Top 5: Best Kylie Minogue Albums

For over 25 years, Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue has captivated listeners with her infectious music and bubbly stage persona. This chameleon has played with as many genres as she has clothes. From her signature synth pop sound to more experimental Indie tracks, Kylie naturally has a very robust and diverse discography. To celebrate the release of her twelfth studio album, here are her top five greatest albums (so far!).

05. Let’s Get To It (1991)

Kylie began her music career in the late-‘80s as a teen pop star. Her sound was light and fluffy, but it quickly evolved as she matured into adulthood. Her 1991 release Let’s Get To It is a collection of R&B-tinged songs that showcase her budding sexuality and willingness to experiment. While it may not have garnered as many hits as her previous albums, Let’s Get To It is her most cohesive record from her PWL era.

Recommended Listening: “Word Is Out,” “Too Much of a Good Thing,” “Finer Feelings,” “Let’s Get To It”

04. Impossible Princess (1997)

Released during a waning period in her career, Impossible Princess is Kylie’s most experimental record to date. The album, co-written entirely by Kylie herself, is deeply personal and draws inspiration from a variety of musical genres. Impossible Princess is a testament to her willingness to try something new and should be celebrated for its unique qualities.

Recommended Listening: “Too Far,” “Cowboy Style,” “Did It Again,” “Dreams”

03. Kiss Me Once (2014)

As the most recent addition to her discography, Kiss Me Once is a blissful collection of contemporary pop songs that are 100 percent classic Kylie. Kiss Me Once proves that she still has what it takes to stay relevant. From the summery “Sexy Love” to the naughty “Sexercize,” this record is playful and fun just like the pint-size Aussie.

Recommended Listening: “Into the Blue,” “Sexy Love,” “Sexercize,” “Les Sex,” “Kiss Me Once”

02. Light Years (2000)

Credited with resurrecting her career in the early-2000s, Light Years was a return to form for Kylie. This Nu Disco collection assembles hit after hit with its infectious dance tracks. The album doesn’t take itself too seriously, thereby cementing its status as a shamelessly entertaining masterpiece. Often overshadowed by the success of its successor Fever, Light Years is incredibly fun and is a shining moment in Kylie’s career.

Recommended Listening: “Spinning Around,” “On a Night Like This,” “Loveboat,” “Your Disco Needs You,” “Butterfly,” “Light Years”

01. Aphrodite (2010)

Teaming up with Stuart Price (the genius who partnered with Madonna to bring us Confessions on a Dancefloor), Kylie delivered her magnum opus in the form of 2010’s Aphrodite. A glorious collection of pop gems, this album is an electronic masterpiece from start to finish. The record is a celebration of love and self-empowerment, summing up Kylie’s persona flawlessly in this twelve song set. It’s also worth noting that this album is responsible for netting Kylie the honour of having a number one album in the UK for each of the past four decades.

Recommended Listening: “All the Lovers,” “Get Outta My Way,” “Aphrodite,” “Too Much,” “Can’t Beat the Feeling”

Review: The New Teen Titans Omnibus, Volume 1

As far as dynamic duos in comic books go, Marv Wolfman and George Perez are easily within the top ten. Their legendary run on The New Teen Titans re-invented the way readers looked at sidekicks and was the primary influence for the Teen Titans cartoon from the 2000s. The New Teen Titans Omnibus Volume 1 collects the first two years of their run, giving fans a chance to read these adventures from the very beginning. In this oversized hardcover collection, the Teen Titans are re-assembled after an invasion of the alien race known as the Gordanians. Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, and Changeling join mainstays Robin, Wonder Girl, and Kid Flash to form the “new” Teen Titans.

The first two years of their adventures are chronicled here in fresh, new colours and features them facing off against the likes of Deathstroke, the Brotherhood of Evil, and the demonic Trigon. For the most part, Wolfman and Perez were still finding their feet. Many of the villains in this compilation are too colourful and too zany to be taken seriously. Wolfman and Perez also have a tendency to overdramatize. Cyborg is overly angsty and is incredibly antagonistic towards his teammates. It makes him incredibly unlikable. Similarly, Changeling’s flippant attitude becomes rather grating after a while. Even the sweet romantic overtones of Kid Flash and Raven's interactions are all but ruined by messy lashings of melodrama.

However, there are moments of brilliance here. Starfire and Raven are the runaway stars of the Teen Titans. Starfire’s attitude and impulsivity make her incredibly compelling, while Raven’s compassion and tragic backstory are gripping. Standout stories include the Titans’ battle against Trigon, as well as their desperate attempt to rescue Wonder Girl from the clutches of the Titans of Myth. Another thrilling adventure sees them facing off against the Fearsome Five, who prove to be an incredibly dangerous band of miscreants. There's even a crossover with the Justice League of America here! Also included are the origin stories for the four new recruits. As can be expected, Starfire and Raven’s origins are the best of the bunch. In fact, Starfire's origin story is arguably the most harrowing and multifaceted story in this collection.

There’s no denying that every Teen Titan fan should own this collection. It is essential reading that features some of the most iconic adventures the Titans have had to date. The art is stunning and dynamic, while the characters are captivating. The only fault with this compilation is the variance in quality. Any stories that focus too heavily on Cyborg or Changeling tend to be much less interesting than those that spotlight the other Titans. While this could largely be a personal preference, Wolfman and Perez’s work is at its strongest when the women are placed at the forefront. Lastly, readers will want to be aware of the age of these stories. They’re from the early-‘80s and have a different aesthetic than contemporary works. The writing is fuller and the art can be a little gaudy at times. That said, consider yourself lucky if you manage to get your hands on this big honkin’ textbook of a collection!

Rating: B

Top 10: Best Catwoman Stories

Despite being one of Batman’s most iconic foes, Catwoman has largely been a bit-player for most of her history. Prior to the 1980s, she appeared sporadically as a villain and later became a minor supporting character in the Batman comics. After the astronomic success of Batman Returns, DC Comics were finally given the push to give the Feline Fatale her very own ongoing solo series.

Chronicled here are ten of her best solo ventures. These include a variety of stories featuring Catwoman at her best. For any fan of the Feline Fatale or anyone looking to learn more, these are ten stories you do not want to miss!

10. “Birds of Prey: Catwoman/Batgirl” (2003)

This two-part series tells the story of Catwoman and Batgirl teaming up to stop a serial killer. Written by John Francis Moore, this series revisits Catwoman’s past to reveal her long-standing distaste for injustices committed against women. It also gives a rare glimpse into Catwoman and Batgirl’s history together.

09. “Devil Does Your Dog Bite” (1996)

Catwoman v1 #33-36

When Chuck Dixon took over Catwoman’s solo title in the mid-1990s, he introduced a new and dangerous foe for the Feline Fatale – Hellhound. In this four-part narrative, Catwoman is kidnapped by Hellhound and is tasked with recovering a lost artifact. This adventure is highly inspired by Indiana Jones and forces Catwoman to overcome some rather crazy traps.

08. “Wild Ride” (2003)

Catwoman v2 #20-24

After a year of ups and downs, Catwoman decides it’s time for a break and heads off on a road trip with her friend Holly Robinson. Writer Ed Brubaker shows the Feline Fatale having fun and has her interact with a bevvy of interesting guest stars. From Captain Cold to Hawkgirl, this five-part adventure is light-hearted and solidifies Catwoman’s place in the DC Universe at large.

07. “Larceny Loves Company” (1996)

Catwoman v1 #28-30

Despite her independent nature and distrust of others, Catwoman reluctantly teams up with a group of thieves to pull off a high-stakes caper. Chuck Dixon delivers another action-packed adventure for the Feline Fatale and, in the process, crafts some rather colourful characters.

06. “No Man’s Land” (1999-2000)

Catwoman v1 #72-76

When an earthquake decimates Gotham City, Catwoman left her hometown and briefly moved to New York City. While on the outside, Gotham City was declared a No Man’s Land and Catwoman was subsequently barred from returning. However, when Batman asks for her help, she sneaks her way back into Gotham City and finds herself in the middle of Lex Luthor’s scheme to take over the city. This five-part arc features Catwoman facing off against the likes of Lex Luthor, Mercy Graves, and the Penguin, and shows how capable she is of taking down even the most dangerous of enemies.

05. “She-Cats” (1997)

Catwoman v1 #42-44

Following Chuck Dixon’s departure on Catwoman’s title, veteran Batman writer Doug Moench took over the writing duties. One of his most memorable contributions to the series was the introduction of the villainesses Alley Cat and Cyber-Cat. While the former was largely a joke villain, the latter became Catwoman’s most dangerous enemy to date. This three-part story featured Catwoman facing off against these two copycats as they vied for the same prize.

04. “Anodyne” (2002)

Catwoman v2 #1-4

After faking her own death, Selina Kyle donned her Catwoman costume once more when prostitutes began showing up dead in her neighbourhood. This four-part narrative was the start of a new series for the Feline Fatale helmed by the critically acclaimed writer Ed Brubaker. It’s stylish, dark, and ushered in a new era for Catwoman.

03. “When in Rome” (2004-2005)

With the popularity of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s work on Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark Victory, the pair teamed up once more to address the dangling plot threads they had left behind with Catwoman’s character. This mini-series sees Catwoman travelling to Italy to discover the truth about her heritage. Along the way, she goes shopping, steals some stuff, and faces off against Wonder Woman’s nemesis Cheetah.

02. “Catfile” (1995)

Catwoman v1 #15-18

When Catwoman is captured by a covert government agency, she is caught in a web of international intrigue after being forced to cooperate with them. This high-stakes adventure is Selina’s most memorable capers and features some of the wittiest writing she has had to date. Chuck Dixon does an amazing job and this served as a brilliant introduction into his run on her first solo series.

01.  “Relentless” (2002-2003)

Catwoman v2 #12-16

Arguably one of the best runs to date, Ed Brubaker’s time on Catwoman’s second solo series remains the most consistent depiction of the Feline Fatale. His crowning achievement was this five-part narrative introducing Black Mask as a nemesis for Catwoman. This story is full of unexpected twists and features some of the most devastating events that have ever happened to the Feline Fatale and her closest allies. This Catwoman arc is not to be missed!

Review: Wonder Woman Volume 2, Guts

Continuing his blockbuster run on Wonder Woman, Brian Azzarello takes the Amazon Princess into the depths of hell in Wonder Woman Volume 2: Guts. This action-packed collection is stylish, dark, and full of surprises.

After the events of the preceding issues, Wonder Woman travels to the underworld to rescue her friend Zola from Hades. Along the way, there are a handful of unexpected twists and turns. Azzarello maintains a firm grip on Wonder Woman's character, depicting her as compassionate and unyieldingly determined to protect her allies. The other characters in this collection have tremendous depth and Azzarello manages to weave their narratives all into one intricate web of intrigue. He makes it easy for readers to care about these individuals. At the same time, he cleverly throws in shocking plot twists you won't see coming. Know this: no one is safe.

Once again, Cliff Chiang and Tony Akins share art duties. Chiang continues to impress with his character designs. From Artemis to Demeter, they are brilliantly designed to be both modern and wickedly strange. Additionally, his depiction of Diana's initial trip into hell is nothing short of horrific yet brilliantly stunning. Similarly, Akins excels in the macabre with his pencils. His work is sure to make your skin crawl (in the best possible way).

Where the first six issues of Wonder Woman saw Azzarello getting his feet wet, here he hits his stride. The consistent tone present in this book is incredible, while the depth of the characters is commendable. Above all else, he manages to pull of some amazing surprises that are sure to impress even the most infallible of comic book readers.

Rating: A

Review: Worlds' Finest Volume 1, The Lost Daughters of Earth 2

A year after DC Comics re-launched their universe under the New 52 initiative, the company introduced a second wave of books to replace those that had been cancelled. Among the new titles was Worlds’ Finest, starring the fan-favourites Power Girl and Huntress. Written by Paul Levitz and illustrated jointly by George Perez and Kevin Maguire, Worlds’ Finest had everything it needed to please fans. Unfortunately, many were displeased with Power Girl’s costume and the return of Helena Wayne (and, therefore, the death of Helena Bertinelli). Could this have been DC Comics’ biggest misstep?

When an alternate Earth is on the brink of destruction, two of its heroes – Supergirl and Robin – are transported to another world. Now stranded on an Earth not unlike their own, the pair are determined to find their way back home. In the meantime Supergirl transforms herself into the bodacious Power Girl, while Robin becomes the stealthy vigilante known as the Huntress. Honestly, the premise has promise. The pacing is a little bit slower than usual and spends time in both the past and present, so it gives the characters ample opportunity to show off their personality. Power Girl is a single-minded individual whose determination to get back home has become an obsession. She’s blossomed into a business tycoon and has more sass than she knows what to do with. Huntress, on the other hand, is very much a realist. She’s more or less relegated herself to life on this new world. Also front and center is their indisputable friendship. These two women clearly care about one another and their banter is truly quite funny at times. It’s refreshing to read a comic where the women get along and aren’t spending every waking moment reflecting on their relationships with men. In fact, it may even remind some of Gail Simone's early work on Birds of Prey.

While Paul Levitz may have come under fire for his writing, the biggest point of contention should be on the art. The story itself is fun and light, while the characters are equally as bubbly and tenacious. Unfortunately, the decision to split the art between Perez and Maguire brings the title down. Perez takes care of all panels relating to the present. His art has aged poorly and is terribly clunky. The main females look disappointingly dull and his decision to draw Power Girl with a flipped hairstyle is a crime. For all the people complaining about the lack of a boob window, they really should have been focused on the fact that she’s wearing a hairstyle from 2000. She’s supposed to be a CEO for crying out loud! To go back to the boob window fiasco, what was the point of covering the character up if Perez was just going to draw her in tatters half the time anyway? Maguire’s art, however, is bursting with character. The heroes are expressive and full of life. He should have been given full art duties, rather than just the panels focused on the past.

Given all of the criticism Worlds’ Finest has received, it’s safe to say that the book has suffered from a severe case of nitpicking. When stripped down to its core components, the title has everything it needs to succeed. It’s funny at times and has tremendous heart at others. Power Girl is still as brash as she’s always been and Levitz has taken great care to emphasize her skills as a businesswoman (something that largely fell to the wayside previously). The contrast between the two main characters is right on point and their chemistry is fantastic. Though it may not be one of DC Comics’ best titles (not every title can be as stunning as Batwoman or as impressive as Wonder Woman), it is one of the few that truly showcases the importance of friendship.

Rating: B