Music

Neil Young releases Greendale graphic novel

by Ciaran Thompson

Recording with Crazy Horse back in 2003, Neil Young released a concept album based on a fictional northern California town he made up called Greendale. It eventually went on tour, was made into a film and a companion book of lyrics that brought life to the characters within the town, including the green women’s special appreciation for nature.

This past week Vertigo, a division of DC comics released a graphic novel based on Young’s album entitled Neil Young’s Greedale. Written by Joshua Dysart with illustrations by Cliff Chiang and coloured by Dave Stewart, the novel has a central focus on the character Sun Green who is the great-granddaughter of town founder Jay Green. Its theme’s include personal responsibility, war and the environment.

Young worked with Dysart on developing the storyline and it was he who chose Chiang to illustrate the novel. “It took me about a year and a half to get Cliff Chiang,” Young said. “I found his Web site, and I sent him an e-mail telling him I was going to wait until hell froze over.”

The 160-page novel was printed on recycled paper and speaking about it directly Young said, “I’m happy the story is getting around; I think it’s empowering for young women.” [New York Times]