It was the usual mayhem at the 'Spartacus' panel at Comic-Con. Fans saw the first footage of Liam McIntyre in the title role, and they certainly seemed to like it.

In one of the few serious moments, McIntyre said he'd spoken to previous star Andy Whitfield, who had to leave the project due to health reasons, and that having Whitfield's blessing "meant a lot to him." (Executive producer Steven DeKnight said Whitfield is doing "very well" with his treatment.)

Otherwise Lucy Lawless talked about the almost-unhinged Lucretia we will see in Season 2 and about Lucretia's very twisted relationship with Ilythia (Viva Bianca). Then Lawless demonstrated her almost unrivaled ability to make almost anything she says sound a little bit naughty. (A fan asked about "filling the void" now that John Hannah's character, Batiatus, is gone. You can imagine where that line of questioning went.)

The only time the cast was tongue-tied was when a fan asked if they were used to seeing each other naked. There was lots of embarrassed giggling, but I gathered that yes, they were used to it.

Creator Steven DeKnight said he'd use the historical record to depict the adventures of the escaped slaves, but he added that the gaps in the historical record give him a lot of leeway. "You could drive a truck through that leeway," McIntyre said. "I will fill that truck with sex and violence," DeKnight replied.

The general plan for Season 2 is to "kill a lot of people." Works for me. As for McIntyre, the high point of the panel was when he led the room in chanting "I am Spartacus!" As introductions go, it wasn't bad at all.

Here, our interviews with the cast, who dish all about drama, fan support and what to expect in the new season.





Also, check out the Spartacus: Vengeance' Comic-Con teaser here: