One year after Britney Spears' train-wreck VMA performance, the reportedly reformed singer's return to the VMA stage was twofold: 1) to open the awards and 2) sweet vindication, which she got ... kinda.

Her opening appearance was short. And, well, she didn't stumble in her heels. Dressed in a skin-tight silver spangled dress, Spears kicked off the big event with a pre-taped comedic intro with 'Superbad' actor Jonah Hill, with hopes for another surprise or two. Rumors of a performance by Spears swirled, but to no avail. She exited the stage almost as quickly as she took to it, rushing through the monologue with the mic covering much of her face. "Thank you for all the love," she said. "I'm here to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the VMAs." It wouldn't be the last of her.

Russell Brand took over official hosting duties with Jamie Foxx taking the stage shortly thereafter to announce the nominees for Best Female Video, which Spears was up for, alongside Rihanna, Katy Perry, Mariah Carey and Jordin Sparks. After 16 career nominations, a dance with a boa constrictor, a lip-lock with Madonna and a complete meltdown later, Spears finally won her first with 'Piece of Me,' a second for Best Pop Video and, most importantly and interestingly, Video of the Year. "I first want to thank God for blessing me like this," she said. "I want to thank my family and two beautiful boys for inspiring me everyday. And my fans -- this is for you."

On This Date in 1949: Gloria Gaynor, who had a 1979 No. 1 hit with 'I Will Survive,' is born.

The Almanac Advises for September 7: "Data shows that in the U.S., about a half million babies are born prematurely each year, which is about 10 percent of all births. With modern improvements in neonatal care, many more 'preemies' are growing up to lead healthy, normal lives than ever."

Artist: Locksley
Songs: 'All Over Again'
Album: 'Dont Make Me Wait' [iTunes]
Sounds Like: Albert Hammond Jr., 1990s

Download: 'All Over Again'(MP3)

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This Week: Santogold rocked out in London, Goldfrapp got down for the Scots, Deerhunter brought their glow to Colorado and much more.

Once a source of shame, comic book fanaticism has been on a quickly inclining trajectory of hip. Not only have major motion picture companies ramped-up their queue of graphic novel-inspired films, but celebrities have be revealing their inner nerds everywhere from high-profile interviews to appearances at Comic-Con.

Just take Eddie Argos. By night he's the quirky lead singer of concept-cool Brit band Art Brut, but catch him during the day and you're likely to find him with his nose in a comic book or busy writing his new column for Playback -- an entertainment site based out of St. Louis.

Cleverly titled 'Pow to the People,' Argos, a self-professed comic book fanatic with a penchant for superheroes, waxes poetic each week about such topics as the old vs. new Batman, comics he's too embarrassed to buy and more. Check out some of his musings here.

After the jump, find out more musicians with comic-book connections, plus watch Argos describe his most awesomest dream ever.

On This Date in 1986: 'Venus,' by Bananarama, ascends to the No. 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart. The original version of the song, by the Shocking Blue, was also a chart topper, in 1970.

The Almanac Advises for September 6: "The planet second closest to the sun, Venus is the brightest natural object in the night sky other than the moon. It is also an extremely hot heavenly body, with a mean surface temperature of 860°F (460°C)."

Artist: You Say Party! We Say Die!
Songs: 'Opportunity' (Montag's I Love Her Remix)
Album: 'Remik's Cube' [iTunes]
Sounds Like: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ponytail

Download: 'Opportunity' (Montag's I Love Her Remix) (MP3)

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A "secret Britney video" is making the rounds on the Interwebs in advance of the pop star's appearance on this weekend's VMAs. In the clip, an enthusiastic Brit rehearses a dance routine to a previously unreleased song. Publicity stunt or genuine covert ops? You be the judge.

The late, lamented 'Sopranos' had much more music appreciation than just the name of Tony's family. The character of money man Hesh Rabkin, for instance, represented a poorly kept secret of the American recording industry: the real-life music entrepreneurs who bilked performers out of their rightful paydays.

When a hip-hop thug named Massive G tries to shake down Hesh for $400,000 in one episode, claiming he took advantage of a 1950s R&B singer named Little Jimmy Willis, Hesh has a moment of regret. He knows Little Jimmy was just one of many. But it's a fleeting moment. Though his interrogator challenges Hesh to explain what parts of Little Jimmy's songs he wrote to earn his lucrative songwriting credits, Hesh tells him to fly a kite.

At a recent concert, at least one Akon fan did not leave happy. Or conscious. [Dlisted]

Didn't Kanye West say he was boycotting the MTV Awards? [Jossip]

Now why would anybody spend $500,000 on a burnt guitar? [Idolator]

A list of the best fake rockers in films (sadly, they left out 'Sexual Chocolate'). [Yahoo]

Cake is recording their new album entirely with solar power. Your move, Jack Johnson. [Wired]

Hip-hop's finest bling is going up for auction [Rolling Stone]