By Jacob Cordas — Bliss #8 is set to his this coming Wednesday, marking the end of a modern myth of a series from writer Sean Lewis and Caitlin Yarsky. The book has been an excellent tale of family, of father and sons, and of overcoming the past. In advance of the finale, today we have a chat about the book with writer Sean Lewis.

You can check it out below…enjoy!

Interview: Writer Sean Lewis talks BLISS #8, the series finale

JACOB CORDAS: Bliss is a really dynamic take on modern mythological storytelling. How did you come up with the idea, and what served as inspiration for the book?

SEAN LEWIS: It had a weird birth. [Caitlin Yarsky] and I wanted to do a book after Coyotes ended but had no ideas. We started talking about two things: what Cait wanted to draw and what we saw happening in the world. There was a lot of violence and battle scenes in Coyotes, so Cait asked that we do a more character focused piece with less fights and more fantasy, and she wanted to draw some amphibians.

I was getting really obsessed with guilt and forgiveness. I started thinking about how people who do bad things are able to walk around during the day without feeling awful. And I was like oh- what if there was a drug that took the bad memories away? From there, the Gods, Lethe and the structure started to come out.

I also wanted to write a book that could fail miserably. I think most books I do, I'm looking to challenge it- bring it right to the place where it could all fall apart. A book about forgiveness that moved back and forth in time, constantly, seemed like it could really be awful if not executed well. Multiple time frames are always hard.

JACOB: Speaking of your work with Caitlin on Coyotes, how has the creative process for each of you changed and evolved on this book versus that earlier project? 

SEAN :I mean, I adore working with Cait. I feel so much trust and shorthand with her. I just know that the project is going to have a really fluid relationship.

Coyotes we were literal strangers. I had sent her a blind email after seeing some art she posted on a comic facebook group. So, we were learning how to work with each other while also learning who each other was. Now, the collaboration is just really open.

JACOB: The art in this book has this twisted pseudo-reality quality to it. I love it, and think of it as both filthy and fairytale-esque. What was the process of creating this unique aesthetic between you? 

SEAN: That's Cait. I know Cait's love for fantasy, so when she wanted a world like that- we talked a bit in the beginning about elements. Like it being on water. But after that it's best to stay out of her way and let her imagination run wild.

JACOB: Family seems to be a consistent recurring theme in your work. What draws you to that theme and what elements of it are you most interested in exploring in the future? 

SEAN: I think when you come from a broken family you tend to long for it. I have a son now and he populates so many of my decisions. I also had a pretty bad dad growing up. And I was lucky to have a great stepdad. I get fascinated by the idea that we all have families but none of our responses to them are the same. Like my dad- he could easily walk away from us. My stepdad- I was a dick- and he could just unabashadly share love with this kid he basically inherited. Both of their decisions are ones I don't know if I could make.

Basically, I am really obsessed with how difficult it is to be truly "good." And I think family tests that. Everyone I've ever met has saiid "I'd do anything for my kids." But how many people do? Kids demand you give up a part of yourself. Partners, too. Parents... who we are iis defined by these constantly changing relationships.

I mean, how many people out there are still doing stuff to prove a family member wrong? To make a family member proud? To make a family member notice them? Everybody, you know.

I think after this and Thumbs I'm gonna be trying things in two new spheres — humor and bad ass action, lol.

JACOB: Finally, without giving anything away, of course, what do we have to look forward to in the upcoming finale?

SEAN: Well, it started at a court of Benton's peers. It's got to end there. The book became a weirdly personal experience that I did not plan on. Benton and Perry became so much me and my dad. So, it became important to engage with that too. Basically, if my son read this when he was old enough what could I tell him and how.

And thanks to those who've read. It's been really flattering how committed and supportive people have been for a pretty insane journey.

Read more great interviews with comics creators!

My name is Jacob Cordas (@jacweasel) and I am starting to think I may in fact be qualified to write this.