Pearl Jam's Mike McCready Announces New Graphic Novel & 'Lost' Rock Opera Album

Official Announcement | Published: Mar 12, 2026 3:42 PM EDT

(The Syndicate) Mike McCready, guitarist for Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog, and Mad Season, has teamed up with Z2 to release the original graphic novel and "lost" rock opera, Mike McCready's Farewell to Seasons. Developed over the last 20 years, McCready's story captures the drive and sense of community that forged the powerful backbone of the Seattle music scene of the 1980s, as their world changed forever with the explosion of grunge in the '90s. Farewell to Seasons unflinchingly shows the brutal cost it had for so many artists and musicians as it captures the lived experience of that seminal era. The glory and the heartbreak as it asks the unanswerable question... was it worth it?

McCready adds, "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. 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. 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."

Deluxe editions of the graphic novel come packaged with McCready's FAREWELL TO SEASONS, a rock opera of new and original songs. These songs were written and recorded as an artifact created by the lead character, David Williams. It will be exclusively available on Rain City Yellow vinyl as part of the deluxe edition and Translucent Elliot Bay Green vinyl within the Platinum package, and will not immediately be available on streaming services or digital platforms.

Renowned for his fiery, melodic solos and electrifying stage presence, McCready draws inspiration from blues and rock icons such as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. His signature playing and songwriting is featured on landmark hits including "Yellow Ledbetter," "River of Deceit," "State of Love and Trust," and "Given to Fly", songs that helped shape a generation of modern rock.

When asked about FAREWELL TO SEASONS, Z2's Editor in Chief, Rantz A. Hoseley said "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.' I can say, without any hyperbole or exaggeration, that I feel like my entire creative life has led to me being involved with this book, and I feel so blessed to be a part of bringing Mike's beautiful and poignant story to the world."

This graphic novel and rock opera will be released as a slip-cased oversized 12" x 12" Deluxe Edition, as well as a regular sized 9" x 9" standard edition. All editions of Mike McCready's Farewell to Seasons will be available exclusively at Z2's website to pre-order starting March 12 2026, and a standard-sized edition will be available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, as well as other independent book stores, retailers and fine comic shops worldwide on October 6.