Are the funny pictures (comics) published on Facebook, depicting public figures or cartoon characters, or presenting a situation or public issue for the purpose of laughter, considered unlawful (haram)?

Hand-drawn images of living beings are prohibited, but they are permissible if a part essential for life is removed. As for photographic images, contemporary scholars have differed regarding their ruling, and the most correct view is that they are permissible as long as they do not contain any religiously prohibited elements, such as mockery or promoting evil.