Michael Jackson: A global bizarre

Millions of words will spill forth over the following days and weeks on "what Michael Jackson meant." Musical genius? Pedophile? Hero? Villain? Tragedy? Farce? Freak?

So while it’s tempting to analyze his musical skills (you’ve got serious game when the legendary Quincy Jones calls you "my little brother"), or trot out his tortured travesties (as part of its extensive coverage, China’s People’s Daily has a headline today that reads: "Jackson crowned ‘most foolish American’ for the fourth straight year"), we’ve decided to spare you the deep thoughts.

Words, after all, can’t begin to explain this broken man, the import of his music, and the global phenomenon he created.

Instead, we’ve collected some compelling images of Jackson from around the world. So put on your glove, and click away.