The publicity blitz for Madonna’s upcoming album, Hard Candy, is just starting, folks. Visit a newsstand and you’re sure to see her face on the cover of a magazine.

Case in point, the image on the right. Her Madgesty looks smashing on the new Vanity Fair, gracing the magazine’s Green Issue. But like most things Madonna, the appearance has stirred some controversy, with charges that her typically sinewy form has been toned down. Photoshopped or not, I still can’t believe she’s gonna turn 50 this year.

As it’s Madonna’s tenth turn in the Vanity Fair spotlight, the magazine is looking back with an online portfolio of her many looks over the years (and a few memorable words, too).

Not one to be outdone, Elle magazine released behind-the-scenes footage of its Madonna cover shoot (set to her new single, “4 Minutes”):

The Elle interview was conducted by Simon Doonan, creative director of Barneys New York, whom I adore. You can get a taste of his talk with Madonna here.