The Cartoon Network unveiled the first footage from its pending series of "Star Wars: Clone Wars" shorts Thursday (July 10) to reporters at the TV Critics Association press tour.

As the title implies, "Clone Wars" will follow the story begun in "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones." Jedis Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker lead clone troopers in a war against separatist forces led by the evil Count Dooku. Other familiar "Star Wars" characters, including Mace Windu, Padme Amidala and Yoda, will also be featured in the cartoons.

The series of 20 shorts is scheduled to premiere at 8 p.m. ET Friday, Nov. 7. The first 10 installments will air at 8 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 21, while the second half of the saga will air in sping 2004. "Samurai Jack" and "Dexter's Laboratory" creator Genndy Tartakovsky is leading the "Clone Wars" team, with cooperation from "Star Wars" creator George Lucas and Lucasfilm.

Mark Lazarus, president of the Turner Entertainment Group, which oversees Cartoon Network, says he received the tape of the first episode Wednesday night. "We're really excited about it," he says. "So, with Mr. Lucas' consent we are previewing it."

The clips TV critics saw contained finished animation but temporary sound and music tracks. They included several impressive battle and flight sequences, and a scene in which Chancellor Palpatine puts Anakin in charge of a clone-trooper regiment, over the objections of Yoda and Obi-Wan. The Imperial March plays over one scene of marching troops, although that may not make it to the final version.

Characters are drawn to resemble the actors who play them in the film, although Tartakovsky's style is evident as well.

"Clone Wars" will continue the story laid out in "Episode II," although it doesn't appear that it will establish plot points for "Episode III" as "The Animatrix" did for the "Matrix" sequels. Lazarus does say that the shorts could lead to "a more longer-form partnership between Cartoon Network and the 'Star Wars' franchise."