AND REMEMBER WHOEVER AIR DRUMS TO DEF LEPPARD WITH TWO HANDS IS A PRICK UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
The image contains two panels, both featuring a character that appears to be from an animated series. In the top panel, this character looks dominating, holds a drumstick in his hand, and is issuing what seems to be a farewell statement or a piece of advice. The text overlay says, "AND REMEMBER, WHOEVER AIR DRUMS TO DEF LEPPARD WITH TWO HANDS IS A PRICK." This declaration sets a humorous tone by combining the serious demeanor of the character with an unexpected and incongruous subject relating to air drumming to a rock band.
The bottom panel shows the same character, but now with a change in demeanor. This time, he is receding into the shadows, conveying a secretive or sneaky exit, reminiscent of a villain from a cartoon. The text overlay reads, "UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN," which contrasts the previous message's somewhat harsh advice with a cliché sign-off often used by characters in a dramatic or suspenseful context.
What makes the image amusing to people could be the juxtaposition of a cartoon villain, typically associated with grand, evil plans, providing a very specific and oddly specific piece of social commentary involving air drumming. The humor stems from the absurdity of taking such a trivial matter so seriously, and the character's imposing stature adds to the comic effect.
The reference to Def Leppard in the top panel enhances the humor for those who are aware that the drummer of Def Leppard, Rick Allen, lost his left arm in an accident, but impressively continued his career using a modified drum kit that allowed him to play with one arm. Therefore, the advice given by the character is a playful nod to this fact and suggests it would be disrespectful to mimic drumming with two hands when the actual drummer only uses one.
The phrase "air drums to Def Leppard with two hands" makes light of how individuals sometimes mimic the action of playing instruments while listening to music, often without regard to the reality of the musicians’ performance. The character calling someone a "prick" for doing so exaggerates the social faux pas to a level of villainy, which is fitting given the character’s appearance as a classic animated antagonist.
Finally, the disparity between the character's authoritative pose in the first panel and the sneaking-away image in the second adds a layer of irony. The statement given is meant to be taken as a weighty last command before departing, yet the character's exit implies a somewhat comical evasion, as if he himself is avoiding the consequences of such a quirky proclamation. The overall humor is derived from a mash-up of cultural references, unexpected advice, and the whimsical application of a serious tone to a decidedly non-serious matter. AND REMEMBER WHOEVER AIR DRUMS TO DEF LEPPARD WITH TWO HANDS IS A PRICK UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
