If there is one show that has managed to surprise me in the last few years with its sheer awesomeness and balls-out attitude, it’s Spartacus on Starz! The first season was full of 300 slo-mo, breasts, wangs, butts, nips, orgies, slave sexing, mutual masturbation, evisceration, decapitation, and everything else you would imagine if you turned your brain to 11 when thinking about the violent and sexual excesses of ancient Rome. Unfortunately the star of Season 1, Andy Whitfield, was diagnosed with cancer last year and suffered a recurrence after his initial treatment, leading to his withdrawal from the role. Season 2 picks up where the first season ended, with relative newcomer Liam McIntyre taking up the sword as Spartacus and leading the slave army in search of vengeance.

Stretching out Comic Con coverage because we can (and apparently people actually read it), coming to you in what will hopefully be among the very last name-drops of SDCC, is some news from the Spartacus panel. It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the Starz original series which is bursting with blood, breasts, and a word for penis that also starts with B. Perhaps too easily dismissed by many as a 300 styled rip-off or An Idiot’s Guide to Rome, this gladiatorial series is actually quite deft at mixing politics and vicious action. This years panel, the show’s first, was focused mostly on revealing some information about the upcoming prequel Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. For those unfamiliar, star and Spartacus himself Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with cancer after the completion of the first season. Rather than replace him or move forward with a pathetic second season or leave fans waiting forever, the producers, lead by Steven DeKnight, decided to create a prequel to the hit show.