RanXerox is a science fiction graphic novel series by Stefano Tamburini and Tanino Liberatore, two Italian artists who had worked on such magazines as Cannibale and Frigidaire. Conceived as a bizarre antihero, RanXerox was a mechanical creature made from Xerox photocopier parts.
At first (1978, in Italian, in Cannibale) the name was “Rank Xerox“, identical to that of a joint venture between the Xerox Corporation of the U.S. and the Rank Organisation of the U.K., the latter of which manufactures and markets Xerox equipment in Europe. Due to a threatened lawsuit by Rank Xerox for using their trademarked name, Tamburini changed it to “RanXerox” (1980, also in Italian, in Frigidaire). The name “Ranx” has also been used in some cases.
The first time RanXerox was published in English was in the July 1983 issue ofHeavy Metal. Many more issues of Heavy Metal, as well as novels followed, featuring RanXerox (such as “RanXerox in America”). The artist uses Pantone pens to create his unique style of art.
Richard Corben said about the character:
| “ | RanXerox is a punk, futuristic Frankenstein monster, and with the under-aged Lubna, they are a bizarre Beauty and the Beast. This artist and writer team have turned a dark mirror to the depths of our Id and we see reflected the base part of ourselves that would take what it wants with no compromise, no apology – and woe to the person who would cross us. But it is all done with a black, wry, satirical sense of humor. | ” |
Tanino Liberatore also created the artwork for the Frank Zappa album The Man from Utopia; the image of Zappa on the cover bears a strong resemblance to RanXerox.
