Summary
The final season ofStar Wars: The Bad Batchis nothing short of emotional for its titular clone squad, and this fan art pays tribute to them in an incredible way. This chapter ofClone Force 99’s story had a bittersweet ending inThe Bad Batchseason 3, but getting there was no easy feat. Tech’s tragic death inThe Bad Batchseason 2 finaleleft everyone reeling, though that sacrifice is what eventually bought his family their freedom to have a peaceful life. This fan art honors that in a way that’s even caught the show’s star’s attention.
Created and originally posted bypinkiemmeon Instagram, this fan art celebratingThe Bad Batchseries finale has since been shared byDee Bradley Bakerhimself.This stunning art takes a moment from season 3, episode 5 “The Return,” which originally featured just Hunter, Crosshair, and Batcher, and brings all of Clone Force 99 together again- including Tech and the droid AZI. All six members of Clone Force 99, along with Batcher and AZI, sit together as they look over the snowy mountaintops of Barton IV and watch the sunset.
In his repost of the fan art,Baker praises it as “One of my favorite fan arts of The Bad Batch,“which is a huge compliment given just how much incredible art from the animated series is out there. As the voice of the entirety of Clone Force 99, except for Omega, having Baker’s stamp of approval on this is nothing short of a huge honor. Given the fact Baker shared this recently, it’s also touching to know that these beloved clones are still on his mind, even months after the series has come to an end.
Clone Force 99 Hasn’t Been Together Like This Since the Season 1 Finale
It’s no wonder why this is one of Baker’s own personal favorite pieces of fan art fromThe Bad Batch, seeing as it brings the entire Batch back together again. Because of Crosshair’sinhibitor chipforcing him to pledge his allegiance to theGalactic Empireand Tech’s tragic fate in season 2, the entirety of Clone Force 99 hasn’t been seen together like this since the season 1 finale, when Crosshair chose to stay on Kamino rather than leave with his squad. Getting to see them reunited in a season 3 scene in this fan art is extremely heartwarming.
Though with Tech’s fate, it’s impossible to see them all together like this again,there are still ways that Clone Force 99 can return - even after the closing of this chapter. Omega’s off to join theRebel Alliance, and Hunter gave her his word that he, Wrecker, and Crosshair would be there if she needed anything. Echo’s fate is still unknown, but his dedication to Captain Rex’s cause seems to imply he’s still active in the fight against the Empire. This has created an open avenue for these beloved characters fromThe Bad Batchto return in some capacity.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Cast
Star Wars: The Bad Batch is an action-adventure animated series set after the events of The Clone Wars, following Clone Force 99 (a.k.a. the Bad Batch.) Finding themselves immune to the brainwashing effects of Order 66, the Bad Batch become mercenaries for hire while outrunning the empire, now seeing them as fugitives of the law.
