"Immersion in negative feelings may make us lose positive perspectives, and we can become progressively anxious. Lin's comics … can snap us out of this."

A comic showing a superhero withstanding attacks with a knife, bomb, arrow and stool impresses Zhang.

Lin's caption reads: "Life endows you with so many difficulties because you are the protagonist."

Zhang says: "These comics first point out the problem. Then, the punch line is encouragement. It helps people face problems."

Lin took inspiration from online news and personal introspections.

The traditional Chinese painting style he uses may enhance the cartoons' appeal. They've proved popular at exhibitions in such countries as the United States, Japan and Greece.

And they've been printed in Vietnam and are scheduled for publication in the US.