In 1987, Feazell created a stick figure character named Cynicalman. Asked about the character's name, Feazell explained that he "was having a bad day." Discussing his choice to draw stick figures, he described them as "art (that's) so simple – it verges on calligraphy," and added that thin characters let him condense more information into panels. He also expressed hope that stick figures would inspire people to draw their own comics, advising, "Don't try to fool people into thinking that you're a great artist. Draw what you want to draw. Discover the comic within you – just draw that."