The cast and crew of Smallville showed up in San Diego at Comic-Con to talk about the upcoming 27th season of Smallville on The CW. Highlights included a new costume for the will-be Superman, but not the underwear-on-the-outside one we're waiting for. In keeping with the tradition of shiny leather and jackets, Clark's new look is black with a silver logo and a black cape trenchcoat. But it does sport the Superman logo (in silver), so that's progress.

Laura Vandervoort (Supergirl) is out, but Erica Durance (Lois Lane) is in 18 episodes, and we can look for that relationship to start a slow burn. Honestly, though, isn't everything on this show slow by now. Hell, Clark's going to be 40 before he starts flying around regularly.

And yes, they addressed this very fact by saying they had a series finale planned in case this was the last year, but they are prepared to change it if they get picked up for a tenth year. Meanwhile, the new season kicks off Friday, September 29th.

Other tidbits from the panel:

• Lex Luthor isn't dead. Of course, but there's no word on if or when he might return.
• Geoff Johns will be returning to write another episode, this time bringing the Justice Society of America.
• If you're in the Chloe and Clark should hook up camp, you should switch sides now. It's not going to happen.
• Green Arrow will continue to play a major part this year, starting the season in a dark place.
• Villains include Metallo (Brian Austin Green), Toyman and Roulette.
• Lois takes a trip to the future, which messes her up pretty badly when she comes back. Note: this could be important.

In a more bizarre bit, a younger Major Zod will be making an appearance. From his perspective, Krypton hasn't been destroyed yet. Even more intriguing, it may lead to a possible appearance by Jor-El.

I'm impressed they've been able to drag Smallville out this long. Considering the longevity, though, I wish they'd reconsider their vow to never have him fly or put on the costume. They made it when the series premiered. Surely they couldn't have been imagining pushing that off for almost a decade!

I guess the panel worked, because it all sounds pretty damned exciting. Who would have thought that nine years later, not only would Smallville still be on the air, but that things would be progressing nicely toward Superman?