Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready announces graphic novel and ‘lost’ rock opera

Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready has announced a brand-new graphic novel and “lost” rock opera called Mike McCready’s Farewell to Seasons.

The project is set to drop readers into an alternative history of Seattle’s legendary music scene during the ’80s and ’90s, the same era that launched bands like Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog and Mad Season.

For the rock opera side of things, it’ll come bundled with the Deluxe Edition of the book, with songs written from the perspective of the story’s lead character David Williams and pressed on Rain City yellow vinyl.

There’s also a Platinum Edition signed by McCready featuring a translucent Elliot Bay green LP and a stack of collectible extras.

Speaking about the project, McCready said, “I’m incredibly excited to announce my new graphic novel with Z2, Farewell to Seasons. It’s a story I’ve been developing for many years, inspired by the creativity, community and chaos of the Seattle music scene.”

He continued, “‘Farewell to Seasons’ is a historical fantasy set in that world and alongside the graphic novel there will also be a ‘lost’ rock opera connected to the story, featuring original music written from the perspective of David Williams, one of the main characters.”

Adding, “I’ve had a great time bringing this project to life with Z2 and I hope people enjoy the journey as much as I did creating it.”

Rantz A Hoseley, Editor-in-Chief at Z2, said the project captures a moment when Seattle suddenly became the centre of the music universe.

“Having been in the heart of the NW music scene as a journalist in the 1990s, I’ve wanted for years to work on a project that would reflect what it was actually like for the musicians and the fans when ‘the world came to Seattle.’”

Pre-orders for Farewell to Seasons are live now through the Z2 website, with physical copies set to land worldwide on October 6.

For Pearl Jam fans, it sounds like a pretty unique way to step back into the wild days when Seattle changed rock music forever.