Hey there, Rebelscum fans! This week on the site, we’re exploring one of the new animated series on Disney+, The Bad Batch. Today we’ll be looking at how the animated series came together, but stay tuned throughout the week for more articles, insights, videos, and collector’s guides.


One of the best decisions early on in the development of Dave Filoni’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars was the decision to flesh out the personalities of the seemingly identical clone troopers. Previous stories set during the era hadn’t distinguished them very much; outside of a little but of extra time spent on “Alpha” in the Republic series and Obi-Wan’s brief interactions with Commander Cody in Revenge of the Sith, fans weren’t given much of a reason to invest in the clones beyond their armor.


The incredible voice actor Dee Bradley Baker did an excellent job at developing unique personalities for each of the different clones under the Republic Army, and how they each grow to adopt the traits of their Jedi officers. Rex became one of the most popular Star Wars characters ever. Throughout the series’ run, many of the best extended storylines were those that focused on the clones’ perspectives.


One of the storylines that had been in development for a future season of the series was a four-part arc monikered “The Bad Batch.” The four episodes followed a squad of elite clone commandos who had been developed with advanced capabilities. The squad leader Hunter has advanced combat and tracking skills, Tech has an intensely advanced mind, Wrecker is uncharacteristically strong, and Crosshair is a top-rate sniper.


The Bad Batch troopers join Anakin and Rex on a critical mission, and throughout their adventure they re-encounter the clones’ old ally Echo. Echo had been a fan-favorite clone since his appearance in season one’s “Rookies,” but he had been believed to be dead following a detonation during the mission to break into The Citadel. Echo is semi-revived as a cyborg-like creature, and joins his old allies in tracking down General Trench. He ultimately decides not to re-join his allies in the 501st, and becomes the fifth member of The Bad Batch.


The Bad Batch storyline was in active development towards the end of The Clone Wars’ run, but the series was canceled in 2013, bringing the fifth season to an abrupt conclusion. Several completed storylines were loosely released the next year on Netflix as the sixth season, monikered “The Lost Missions.” Included within them were two storylines that hadn’t made it past the early animation reel stages: the four “Crisis on Utapau” episodes, and the four “Bad Batch” episodes.


When The Clone Wars received its seventh season on Disney+, the Bad Batch arc was officially completed and included within the series run. The episodes were popular, and shortly thereafter the spinoff series The Bad Batch was put in development. After a critically acclaimed first season, The Bad Batch was renewed. Season two is expected to air sometime this year.

What do you think, Rebelscum fans? Did you enjoy The Bad Batch? Are you looking forward to season two? Let us know in the forums, and as always, may the Force be with you!

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