CLASSIC IMAGE: DEADLY APPRENTICESHIP!

Not my idea of perfect adoptive parents or role models, those very dangerous bounty hunters, the Trandoshan Bossk and lithe but deadly Aurra Sing pose for a "family photo" alongside their new recruit, the revenge fuelled teenage Boba Fett (once more voiced in the series by EPISODE II actor Daniel Logan) in this specially created image by LUCASFILM ANIMATION for the very enjoyable Fett story arc that made up the final three episodes of Season Two in early 2010. Those and three other earlier episodes make up that last batch of tales now available in compilation discs from the ambitious Season Two and it's mostly successful umbrella theme of RISE OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS. This WARNER BROTHERS DVD only release, out next week (22nd), will surely be welcome by completist collectors, but is also aimed primarily at the younger family/audience mark. And a welcome release it is too, with enough imagination, diverse creatures, visual excitement and colour to keep everyone thoroughly entertained during the Summer holidays.

The second part of the Fett arc, R2 COME HOME, made our top five episodes of that season. Check out our mini- review here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO MAGAZINE: "THE CLONE WARS" SEASON TWO. SWA's TOP FIVE EPISODES. NO 3: "R2 COME HOME", as did the excellent GODZILLA-homage THE ZILLO BEAST STRIKES BACK, also included amongst this batch of impressive tales from the STAR WARS universe. Check out that review here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO MAGAZINE: "THE CLONE WARS" SEASON TWO. SWA's TOP FIVE EPISODES. NO 5: "THE ZILLO BEAST STRIKES BACK"

THE CLONE WARS Season Two, Volume Four- out August 22nd in the UK.

And watch out! Those cruel and ruthless baddies will return for more conflict during the upcoming CLONE WARS Season Four, with it's umbrella title of BATTLE LINES!

"THE CLONE WARS" SEASON TWO. SWA's TOP FIVE EPISODES. NO 5: "THE ZILLO BEAST STRIKES BACK"

Watch out Palpatine, the Zillo Beast is coming after you!

With next weeks release in the UK of the DVD and Blu-ray box sets of the complete Season Two of THE CLONE WARS, I thought it would be nice to do a mini-countdown celebration by listing, on a day to day basis, my top five personal favourite episodes of the season, and my top five personal reasons as to why I enjoyed them so much.

First off, it's number five: THE ZILLO BEAST STRIKES BACK!

1. The Zillo Beast. A marvellous design and beautifully realised creation, and its scenes of sympathy, nobility, anger (loved that look it gives Palpy!) and destructive strength are a fine homage to the GODZILLA and KING KONG films of yesteryear. Its a genuinely sad moment when the beast, trying to survive against the adversity its faced with, is finally felled.

2. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Ian Abercombie clearly relishes his voice acting skills as the evil Republic leader determined to mine the natural defensive strengths of the beast for his own personal intent (and another weapon to use against the Jedi-a story avenue perhaps to be explored in a later episode of the series?). Deliciously evil throughout, its a great finale scene where he cruelly and happily orders the cloning of the dead animal.

3. Yoda and Aayla Secura on top of the Zillo Beast! Considering he was a last minute inclusion to the episode its really cool to see old frog face leaping in, out and around the creature. And Aayla's pretty nimble, too!

4. Together Again! Its great to pretty much see all the film series core main cast re-united in one episode- a very rare opportunity indeed, and especially fun when its for a terrific episode (particularly nice to see Artoo and Threepio back as a duo, too!).

5. Coruscant battle damaged. The city planet's centre looks more devastated in this episode than it did from the huge space battle that takes place in the skyline/atmosphere above it in EPISODE III! Who doesn't love a monster on the rampage bit of carnage, especially when its a great showcase for the writers and animators to have a bit of spectacular fun with/for the audience.

THE CLONE WARS Season Two, out on DVD and Blu-ray from WARNER BROTHERS DVD on November 15th.