COMIC-CON: SMALLVILLE PANEL

By Ernie Estrella

SAN DIEGO -- Smallville has been represented at every Comic-Con International since its first season, but series star -- and now co-executive producer -- Tom Welling made his first appearance on Sunday.

Welling's appearance and the announcement of a Geoff Johns-written episode featuring the Justice Society of America highlighted the panel.

Former show staffer Jeph Loeb moderated the panel, which also featured cast members Allison Mack, Erica Durance, Justin Hartley, Cassidy Freeman and Callum Blue and executive producers Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders.

Panel highlghts included:

* A trailer was shown for Season 9, which premieres on Sept. 25 as the show is moving to Friday nights at 8 p.m.

* Welling on his new behind-the-scenes role: "I enjoy the production side very much. The last few year, my interest in what happens before we get to set has increased and this year I get to take a larger part in that.

* "I love being in control," Mack said on Chloe's role as Watchtower.

* Blue said he "loves playing the evil character" as Zod.

* Souders said that the producers are "gunning for a Season 10."

* Durance has been signed on for 18 episodes this season. "You will be seeing more of Erica this season," Souders said, "and we're very happy."

* Lex Luthor is not dead.

* Welling will direct two episodes and Mack will direct one. Welling describes doing both chores like "two hands feeding the one mouth."

* Johns' episode will likely be called "Society." "Everything i've heard about the new season, it's going to kick-ass," Johns said.

* Loeb said he would like to write an episode if he can work it out.

* Welling, who was greeted with a standing ovation, made the panel's most memorable moment by answering the following question from a fan. "What's the most interesting or exciting thing that's happend on set, and could you make it long so that you can keep looking at me?"

He answered back, "I would say [long pause], the thing is [long pause] over the last nine seasons [long pause] for me, what I really enjoy [long pause] are the visual effects and physical work we do; and the directing."

* Souders said Season 9 had two potential endings, one if the show was ending. The writers are taking a similar approach this season, but are hoping the show continues. "There's always more story, that's the beauty of it," she said.

"We already have two more seasons worth of story to tell," Peterson said.

* Peterson said John Corbett, aka Metallo, will appear in the first two episodes (played by Brian Austin Green). Toyman will return, and Roulette will appear.

* Hartley said there will be more Green Arrow this season. He said that, atlhough it appeared Green Arrow solved his pesonal issues last season, that's not the case.

"He's really, really struggling and that's going to go on for a while," he said.

* Mack on playing Chloe: "I've playing the character for so long, it's really a case of putting the words in my mouth, and she's there."

* Jimmy is dead -- and will stay so. "Aaron Ashmore was one of the greatest actors to work with -- and we love him," Souders said.

* Clark goes one step further to his Superman look by wearing a black shirt with the "S" shield on his chest and a black overcoat. "It's a bumpy road and he's not going to go straight to a tailor. It's going to take some time," Souders said.

* Welling said he hopes to increase communication between production and on-set activities in his new executive role.

* Any chance of romance between Clark and Chloe? "I'm thinking might be a little bit dead and the water," Mack said. "He's pretty occupied by a few other women in his life. For Chloe, you're gong to see her going through a lot of hearling with the loss of Jimmy to her last season and stepping into a more powerful position. I'm not sure she's going to have time for a love interest for the first little while."

* Peterson said Metropolis is "a rumor at this point."

* Peterson said as Clark is falling for Lois, Lois is falling for the Blur.

* Peterson said a sidekick story for Green Arrow is being explored.

* Souders said Clark and Chloe have "a little bit of a rocky start" in Season 9.

* Peterson said "we are working" on more Justice League episodes.