BEIJING, Nov.3 -- After a big-screen debut, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" had a disappointing start on television, but the animated series jumped into hyperdrive in the second half of its first season. Now, the fight is on for season two as George Lucas' creation proves it has staying power.

    The series has drawn inspiration not only from Lucas' past six feature "Star Wars" films, but also from Alfred Hitchcock and Japanese animation. Its artists say the series - partially animated overseas, with key drawings created by Lucas' team outside San Francisco - has grown over time.

    Lucas supervises the production of the series, which targets children but includes enough references back to original "Star Wars" characters and themes to keep adults interested. Episodes generally contain a message, moral, or topic of discussion, with the themes encapsulated for parents in a pre-show "fortune cookie."

    The first season DVD box set of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" hits store shelves Nov. 3. The second season is now playing on the Cartoon Network in the United States.