Neil Young’s Greendale

An engrossing story of how every generation rediscovers its own coming-of-age journey, adapted from the rock opera album by Neil Young. Dysart (Unknown Soldier) and artist Chiang (Human Target; Green Arrow/Black Canary) take the reader into the life of a young woman discovering the history of multiple generations of her family. Early in 2003, 17-year-old Sun Green has dreams of her aunt, long disappeared, bringing cryptic messages for her. When awake, her life is no simpler. Her grandfather has Alzheimer’s and is dying; her cousin is depressed and making his living transporting drugs; and Sun is troubled by constant news reports on the buildup to war in Iraq and plans to begin drilling for oil in Alaska. She reaches out to estranged family members in her search to understand the bizarre fate of women in the Green family and their connection to nature. Standing against her is a malevolent stranger who seems to be tied into tragic events both in global politics and Sun’s life. Dysart’s writing ably builds the mystery of the story toward Sun’s climactic discoveries about herself and her family that lead to life-changing decisions. Chiang’s art excels at mixing the magical elements of the story with its foundation in reality and recent world events. (June)