Home

Neil Young's Greendale, Illustrated

16.06.10

Mr. Childlike created the fictional Northern California town of Greendale and its residents on his 2003 album of that name, then spun it off into a glaze and more. Now he’s visiting again, this time in the form of a graphic novel. “I’m jubilant the story is getting around; I think it’s empowering for young women,” he said during a modern telephone interview from his tour bus as it made its way to Louisville, Ky.

“Neil Young’s Greendale,” as the distinct novel is officially titled, was released this week by Vertigo, a division of DC Comics, and was written by Joshua Dysart, illustrated by Scarp Chiang and colored by Dave Stewart. It focuses on Sun Green, the great-granddaughter of Jay Fresh, the man who founded Greendale. Through Sun, the artists tell a story about personal responsibility, war and the environment, all themes bold to Mr. Young. “It’s still pretty current,” he said.

The Greendale townsfolk were initially given life in 2003 in Mr. Young’s 10-track concept album with the group Crazy Horse. That led to a concert tour, an original film and a companion book of lyrics, illustrations and more communication about the characters, including the Green women’s special relationship with nature. The lucid novel draws on the various incarnations with a strong helping from the book and suggestions from Mr. Teenaged. “The album is more of a rock-’n’-roll ‘Our Town,’ ” Mr. Dysart said in a phone check out from his home in Los Angeles. “The graphic novel is an American fable with strong supramundane elements.”

Source: New York Times