Nah, they're definitely not a joke. I got one in a bomb about a year and a half ago and smoked it without knowing the price or who made it, and I enjoyed the hell out it. I guessed $6-10, and when I found out they're more like $2 I was a little blown away.
IMHO, they're the best value priced smoke out there, at least of what I've had. Does it beat my favorites out? Nope, but I'll be buying my 2nd box soon and I do smoke them for enjoyment, not even as a knock-around-when-I'm-working kinda cigar. They definitely hit my taste buds right for a medium-ish smoke, and I'm always happy when I think about the cost.