Robert Downey Jr.’s Marvel Return Steals the Spotlight

Another Comic-Con is in the books.

This one was my 13th since first coming in 2008, when I attended a panel for a new upcoming movie called “Twilight” and learned that Edward and Bella already had some serious fans. When Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart hit the stage, you would have thought it was the second coming of Beatlemania.

The event has just grown bigger and better ever since, with more and more movies, TV shows, and A-listers showing up and touting the best stuff coming pop culture’s way. Sure, there are long lines and occasional gridlock, but you eventually get to the right place.

Here are my favorite things from this year’s Con:

After nearly 50 years on this planet, I don’t really get that surprised by much anymore. But I was pleasantly shocked Saturday during the big Marvel Studios presentation. Robert Downey Jr. made a dramatic entrance wearing a Doctor Doom mask. Downey announced as Victor Von Doom in a couple of “Avengers” movies was a highlight. Additionally, seeing Harrison Ford turn into a Red Hulk in a “Captain America: Brave New World” trailer was thrilling. Bad guys taking on worse guys for the government in “Thunderbolts” and getting a glimpse of Galactus in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” were other highlights. Let’s not forget the cool drone show with Deadpool and Wolverine on Thursday night.

We at Watch Party Central have been fans of Jensen Ackles since his days on “Supernatural.” Dean Winchester remains a fave screen hero. Ackles had a meaty guest-starring turn as Soldier Boy in Season 3 of “The Boys,” and he’s coming back as a series regular for the fifth and final season. He will also star in the 1950s-set spinoff “Vought Rising.” More Ackles on TV is a good thing.

I was a latecomer to the fandom of “Doctor Who,” with Christopher Eccleston as my first Doctor in 2005. David Tennant came after, becoming my personal fave, though I haven’t really dug a Doctor since. But the new guy, “Sex Education” breakout Ncuti Gatwa, has me back in the Who-niverse. The upcoming Christmas special looks nifty, and it was cool hearing him talk about being a Doctor who cries a lot.

Peter Cullen will always be Optimus Prime – his voice was a huge part of my childhood. So Chris Hemsworth paying homage to Cullen while taking on the heroic Autobot leader as a youngster in the upcoming animated origin story “Transformers One” means a lot. The movie looks really good, too: The only awesome “Transformers” movie has been the 1986 cartoon jam, and this looks to be similarly inspired.

Even more Comic-Con goodness to check out!

Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, or compliments? Share them with me.