The internet takes on ISIS: jokers photoshop rubber duck heads on militants
- Text by Adam White
![The internet takes on ISIS: jokers photoshop rubber duck heads on militants](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-C_2023-03-27-082536_yxfy.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
While politicians in Europe and the US talk up the threat of ISIS and need to bomb them out of existence, 4chan users (surprise, surprise) have taken a rather different tack. Or should that be ‘quack’?
Seemingly inspired by the eternal comic potential of a good pun, in this case the battle cry of ‘Allahu Quackbar!’, anonymous jokesters have been taking ISIS imagery and replacing the faces of terrorists with the faces of rubber ducks.
“How about castrating the image of IS by replacing the faces on ALL their propaganda photos with bath ducks?” asked a user of 4chan’s ‘Shit4chanSays’ board.
Many have taken the meme further, digitally updating ISIS flags with duck paraphernalia and replacing Kalashnikovs with toilet brushes. The trend has spread beyond 4chan, appearing on Facebook, Twitter and across the internet.
While the British media and others attempt to stoke tension and hysteria, with headlines such as The Sun’s “1 in 5 Brit Muslims’ sympathy for jihadis” headline, it’s nice to see a healthy dose of mockery.
Here are some of our favourite ‘Duck State’ images.
![ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-1](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-1.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-2](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-2.jpg?w=1200&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-3](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-3.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-4](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-4.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-5](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-5.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
![ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-6](https://images.huckmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ISIS-Rubber-Ducks-Huck-6.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Did we miss any great ones? Tweet us @HuckMagazine.
Latest on Huck
![Kathy Shorr’s splashy portraits inside limousines](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/LIMO_10.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Kathy Shorr’s splashy portraits inside limousines
The Ride of a Lifetime — Wanting to marry a love of cars and photography, Kathy Shorr worked as a limousine driver in the ’80s to use as a studio on wheels. Her new photobook explores her archive.
Written by: Miss Rosen
![Lewd tales of live sex shows in ’80s Times Square](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/AL-GOLDSTEIN.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Lewd tales of live sex shows in ’80s Times Square
Peep Man — Before its LED-beaming modern refresh, the Manhattan plaza was a hotbed for seedy transgression. A new memoir revisits its red light district heyday.
Written by: Miss Rosen
![In a world of noise, IC3PEAK are finding radicality in the quiet](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/IC3PEAK-head.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
In a world of noise, IC3PEAK are finding radicality in the quiet
Coming Home — Having once been held up as a symbol of Russian youth activism and rebellion, the experimental duo are now living in exile. Their latest album explores their new reality.
Written by: Isaac Muk
![Are we steamrolling towards the apocalypse?](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/Huck_Newsletter_January_Collage_V1-1.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Are we steamrolling towards the apocalypse?
One second closer to midnight — While the rolling news cycle, intensifying climate crisis and rapidly advancing technology can make it feel as if the end days are upon us, newsletter columnist Emma Garland remembers that things have always been terrible, and that is a natural part of human life.
Written by: Emma Garland
![In a city of rapid gentrification, one south London estate stands firm](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/Central-Hil-banner.jpg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
In a city of rapid gentrification, one south London estate stands firm
A Portrait of Central Hill — Social housing is under threat across the British capital. But residents of the Central Hill estate in Crystal Palace are determined to save their homes, and their community.
Written by: Alex King
![Analogue Appreciation: Maria Teriaeva’s five pieces that remind her of home](https://images.huckmag.com/tco/images/Huck/6_photo-by-Jenia-Filatova.jpeg?w=1920&q=75&auto=compress&format=jpg)
Analogue Appreciation: Maria Teriaeva’s five pieces that remind her of home
From Sayan to Savoie — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. First up, the Siberian-born, Paris-based composer and synthesist.
Written by: Maria Teriaeva