And now it begins.

Anticipated by comic book fans since it was first teased in 2007 within the pages of Green Lantern, Blackest Night kicks off this month with the release of Blackest Night #1 by writer Geoff Johns and artist Ivan Reis.

The eight-issue mini-series promises to bring back a slew of dead DC heroes, reviving them as zombie-like Black Lanterns as part of an epic battle between the power rings of the Green Lantern universe.

As we follow up on our last conversation with Johns about Blackest Night , we get more details about what just happened in the last issue of Green Lantern and find out more about what’s coming in Blackest Night .

Ian Sattler, Senior Story Editor hosted Friday’s DC Universe panel, welcoming fans to the first DC panel of the Heroes Con 2009 weekend. Panelists included Jamal Igle, artist of Supergirl, Dustin Nguyen, artist on Streets of Gotham, and Editor Brian Cunningham.

Sattler began the panel by asking the panelists about their respective projects, beginning with Nguyen. The artist said that there is a difference between drawing Dick Grayson in the suit rather than Bruce Wayne, which is something that he reflects in the fighting style of the new Batman.

What’s in store for DC Comics for September 2009.

Green Lantern fans listen up – DC is going to be offering a very limited item this July at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con. For the first time, fans will be able to collect Hal Jordan not only as a Green Lantern, but as a member of the Red, Orange, Blue and Yellow Corps as well. Interested? We thought you might be. Read on for the details, including which colors will be available on which days.

The most important details are these: you can only get these items during the San Diego Comic-Con and supplies are extremely limited. Fans will be able to line up at the Graphitti Designs booth (#2315) for these rare collectibles starting on Wednesday, July 22. But here’s the catch – you’ll have to visit the booth each and every day for the latest color. Each customer can only buy 2 of each figure.

Here’s the breakdown of availability:

Wednesday (Preview Night) – July 22 – 6:00 pm Hal Jordan: Green Lantern – 3,000 pieces available

Thursday, July 23 – 10:00 am
Hal Jordan: Yellow Lantern – 1,500 pieces available

Friday, July 24 – 10:00 am
Hal Jordan: Blue Lantern – 1,500 pieces available

Saturday, July 25 – 10:00 am
Hal Jordan: Orange Lantern – 1,500 pieces available

Sunday, July 26 – 10:00 am
Hal Jordan: Red Lantern – 1,500 pieces available

Each figure comes with its own lantern and a wearable power ring customized to each Corps. Each figure is available starting its respective day, and will continue to be on sale until it is sold out. As of press time, pricing information was unavailable. Each figure comes in its own four-color box. Be sure to check out the photos in this article for a better glimpse of each Hal Jordan figure.