Punishable by fine means legal for a price Until we meet again
The image is a two-panel meme featuring a character that resembles Skeletor from the 1980s animated series "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe." In the first panel, Skeletor is depicted lounging on a wooden bench with a relaxed, almost smug expression on his skeletal face. Accompanying this image is the text, "Punishable by fine means legal for a price." This statement presents a humorous take on the perception of laws with financial penalties: suggesting that if one can afford to pay the fine associated with a law, one can bypass the legal restriction.
In the second panel, we see an image of Skeletor seemingly running away, the action underscored by the caption "Until we meet again," which adds to the comedic narrative of the meme. This suggests that Skeletor is committing the act which is "punishable by fine," and evading the situation, perhaps to avoid paying the fine or as a cheeky acknowledgment that he will repeat the act in the future when he can afford to do so again.
The humor in this image may stem from its ironic and satirical portrayal of how wealth can influence one's experience with the law. The implication is that laws can be effectively ignored by those who have enough money to pay the fines—critiquing a system where money can override the intention of legal consequences to prevent certain behaviors.
Additionally, the use of Skeletor—a villain from a children's cartoon—as the subject of this meme heightens its comical effect, as the juxtaposition of a cartoon character with an adult concept of legal and financial manipulation plays into the unexpected and absurd, which is often at the heart of humor.
The casual posture of Skeletor in the first panel, coupled with the more active and sneaky portrayal in the second, paints a comedic picture of nonchalance followed by a hasty 'getaway' from responsibility. This sequence of images mimics a common trope in humor where someone who is initially carefree and confident is later depicted in a contrasting state of retreat or escape.
Lastly, the popularity of Skeletor on the internet as a memeable character adds to the comedic value of this image. His iconic look and the nostalgia associated with his character from "He-Man" make this image instantly recognizable and shareable among those who appreciate internet humor and 80s pop culture references. Punishable by fine means legal for a price Until we meet again
