan to lure out and trap the only person capable of sabotaging his ultimate design for the conquest of the Republic: the powerful, magick wielding Dathomir Witch-Queen, Mother Talzin, once a former ally but now too dangerous to be left alive. As the scheme is launched, of which Maul is soon helped to escape his grim confinement via his Mandalorian Death Watch cohorts, will Sidious's assassination plan come to successful fruition? Or has Mother Talzin, reunited with her progeny of evil in Maul, already anticipated the Sith's moves against her, preparing to make the ultimate counter-attack?

When Dark Side apprentices meet!

Choc-a-bloc full of all the classic ingredients that made THE CLONE WARS so popular with fans, this adaptation of Matt Michnovetz and Aida Mashaka Croal's tale to comic form proves itself a worthy creative decision from LUCASFILM, in conjunction with TITAN/DARK HORSE. Jeremy Barlow's script conversion is pacy and never outstays its near 100 page welcome, accompanied by all-important stirring, menace-packed artwork from Juan Frigeri and Mauro Vargas that's stunning and rich in detail, atmospherically capturing all the classic characters at their best. I think its true to say that STAR WARS fans love their heroes, but they savour its villains even more, especially when its the unique and diverse range comprised from the Prequel Trilogy. Any chance at seeing them embraced in collusion, fall-out, betrayal and ultimately fighting each other in numerous combinations is always welcome. The all-importrant continuity wrapped around these incidents is also excellent, with the satisfying conclusion (for the time being at least) of numerous arcs, prior teasingly leading up to these cataclysmic events, soon taking place on classic worlds as diverse as Ord Mantell, an asteroid in the Mandalore system, the new swamp planet Zanbar, and, finally, the ancient mystical realm of Dathomir, its moody environs set for the mighty, decisive battle between Sidious (at his merciless best) and the eerie form and power of the striking red-robed Mother Talzin. Factor in the continued treachery of elegantly evil Count Dooku (callously slaying another of the Jedi Order in the process of continuing his master's grand plans), the brutality of cyborg bully General Grievous, and the anger and drive of Maul, the ultimate pawn throughout these power games, and the Dark Side machinations of this unique revenge-driven story are spectacularly complete.

Count Dooku takes on Mother Talzin's Night Brothers!

AFICIONADO RATING: Its a genuine shame that SON OF DATHOMIR never made it's way to realisation via THE LOST MISSIONS, but its exemplary translation to comic book dominion is nonetheless superb, and a worthy final (?) appearance for everyone's favourite black and red tattooed baddie. Here's hoping more of Seasons Six to Eight's aborted work eventually materialises this way. 8 out of 10.

Get hold of the graphic novel here: Star Wars: Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir eBook: Jeremy Barlow, Juan Frigery, Juan Frigeri: Amazon.co.uk: Books

With thanks to TITAN BOOKS UK for their assistance.

THE CLONE WARS: A MESSAGE FROM UK FANS TO LUCASFILM...

Don't look glum, CLONE WARS cast- we'll see you soon in the UK. We hope...

We'd like to remind whoever's at LUCASFILM handling the digital transmission release of THE CLONE WARS: THE LOST MISSIONS beyond American territories, that the UK, and its equally devoted fanbase, are still officially waiting to see these episodes somewhere, somehow...

THE BRAVEST OF JOURNEY'S CONCLUDES. 'THE CLONE WARS: THE LOST MISSIONS' ARRIVE ON US NETFLIX

A whole host of intergalactic goodies await lucky US viewers, as they finally get to see the completed episodes of THE CLONE WARS Season Six- or The Lost Missions, as its now been called, from this month.

▶ Star Wars: The Clone Wars -- The Lost Missions: Trailer - YouTube
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Lost Missions Now on Netflix | StarWars.com

Featuring the much-anticipated vocal return of Liam Neeson as the ethereal Force ghost of Qui-Gon Jinn, an ice planet-set story arc involving Season Two's previously seen senator Rush Clovis, a deadly trip undertaken by Yoda into the heart of the Sith genesis, a look back to the mysteriously elusive Jedi Sifo-Dyas, and, most importantly, a grim foreshadowing of the events of ORDER 66- and even the murky swamp vistas of Dagobah thrown in for good measure, there's something for everyone in this surely stunning conclusion to five previous years of epic and thoroughly absorbing storytelling. Thank you and goodbye to our Prequel era heroes and villains, and a big thank you to Dave Filoni and his team for such a stunning job in bringing STAR WARS to new heights of animated brilliance.

I've said it before, but STAR WARS: REBELS has a helluva lot to live up to after this....

Mystery and danger ahead for Shaak Ti.

THEIR FINAL BOW. 'STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS' FAVOURITES RETURN FOR 'THE LOST MISSIONS'

TheForce.net: In New Interviews, Dave Filoni Discusses The Clone Wars Bonus Content

‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’: Dave Filoni on Ahsoka’s fate, Master Yoda | Hero Complex – movies, comics, pop culture – Los Angeles Times

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Episodes, Videos and Games | StarWars.com

'Clone Wars' director Q&A: Final episodes answer big 'Star Wars' questions | Inside TV | EW.com

Samples of composer Kevin Kilner's work for the series: MUSIC • KEVIN KINER

The Top 10 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Episodes - IGN

THE CLONE WARS: ARACHNOPHOBIA!

The scheming and observant Separatist tactician Commander Trench, a member of the spidery alien race known as the Harch, may have been beaten by youthful Anakin Skywalker's abilities above Christophosis first time out, but he survives for a rematch in an upcoming ORDER 66 related story arc, coming soon to The Lost Missions of THE CLONE WARS.