Review by Frank Plowright

Although the Amazing Cynicalman is an attention grabbing title character, this collection of newspaper strips emphasises whichever of an assortment of other creations best sells Matt Feazell’s joke. The four consecutive sample strips indicate the variety ranging from political commentary through playing with form to slap-the-forehead dumbness.

It’s an effective production line highlighting the key ingredient being Feazell’s individual sense of humour rather than any beloved character. That ranges from to the sheer absurdity of a snail entering a bar, a joke good enough to prompt a sequel, to anger at national and local politicians. Many strips were produced during the financial depression begun in 2008, and Feazell’s brief explanations of the greed, stupidity and ineffective administrative solutions should be used in text books. They’re outraged, funny and offer concise explanations of economic terms.

Feazell achieves a surprising amount of mileage from the US conversion to digital TV signals, but the nearest there is to a continuing feature is Cynicalman’s administrative employment at the Board of Superheros. As well as some obvious superhero jokes, the format fits a wide selection of gags.

Because the drawing is stick figures, the ignorant might feel there’s somehow a lack of value, but that’s obviously disproved by the technique and composition. Simplicity isn’t always simple. Moreso than the previous collection, Feazell varies the styles, roughs used for twelve strip ideas, and even photographs are included. Ever wondered what the Board of Superheros would look like as eggs? Here’s a photo revelation. Were the eggs hardboiled first? And if so, who then ate six hardboiled eggs? That you’ll never discover. New additions to the cast this time are Marlene Brando, aspiring actress, and Maw & Paw Headbanger, whose hearing has deteriorated due to too much Metal in their life.

The short is that if you’ve ever enjoyed Cynicalman in any incarnation, Feazell is every bit as good as you remember, and possibly better. You’ll have trouble finding this on bookshop listings, so why not buy from Feazell direct and discover many more treasures on his website.