"The Clone Wars" comes out this Nov. 11

Next weeks DVD releases brings us a comic book sequel superior to the original, an animated martial arts master and the return of the jedi’s.

Ron Perlman returns as everyone’s favorite big red guy in “HellBoy 2: The Golden Army” (Universal Studios, $22.99 SRP, PG-13), a fantastic follow-up to the 2004 hit based on a Dark Horse Comics series. This film follows Big Red and his team of paranormal investigators as they take on a royal elf who is determined to smash a centuries-long truce between monsters and mankind. Filled with some eye-dazzling special effects and elaborate action pieces, “HellBoy 2” is a fun, witty, and sometimes scary film that will delight fans. Selma Blair and Doug Jones co-star. The standard DVD comes with feature commentary by director Guillermo del Toro and cast members, as well as seven mini documentaries that provide viewers with unlimited access to the set. A special 3-disc set includes many other special features, too many to list here, but plenty enough to satiate the fanboy in any of us.

Funnyman Jack Black lends his voice talents to “Kung Fu Panda” (Dreamworks Animated, $17.99 SRP, PG), a fun family film that was a hit this past summer in theaters. Clumsy, overweight Po (voiced by Black) dreams of becoming a kung fu master like China’s revered “Furious Five,” but instead seems destined to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in the restaurant business. Po begins training in the martial arts alongside Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogan), Crane (David Cross) and Viper (Lucy Liu), only to discover that he isn’t quite the Kung Fu expert he dreams to be. A film rich with hilarious moments, superior animation and an important message about believing in oneself and the power that comes from within, “Kung Fu Panda” is great entertainment that will have the whole family laughing and begging for more. Special features include a making of segment, a gag reel, and interviews.

Why, George Lucus, WHY? This was the collective sound cried by many upon the release of “The Clone Wars” (Warner Home Video, $19.99 SRP, PG), the latest attempt by the creator of the beloved “Star Wars” series to pocket your dough. It’s laughable at best. The plot is incomprehensible, and the voice work is subpar, but hey, at least it looks good, right? Maybe I’m wrong…maybe I just don’t “get it” anymore, but if this is where “Star Wars” is headed I think I’ll get off here. The DVD comes with several special features including a “How’d they do that” peek at the making of the movie, a look inside the voice-work recording, and commentary by the director.

My cult pick of the week is Takashi Miike’s “Sukiyaki Western Django” (First Look Pictures, $19.99 SRP, Unrated), an ultra-violent eastern take on the classic western “Django.” In a poor mountain town, two gangs have been feuding for years. When a mysterious lone gunman with an incredibly fast trigger finger rolls into town, everyone wonders which gang he will join. As betrayal, deception, and cold-blooded murder become commonplace, the silence of this once-quiet mountain town will be broken by the piercing echo of gunfire and the air will become dense with the smell of death. Fans of Miike’s previous work should be happy, as he delivers what the fans have come to expect from him, and the movie includes a strange acting performance from none other than cult director Quentin Tarantino.

Other notable releases next week include Toby Keith and funnyman Rodney Carrington in “Beer For My Horses” (Lionsgate, $22.98 SRP, PG-13) and the long awaited “The Sopranos: The Complete Series” (HBO Home Video, $279.00 SRP, Unrated).