At San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Pearl Jam's founding guitarist Mike McCready wasn't just soaking in the spectacle—he was there to champion his latest creative venture: a graphic novel called Farewell to Seasons. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer stopped by Collider's studio to chat with Steven Weintraub about the project, which he describes as a love letter to the Seattle he knew before the world caught on.
Written by McCready and Mark Sable, with art by Sebastián Piriz and published by Z2 Comics, Farewell to Seasons is a blend of historical fiction and fantasy. It's set in Seattle from 1985 to 1995, a period McCready lived through as a musician on the rise. He calls it "historical fiction of the Seattle music scene from 1985 to 1995, from the front row that I was in as I went through it." The story captures a grittier, pre-grunge Seattle, but it also weaves in fantastical elements inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. At its core, the novel explores the heavy toll that artistic ambition took on so many during that era, asking a haunting question: "Was it worth it?"
During the interview, McCready opened up about the possibility of adapting Farewell to Seasons into a limited series or even a stage play. He also touched on whether Pearl Jam might ever lend their music to a full soundtrack for a film or TV show. While he's personally scored projects like the Johnny Cash documentary The Gift and the Elvis doc The Searcher, and even acted in Almost Famous under Cameron Crowe's direction, he noted that the band as a whole hasn't taken on a full soundtrack offer—at least not that he's heard of.
McCready also shared his love for comics, revealing he's a devoted Spider-Man collector, though he's careful not to splurge on mint-condition issues—"my wife would divorce me," he joked. His collection extends to vinyl records and guitars, and he's even traded axes with Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, a childhood hero who's now a friend.
When asked which musician he wishes he could have seen live, McCready didn't hesitate: Jimi Hendrix. "I would have loved to see him at Monterey when he first came out," he said, referencing Hendrix's iconic 1967 performance. He also expressed admiration for Queen, calling Freddie Mercury "a genius beyond genius." But he offered a playful warning: watching Queen's Rock Montreal before a Pearl Jam show is a surefire way to ruin your own set—"Don't do that, kids."
The conversation also touched on McCready's experience at Comic-Con, which he called "insane" compared to the smaller conventions he's attended in Seattle. He enjoys the chaos, especially spotting fans in elaborate costumes. "That's my favorite thing about it," he said.
With Farewell to Seasons now out, McCready is eager to see where the story might go next. Whether it becomes a screen adaptation or a stage production, the guitarist is clearly excited to explore new creative frontiers beyond the stage. For fans of Pearl Jam and graphic novels alike, this is a project that promises to offer a unique glimpse into a pivotal moment in music history.
