Ad produced by:
Burger King
This ad cleverly uses a two-panel comic style to tell a hilarious story without uttering a single word. The first panel shows a dormant volcano with the simple exclamation "OH," creating a sense of calm curiosity. In the second panel, the volcano dramatically erupts, accompanied by a much more enthusiastic "OOOOOOOHHHH," effectively ramping up the excitement.
The eruption stands as a metaphor for Burger King's signature flame-grilled burgers, suggesting that just like a fiery volcanic explosion, the flame grilling method brings an intense, irresistible burst of flavor. The transformation from a quiet volcano to a blazing one mirrors how bland food becomes epic with a touch of flame.
The humor lies in the element of surprise. The first frame’s simplicity sets you up for a serene scene, and then – boom – the sudden eruption catches you off guard, much like how the intense taste of a flame-grilled burger can surprise and delight your taste buds.
Using the imagery of a volcanic eruption is a bold, unforgettable way to emphasize the intense heat and fiery cooking method Burger King is famous for. It's a fun, larger-than-life comparison that makes the ad not just funny but also powerfully visual.
Finally, the ad ties it all together with the tagline, “Always Better with Fire,” and the reassurance that these are “Only Flame Grilled Burgers.” The fire element is turned up to eleven, making it clear that Burger King believes the only way to achieve burger nirvana is through flames.
So, why is this ad funny? It’s a witty visual joke that uses surprise, metaphor, and dramatic imagery to make a playful yet powerful statement about the superiority of flame-grilled burgers. It turns a volcanic eruption into a mouth-watering promise, leaving you chuckling—and very possibly craving a burger.