Collectors patiently waiting for the new Star Wars: Clone Wars collectible card set, due out in mid-April 2004 from Topps, can now get the first look at Artist Sketch Cards, as well as information about an Episode III Sneak Peek card of "the new bad guy," General Grievous. Here are Sketch Card samples as well as information about an Episode III Sneak Peek card of "the new bad guy," General Grievous.

Focusing on the Star Wars: Clone Wars animated micro-series, as well as select Clone Wars-related art from Dark Horse and other sources, one of the more collectible aspects of the card set are the unique Artist Sketch Cards showcasing Clone Wars characters drawn by some of the most well-known comic book artists from Dark Horse, as well as the creators behind the Cartoon Network micro-series Star Wars: Clone Wars, Genndy Tartakovsky and Paul Rudish.

Here's a first look at some of the Artist Sketch Cards drawn by Paul Rudish and Rafael Kayanan for the Topps series.

"Each artist draws directly on to blank cards so that each sketch is a brand new, original, unique, one-of-a-kind, uber-fantastic piece of art," explains Matt Saunders, Topps Editor-Entertainment Cards/Licensing.

"The images here represent a sample of the artists' amazing sketches," Saunders continues. "There are many, many more images and additional characters that they've drawn on the cards."

Other artists involved in the Artist Sketch Cards project include: Genndy Tartakovsky (Cartoon Network Star Wars: Clone Wars), Davidé Fabbri (Star Wars: Jedi Council - Acts of War), Doug Wheatley (Star Wars: Empire), Kilian Plunkett (Star Wars: Droids - Rebellion), Rodolfo Migliari (Star Wars: Infinities - Return of the Jedi), Tomás Giorello (Star Wars: Republic), John McCrea (Star Wars Tales #12), Joe Corroney (Star Wars Insider: HoloNet News), Pop Mhan (Star Wars: Jedi Quest), Robert Teranishi (Star Wars: Union), Rafael Kayanan (Dark Horse: Star Wars: Chewbacca), and Dave Dorman (Dark Horse Classics - Star Wars: Dark Empire).

Fans hungry for a glimpse of new characters from Episode III will be eager to note that the Topps Clone Wars card set will also include an Episode III Sneak Peek card featuring the highly anticipated character General Grievous.

Find more information on the Topps Clone Wars card set on the official site here.