If you read our Comic-Con coverage regarding the forthcoming fifth season of Supernatural, you're doubtless already aware that the arrival of the apocalypse is going to net some pretty interesting scenarios as Lucifer makes his post-Biblical return to Earth.

Now, TV Guide has learned from executive producer Eric Kripke himself, that God — himself — will enter the apocalyptic fray at some point late in the season. No word yet on how the Almighty will be represented (animal, vegetable or mineral...human, or otherwise), and Kripke is playing his cards close to the vest about this.

But chalk that up as a very cool development.

But before we even get to that point, expect full-on Armageddon. The effects of which you'll really see manifest in episode four, which thrusts the story five years into the future: it's 2014 and the Croation virus has spread across the world, Sarah Palin is president of the United States, and the cadre of remaining hunters live in the woods, trying to protect the survivors.

"Things start out bad, and get worse," says Kripke. "And the big question is, can Sam and Dean short-circuit the Apocalypse, before the planet is roasted alive?"

As we reported before, Castiel is cut off from heaven, and as his powers start to fade he becomes more and more shackled by his humanity—with humorous, poignant, and sometimes tragic, results.

Ellen, Jo, Rufus, and Chuck will all appear this season...and, if we're very, very lucky, Jeffrey Dean Morgan may reprise his role as papa Winchester, if his schedule will permit.

Moreover, the nature of Titus Welliver's role has been revealed: he'll be playing one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, all of whom now drive muscle cars instead of riding horses. Now how cool is that?


Oh, and if you missed it, don't forget to check out our exclusive Supernatural contest right here.

The series returns on The CW on September 10 at 9/8C with the episode, "Sympathy for the Devil." Episode two is entitled "Good God, Y'All"...while episodes three and four's titles appear to be homages to television; Marlo Thomas and reality TV, respectively—"Free to Be You and Me" and "American Idol."