Top 5: Namie Amuro Ballads

Despite being known for her Hip-Pop music and slick dance moves, J-Pop superstar Namie Amuro has proven time after time that she is a capable balladeer. Over the course of her illustrious career, she's had tremendous success with her downtempo tracks.

Earlier this month she released BALLADA, a compilation of her greatest ballads that skyrocketed to number one on the Japanese Oricon Chart, thus proving Amuro's undeniable gift for singing downtempo songs. To celebrate this accomplishment, I've counted down her five greatest ballads.

05. "Baby Don't Cry"

As the final single off of her eighth studio album PLAY, "Baby Don't Cry" is a mid-tempo ballad that typifies Amuro's R&B sound. Though not included on BALLADA, it is a spirited and feel good song that reached number three on the Oricon Charts.

04. "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?"

Released on Christmas day in 1997, "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?" is a sweet pop gem and nostalgic piece of ear candy. It became a phenomenon, selling over 2 million units and went on to become the highest selling single of that year. Nearly 20 years later, Amuro has re-recorded the song for BALLADA and has transformed it into a moving orchestral piece.

03. "Let Me Let You Go"

Sung entirely in English, "Let Me Let You Go" is a heart-wrenching ballad that features some of the strongest vocals in Amuro's extensive career. With its piano arrangement and Amuro's raw vocals, it is incredibly affecting and serves as one of the best moments off of her eleventh studio album FEEL.

02. "SWEET 19 BLUES"

Arguably one of Amuro's most iconic singles, "SWEET 19 BLUES" is an autobiographical ballad that appeared on her sophomore album. It's a poignant downtempo track that features a snapping rhythm and solid vocals. Like "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?," "SWEET 19 BLUES" was re-recorded for BALLADA and Amuro filmed a new music video for it, showing her fans just how far she's come since her now famous 19th birthday.

01. "Love Story"

As far as Namie Amuro's vocals are concerned, they don't get much better than they do on "Love Story." A number three hit, this track appeared on her tenth studio album Uncontrolled and continues to be one of her most heart-rending piano ballads to date. With its beautiful arrangement and honest lyrics, this track proves just how talented this J-Pop icon is without the glitz and glamour of fancy dance productions.

Review: Wonder Woman - Rise of the Olympian

In Wonder Woman: Rise of the Olympian, writer Gail Simone pits the eponymous hero against her toughest foe yet. Created from the soil at the sites of the most horrific genocides in recent history, the aptly-named Genocide is a hideous and monstrous creature whose sole purpose is to destroy everything in its path. Wonder Woman must stop this menace before it kills everything and everyone she loves.

Rise of the Olympian is the definition of a page turner. It stands strong as Simone's magnum opus on Wonder Woman's title and it helped to establish one of the character's most formidable foes to date. The narrative itself revolves around the machinations of the Society, a cabal of villains assembled by the Cheetah, as they unleash Genocide onto the world. At the same time, the Olympian Gods return to Earth after being held captive by the New Gods of the horrific world known as Apokalips. With Athena gravely injured, Zeus makes it his mission to create a new nation of worshippers to usher in a new age of greatness for the Gods. Wonder Woman must not only stop the Society, but she must also face the challenge of disobeying the Gods she was once so loyal to.

Simone ensures that there is a constant unease about the story and creates an unbearable tension throughout this arc. She does so largely by providing Wonder Woman with an unstoppable menace. This places the Genocide on-par with Doomsday, a monster so powerful that it took Superman's last breath to defeat it. Beyond that, the layers of the narrative prove to be quite complex and she reveals many plot twists along the way. What should be applauded about this particular arc is that Simone portrays the Cheetah as someone who is not to be underestimated. For decades, the Cheetah has been treated as little more than a foot soldier and we finally get to see that she's perfectly capable of being the Big Bad Diana needs. What's also great about this particular arc is the wide range of guest stars. We get to see the Justice League, as well as Donna Troy and Wonder Girl. Furthermore, Simone shows that she is not afraid to push Diana to her limits and will pull out all the stops to illustrate just how dedicated she is as Wonder Woman.

As far as Wonder Woman stories go, Rise of the Olympian is one of the best. The art is fantastic, the characters are multi-dimensional, and the twists and turns of the narrative keep the reader on the edge of their seat. For fans of the Amazing Amazon, this is one story that is not to be missed.

Rating: A-

Review: Wonder Woman - Ends of the Earth

For her second major arc on Wonder Woman, auteur Gail Simone took the Amazing Amazon on a sword and sorcery epic in “Ends of the Earth.” With a little help from the talented Aaron Lopresti, Simone delivers a satisfying tale of fantasy and betrayal in this four-part story.

After encountering a mysterious red-eyed man, Wonder Woman is transported to another dimension where she must team up with the ancient heroes Beowulf and Claw to defeat the demon D’Grth. Back on Earth, Agent Tom Tresser investigates Diana’s disappearance and classic Wonder Woman supporting character Etta Candy makes her presence known in the Department of Metahuman Affairs.

As a character rooted in mythology, placing Wonder Woman in the realm of sword and sorcery should appear to be an excellent fit. While it’s true that this gives the character an opportunity to swing her sword around, it’s actually quite jarring after the events of the preceding issues in the series. By removing her from more pressing narratives, Simone is essentially halting the progress of the story. That said, she impressively stays true to Wonder Woman’s essence throughout. This story serves as an exploration of the Amazon’s ideals and it helps her to come to terms with her own morality. The dialogue about souls and Simone’s continued fascination with the golden lasso’s capabilities make this arc an interesting read. It also helps that she has the talented Aaron Lopresti on hand, who depicts Wonder Woman in a variety of fantastical outfits.

Upon the conclusion of this arc, Simone writes a brilliant two-part story titled “Celebrity.” In this adventure, Diana travels to California to work as a consultant on a movie about her life. The hijinks that ensue provide some rather genius criticism on the film industry and the continued joke about the lack of a proper film franchise for Wonder Woman. It’s slightly meta, but it’s still a rip-roaring good time. Bernard Chang delivers some beautiful art as well, which is rich with details and full of expression.

Wonder Woman’s trip to the realm of sword and sorcery was an interesting departure for the character, but was moreso a sneak peek into the future for Gail Simone’s career (now that Simone writes Red Sonja). While not as intriguing as her previous arc, “Ends of the Earth” is a satisfying read and provides Wonder Woman fans with the kind of epic adventure the Amazon so deserves.

Rating: B

Review: Wonder Woman - The Circle

Coming off of her red-hot run on Birds of Prey, fan-favourite Gail Simone landed the coveted spot of writer for Wonder Woman. Such an honour should not have been taken lightly. After all, she had big shoes to fill with incredible stories having previously been told by the legendary George Perez and the acclaimed Greg Rucka. Thankfully, Simone stepped up to the plate and delivered a powerful story for her opening arc.

“The Circle” was a four-part modern epic that dealt with the fall-out of the massively derided “Amazons Attack!” event. The Amazons had been dispersed throughout the world and Themyscira was now seemingly deserted, save for its disgraced Queen as its sole inhabitant. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman had been working for the Department of Metahuman Affairs as Agent Diana Prince and was becoming increasingly more attracted towards her coworker, Agent Tom Tresser.

The unoccupied Themyscira subsequently becomes a desirable hideout for a faction of Neo-Nazis led by the nefarious Captain Nazi. They invade the island only to discover that is it not only inhabited, but its inhabitants are part of a moment in Amazonian history that has long been kept secret. After learning of Captain Nazis plans, Diana must travel to Themyscira and defeat the Nazis before they take over her homeland.

Simone’s opening arc is powerful and clearly illustrates her desire to tell a story that is respectful towards the mythology surrounding the character. She weaves a tapestry around Wonder Woman and the Amazons that reveals an intricate culture for Themyscira. Beyond that, she masterfully builds her arc around the presence of a secret cult of Amazons and this creates an air of unpredictability to the narrative. It was not uncommon for writers to retcon or reinvent Wonder Woman’s history, but Simone did so without damaging the threads of her backstory. The story is captivating and the action that ensues is gratifying. On top of all of this, Simone has the artistic support of the incomparable Terry Dodson. His art is on point and provides a lush backdrop for Simone’s words.

As far as Gail Simone’s Wonder Woman run is concerned, she started things off impressively. Nazis, Amazons, and talking gorillas ultimately add up to make “The Circle” a fascinating read. It’s clear that Simone respects Wonder Woman and has done her research. Fans of the Amazing Amazon should definitely pick up this story, but readers who are less familiar with the character may want to brush up on their history first. Since Simone’s run hinges so heavily on the writers who came before her, her creativity is limited and the reader unfortunately has to be keenly aware of the preceding events in the title.

Rating: B+

Review: American Horror Story - Coven

In 2011, superstar producers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk brought their unique brand of dark humour to the genre of horror with the premiere of American Horror Story. The first season was a smorgasbord for fans of the genre, blending the themes from films like The Amityville Horror and Rosemary’s Baby together to create a distinctly unpredictable narrative. The second season, however, was an awful mess. With a new set of characters and storylines, the plot collapsed under the weight of too many concepts and subplots competing for dominance. By the third season, the producers would have to redeem themselves. With American Horror Story: Coven they did that and then some.

Set in modern day New Orleans, Coven follows the lives of a budding sisterhood of witches who must learn to control their unique gifts in order to combat an approaching evil. However, they must first determine who their next Supreme is (i.e. the most powerful witch of them all). As rivalries threaten to tear the coven apart, the plot thickens and grips the viewer. Interwoven in this narrative is the story of the monstrous slave owner Madame Delphine LaLaurie and her defeat at the hands of the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. 

The writing for this season is tight and sharply witty. Characters like Madison Montgomery and Queenie dish out laugh out loud one-liners, which is no doubt a testament to the incredible scripts. Themes of racism, motherhood, aging, and sisterhood are at the heart of this season. More than ever before, the producers have something to say and it has meaning. Coven is either gorgeously optimistic or brilliantly cynical, but you’d have to watch it to find out.

The star players of previous seasons return for another go at it in Coven. Sarah Paulson plays the timid headmistress Cordelia Foxx, Lily Rabe nails it as the hippy swamp witch Misty Day, Frances Conroy fabs it up as the fierce Myrtle Snow, and Jessica Lange continues her reign of terror as the self-absorbed bitch witch Fiona Goode. Paulson and Rabe are particularly likeable in this season. From the get-go, Rabe’s Misty is incredibly loveable while Paulson’s Cordelia develops brilliantly over the course of the season. Lange, however, is largely an irritant. Her mannerisms from previous seasons return to irk the viewer and her character is impossible to root for. While Lange may be a fantastic actress, she’s easily eclipsed by the sheer star power that surrounds her. Kathy Bates kills it as the love-to-hate Madame LaLaurie and Angela Bassett steals just about every single scene she’s in as the badass Marie Laveau. The young cast is also shockingly strong. Jamie Brewer’s turn as the compassionate Nan is fantastic while Emma Roberts’ mean girl Madison Montgomery elicits both laughs and frustration (in a good way). However, it is Gabourey Sidibe that rises to the occasion and nearly outshines everyone else. Sidibe’s Queenie is a clever witch who is searching for purpose and kinship. Her heart and sense of humour make her extremely likeable, making the viewer root for her all throughout.

American Horror Story: Coven is a girl power fest that features strong women vying it out for supremacy. They must either learn to outwit each other to get to the top or learn to get along to save their kind. The beauty of this season is that the writers turn clichés on their heads and it doesn’t devolve into as much of a melodrama as previous seasons. One thing is for certain you won’t find any weak-willed women in this season. By its conclusion, it left me realizing just how cohesive and layered Coven was. It wasn’t bogged down by subplots, irritating male costars (‘cause those were littered all over the damn place in the first two seasons), or irrelevant concepts. Instead, Coven was a brilliant examination of womanhood and race wrapped up in the glamorous package of witchcraft.

Rating: A

Review: The New Teen Titans Omnibus, Volume 2

After two years on The New Teen Titans, Marv Wolfman and George Perez had a bonafide hit on their hands. With their unique cast of characters and thrilling stories, this dynamic duo faced the challenge of keeping readers engaged and helping their creations to grow. The New Teen Titans Omnibus: Volume 2 collects Wolfman and Perez's third and fourth years on the title. In this magnificent oversized volume, the Teen Titans face off against deadly aliens, betrayal, and growing up.

While the first volume in this series featured stories of varying qualities, this collection is a genuine page turner. In the first arc, the Titans come up against the threat of the sinister Brother Blood. As far as villains go, Blood is terrifying and seemingly unstoppable. Wolfman and Perez carefully tackle the subject of cults and religion with this character, as well as the influence such factions have on the media and youths. However, it is not Brother Blood that stands as the most menacing villain in this collection. That honour goes to Starfire's sister Komand'r. In the most thrilling adventure available in this volume, Komand'r kidnaps her sister and subjects her to the most inhumane tortures imaginable. Dubbing herself Blackfire, Komand'r manipulates her allies and establishes herself as one of the Titans' greatest enemies. All of this leads towards one of the most epic battles ever witnessed in comic books. At the climax of this arc, Starfire and her sister face off in a duel to the death. It is bloody, violent, and solidified Starfire's status as a true survivor.

The narratives that follow Starfire and Blackfire's battle in space lead up to the much-loved "The Judas Contract" storyline. This four-part tale of suspicion and betrayal changed the status quo for the Teen Titans. The Titans had recently invited the young hero known as Terra into their ranks, not knowing that she was a mole planted on the team for Deathstroke. As Wolfman and Perez peeled back the layers of the character, it became evident that Terra was one of the most unfeeling and psychotic figures ever depicted in the pages of a comic book. It was a stroke of genius for the creative team and made The New Teen Titans one of the most groundbreaking comic books of all time. Beyond that, "The Judas Contract" is notable for Dick Grayson becoming Nightwing and Wally West giving up his title of Kid Flash.

The New Teen Titans Omnibus: Volume 2 is a must-have for any comic book fan and is especially necessary for lovers of Starfire. This collection is a non-stop thrill ride with surprising twists and turns. The characters are intricate and complex, which makes them incredibly relatable. Perez's art is gorgeous and expressive, making this not only a great collection of stories but also an artistic masterpiece. Do not pass up on a chance to read these stories, they're influential for a reason.

Rating: A-

Buy your copy on Amazon today.

Top 10: Comic Book Friendships

Whoever said that women can't get along in fiction clearly has never opened up a comic book. Over the years, the big two companies (DC Comics and Marvel, for comic virgins) have written some of the most fascinating and relatable friendships. Some the longest lasting of these partnerships have been between women. Forged in the middle of the battlefield, these heroines have bonded over their shared love of justice and penchant for tights. To celebrate these gal pals, here is a list of the top ten comic book friendships.

10. Batgirl and Supergirl

As one of the earliest female partnerships, Batgirl and Supergirl's friendship dates back to the 1960s when the pair teamed up to bust an all-female organization of thieves. In this Pre-Crisis continuity, Barbara Gordon and Kara Zor-El would band together several times until Kara's death in Crisis on Infinite Earths. Years later, Stephanie Brown fostered a friendship with Supergirl while she was using the Batgirl title, thereby keeping the legacy of girl power alive and well.

09. Marvel Divas

In 2009, Marvel published a four-part mini-series titled Marvel Divas hoping to draw in a larger female audience. This series was a play off of Sex and the City and featured the romantic misadventures of D-list heroines Firestar, Black Cat, Hellcat, and Monica Rambeau. While it failed to garner major critical acclaim, Marvel Divas emphasized the importance of female friendship and demonstrated just how far women will go for each other. The series itself is a must-read for any female readers.

08. Fire and Ice

The late-1980s saw the introduction of what is known as the Justice League International era. Largely spearheaded by J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen, the JLI was a more light-hearted approach to superhero comics. At the centre of these books was the friendship between the heroes. One of the most notable was that of Fire and Ice. As complete opposites, the sassy Fire and the sensitive Ice were the epitome of what it meant to be girlfriends.

07. Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain

Much like Fire and Ice, Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain were polar opposites. The pair met back when Stephanie was Spoiler and Cassandra was Batgirl. These two became fast friends and would see each other through thick and thin. When Cassandra grew weary of being Batgirl, it was Stephanie who took up the mantle and continued her legacy. Truthfully, these two illustrated how teenage girls should treat each other -- with love and respect.

06. Jessica Drew and Carol Danvers

When Carol Danvers was brutally attacked by the mutant Rogue, it was Jessica Drew who saved her after she was tossed off the Golden Gate Bridge. This was the beginning of a friendship that would span decades. The pair have been on the Avengers together as Spider-Woman and Ms. Marvel and Jessica has made appearances in a supporting capacity in both Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel.

05. Starfire and Donna Troy

While the cartoon may have made people think that the gal pals of the Teen Titans are Starfire and Raven, the reality is that it's Starfire and Donna Troy's friendship that has stood the test of time. When Starfire first came to Earth, Donna opened her doors to the alien and helped her adjust to life in New York City. She helped her get a job as a model and used her as her muse for many successful campaigns. Beyond that, Starfire and Donna would hold friendly competitions with one another in order to hone their skills. Their friendship was so strong that Starfire was one of Donna's bridesmaids at her wedding to Terry Long.

04. Huntress and Power Girl

Likely inspired by the partnership between Supergirl and Batgirl, the parallel Earth heroes Power Girl and Huntress became the best of friends in the pages of All-Star Comics. This friendship is one of the earliest examples of a permanent partnership between women in comics and would last until the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths. Over 30 years later, their friendship has been revisited in the pages of Power Girl/Huntress: Worlds' Finest in DC Comics' New 52 line. This title places their friendship at the forefront and makes it one of the only female-centric buddy comics in publication.

03. Storm and Jean Grey

Female empowerment and solidarity has long been a recurring theme with the X-Men. There are many notable female friendships which have occurred over the years, but none is as memorable or as touching as that of Storm and Jean Grey. The pair met for the first time when Storm and other new recruits rescued the original X-Men from the menace of the living island of Krakoa. After these events, Jean helped Ororo to adjust to life in America and this would blossom into a friendship that would outlast Jean's various resurrections.

02. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy

As the only villains on this list, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn prove that even bad girls can get along. Their friendship dates back to Batman: The Animated Series, where they teamed up after the Joker kicked Harley to the curb as his gun moll. Ivy subsequently took her under her wing and the pair became an unstoppable criminal duo. This was later brought over to the comics and their friendship has since become the subject of speculation that the two may be lovers. The important thing to take from these two is the need for love and support between women (even the bad ones).

01. Birds of Prey

When it comes to girlfriends, no comic book has ever done so much for female friendship as Birds of Prey has. The original series centred around the partnership between Oracle and Black Canary, but evolved to include the vigilante Huntress. Birds of Prey focused on the healing powers of friendship and the importance of companionship. Under the careful pen of Chuck Dixon and later Gail Simone, these ladies proved that when sisters do it for themselves they can accomplish a whole lot. This series has managed to be so influential that it has been cited as a gateway comic for many readers and has been the subject of many adaptations. If you haven't read Birds of Prey, I'd say it's about time to start!