IM NOT A MEME THIEF IM A SOCIAL MEDIA REDISTRIBUTION AGENT UNTIL NEXT TIME
The image is a two-panel meme featuring the character Skeletor, a popular villain from the 1980s animated television series "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe." In the first panel, a close-up of Skeletor is shown with a superimposed text that reads, "IM NOT A MEME THIEF, IM A SOCIAL MEDIA REDISTRIBUTION AGENT." The character is depicted with a smug expression, suggesting he is self-satisfied with the statement he is making. The purple background and his sinister appearance contribute to the comic exaggeration of the scene.
The second panel shows a different scene with Skeletor, where he is seen from behind, walking away into a dark cavern or tunnel with the overlaid caption, "UNTIL NEXT TIME!" This panel gives the impression that Skeletor is making a quick escape, possibly after committing some sort of misdeed or humorous action, with the intention of returning.
The humor in the image largely comes from the juxtaposition of a well-known villain from children's entertainment with a contemporary issue in social media culture – the sharing and sometimes stealing of memes and content. By labeling himself a "SOCIAL MEDIA REDISTRIBUTION AGENT," Skeletor rebrands the negative connotation of "meme thief" with a mock-official and somewhat grandiose title, which is in keeping with his over-the-top evil character persona.
People might find the meme funny because it uses the character of Skeletor—a figure of evil and scheming in his original context—for a relatively trivial and everyday online behavior, thus downplaying the seriousness of the act of meme sharing. The meme winks at the idea that actions on the internet that are frowned upon can be humorously reframed with more legitimate-sounding terminology.
Additionally, it plays on the running gag of Skeletor's catchphrase "UNTIL NEXT TIME!" which he traditionally uses at the end of many episodes when his plans are foiled, and he retreats. This is comically applied to the action of stealing and redistributing memes, implying that, just like his failed schemes in the show, he'll continue this cycle indefinitely.
Lastly, the humor can also be found in the common understanding among internet users that memes are often circulated without crediting the original creators, and Skeletor's newfound title of a "redistribution agent" ironically glorifies what is actually a mundane and somewhat controversial online practice. The meme taps into the digital culture's inside jokes, making it funny to those who understand and appreciate the nuances of social media behavior. IM NOT A MEME THIEF IM A SOCIAL MEDIA REDISTRIBUTION AGENT UNTIL NEXT TIME
