Can Wacko Jacko make a comeback?

So goes one of the biggest questions of this year’s entertainment world.

Jackson is in the process of an all-media assault that will culminate in his long-delayed Invincible comeback album, slated for an Oct. 30 release. “You Rock My World,” his first single off the egotistically-titled album, which was supposedly “leaked” to radio, leads a long roster of promo material for the reclusive star. Jackson made a surprise appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards earlier this month alongside ‘N Sync. His 30th Anniversary Celebration concerts drew some of today’s biggest and best talent including the likes of Whitney Houston, ‘N Sync, and Britney Spears (an edited version of which will air on CBS Nov. 2). The concerts also brought his brothers together for a highly anticipated Jackson 5 reunion.

Jackson, along with a slew of other American recording artists, will also be recording “What More Can I Give” to benefit the victims of the Sep. 11 terrorist attacks. In addition, Jackson has released “Cry,” a single off of Invincible, as a tribute to the victims of the recent tragedy. On Oct. 16 Sony Music will release the expanded versions of Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous.

Is this an exceptional amount of publicity for one disc? It might be needed. The stakes are high for both Jackson and his label, Sony, which is reeling from disappointing releases from high profile artists like Ricky Martin and Jessica Simpson and a lack of new product from mainstays like Celine Dion and Lauryn Hill. That might explain why Sony has sunk a record-setting $30 million to produce the first Jackson album in seven years.

The eccentric star has taken far longer than expected to produce the album. Over three years have been spent on the creation of Invincible, where an estimated 50 tracks were recorded. Some of the most expensive producers in the business, including R. Kelly, Teddy Riley, and Rodney Jerkins, were recruited to produce the album where 16 of his best songs have been ultimately chosen for the final product. The delays frustrated many Jackson associates whose patience for Jackson’s perfectionism grew wearily thin.

Needless to say, Sony wants to avoid another Blood on the Dance Floor, the 1997 dud that followed 1995’s underwhelming HIStory lesson. (The latter sold just 1.4 million copies in the U.S., while Blood cleared a paltry 230,000.) Invincible reportedly infuses Jackson’s sound with more commercial hip-hop elements; a formula Sony hopes will modernize Jackson’s sound and lead to commercial success.

IS JACKSON ‘INVINCIBLE’?

Even if Jackson’s sound is in sync with modern tastes, will Sony be able to sell the 43-year-old singer to our “TRL” nation, many of whom were born before his 1982 landmark Thriller? And even if such an arduous task is attained, will there be any payoff considering the megabucks being poured into such a colossal comeback effort (the 14-minute video to “You Rock My World” reportedly cost $5 million)?

Many feel that if Jackson doesn’t strike a chord with Invincible his future career will be over. Jackson’s career took a nosedive in 1993, when he was investigated by Santa Barbara, Calif., police on charges that he had molested a then 13-year-old boy. No charges were filed, but Jackson settled a civil claim out of court for an undisclosed, reportedly substantial sum ($15 million has been a popular figure in the press). Santa Barbara officials confirm recent tabloid reports that the case is still open, though the investigation has been suspended.

Unfortunately, molestation charges only tell part of the story. Jackson married and divorced Elvis Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie, and the unconventional relationship with his second wife, Debbie Rowe, who bore Jackson’s two children, son, Prince, 4, and daughter, Paris, 3, also ended in divorce. And his penchant for wearing a surgical mask reveals one fact he can’t hide forever-endless visits to the plastic surgeon, which have transformed the King of Pop into the King of Shock.

So far, Sony has been successful in avoiding the charges, and turning the curiosity about the man into curiosity about the music. But are his days of attracting lurid headlines completely over?

AN INDOMITABLE LEGEND

As a singer, composer, producer, arranger and musician, Jackson is one of the most talented and influential artists in the history of recorded music. He is an artist whose music has impacted three generations. Although it has been years since his reign at the top and the focus has been on nothing but the controversy and the freak show, Jackson’s fame and stature as one of the greatest entertainers is enormous.

Even if Jackson’s latest work flops, his illustrious efforts to the entertainment world have changed pop culture forever. Jackson blew open the door for new African-American artists, revolutionized the music video, defied the laws of gravity with his trademark moonwalk dance and popularized the sequined glove. Thriller, which has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, has been referred to as one of the best albums of all time.

The talent and name recognition alone has stirred curiosity about Invincible. Excellent buzz on the album continues to mount as record executives and industry insiders have been raving about tracks that have been previewed. But while the formulaic R’B grinder of a first single has been getting airplay on urban and pop stations, response has been less than overwhelming. However, just two days after the MTV premiere of his first “short film” (Jackson’s term for a video) of “You Rock My World” Jackson surprisingly entered the countdown, mostly represented by teen acts, at No. 9.

So, can Jackson avoid becoming the King of Flop and reclaim his throne as the King of Pop? Apparently, the biggest question in entertainment also turns out to be the trickiest.