Superman smackdown

"Superman: Doomsday" was the nighttime centerpiece for Thursday's program, and it delivered.  Fans of knockdown, drag-out super battles will love the animated video -- the Man of Steel's fight with Doomsday has lots of vicious hits, which pulled groans and gasps from the crowd.  Lex Luthor's evil (James Marsters' attitude) was on display and also registered with the crowd.  In a specific scene, Lex figures out a cure for muscular dystrophy but withholds it to make a profit later, saying, "Oh well.  Jerry's kids will have to wait."

Animation master Bruce Timm was on hand with a panel that did not include voice talent Marsters or Superman himself, Adam Baldwin. Both stars sent along video greetings, with "Buffy's" Spike eliciting the biggest cheers.

Afterward, a bit of the animated "New Frontier," a movie featuring the Justice League, was shown -- though it was clearly in the first stages.  Casting was announced previously, but the crowd still cheered as Kyle MacLachlan (Superman), Jeremy Sisto (Batman), Lucy Lawless (Wonder Woman), David Boreanaz (Green Lantern) and Neil Patrick Harris (The Flash) were introduced.  Lots of cheers all around.

An audience member asked why the Justice League was not involved in "Superman: Doomsday," and Timm, after explaining his reasoning, said that he'd done enough Justice League stuff and, frankly, wanted to explore something else.

"Sorry, don't follow me out to my car."

-- Jevon Phillips