Wow, Hall H! The biggest venue of Comic-Con was filled with Supernatural fans on the final day of the convention. On this year’s panel were Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Mark Sheppard, Jim Beaver, Misha Collins, and executive producers Ben Edlund and Sera Gamble. First, the trailer of the upcoming season:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZExPOL9_cGI[/youtube]

There were some great funny questions and answers during the panel. When asked why they didn’t use more of the amazing arsenal that the guys keep in the trunk of the car, Ben Edlund said that if they use grenade launchers the episodes would end too early. Maybe the ninja stars though…

Misha was asked about being called the Antichrist by a church group – “I don’t know how they figured it out.”  He was a riot when talking about playing “God,” saying he was surprised it took writers so long to write to his strengths.

Jensen and Jared talked about what it was like to work with guest stars. They said it was great, but that they have developed a shorthand with each other – Jensen said “we’ve been watching each others’ backs for six years, performance-wise” – and that they can do a lot with just a look. They laughed and said they could probably do an entire episode made up of just their various looks at each other.

Here are some great clips from the panel, including information about Supernatural: The Animation which just came out on DVD and Blu-Ray this week, voiced by Jared and Jensen themselves:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq1UgoEcZp0&hd=1[/youtube]

Unfortunately, we don’t have the clip of the episode we were shown; I guess we’ll have to wait for it to premiere:

Okay, ready for the spoilers?

That episode from which we saw a clip was directed by Jensen Ackles. It will understandably be a Sam-centric story that includes some flashback scenes. But – and this was one of my favorite geeky things I saw and heard from the entire con – the grown-up version of Sam’s girlfriend from the past is played by Jewel Staite (Kaylee from Firefly) using the false name Amy Pond (Doctor Who‘s current traveling companion). Crossover heaven!

According to Sera, Castiel will be in the first few episodes. She’ll say no more about that character until after those episodes; “ask me again then.” Crowley (Mark Sheppard) will be in season 7 (no big surprises there).

Jo is coming back. So is Sheriff Mills, Death, and a few more.

I am definitely ready for more!

Supernatural will return to The CW on Friday, September 23 at 9/8c.