The 'Skeleton Pointing Gun' meme features an image of a cloaked skeletal figure, reminiscent of Death or the Grim Reaper, pointing a handgun directly at the viewer. The skeleton is enveloped in smoke, enhancing the eerie and macabre aesthetic of the image. Typically, this image is paired with captions above and below, often portraying the skeleton as a formidable and badass character. The meme has evolved into various versions and spin-offs, maintaining a mix of serious and ironic tones and is a notable example of the trend featuring edgy skeleton characters.
The distinctive image of a cloaked skeleton wielding a gun originally appeared on tattoo-related websites and forums as early as 2013. However, it was first used in a meme context by the Facebook page Not Only Do We on August 5th, 2015. The initial meme post featured the skeleton brandishing a gun with the caption 'Hell ya!!' and a threat that the skeleton would become the 'reaper' to those who betray his trust. This particular portrayal quickly gained popularity.[1]
Origin: 2015