The Cereal Guy meme first appeared on the Something Awful forums in the late 2000s, created by user Bob Averill. It features a simple stick figure eating a bowl of cereal while reacting to something off-screen, usually with a judgmental or skeptical attitude. Known for its MS Paint aesthetic, the character became a viral sensation for his relatable 'guy on the internet' persona. While often used in four-panel comics that end with him spitting out his milk in shock, the blank single-panel version is the go-to format for presenting sharp commentary or controversial opinions.