RanXerox

Lore & Background

Ranxerox was conceived as a bizarre antihero by Stefano Tamburini and Tanino Liberatore, two Italian comics creators who had worked on magazines such as Cannibale and Frigidaire. The character first appeared in 1978 in Cannibale under the name 'Rank Xerox', identical to a joint venture between Xerox Corporation and The Rank Organisation. Due to a threatened lawsuit by Rank Xerox for using their trademarked name, Tamburini changed it to 'RanXerox/Ranxerox' in 1980 in Frigidaire; the name 'Ranx' has also been used in some cases.

The first English publication of Ranxerox was in the April 1983 issue of Heavy Metal, followed by many more issues and novels such as Ranxerox in America. Artist Tanino Liberatore used Pantone pens for his unique art style. Richard Corben described the character as 'a punk, futuristic Frankenstein monster' who, with the under-aged Lubna, forms a bizarre Beauty and the Beast pairing, done with a black, wry, satirical sense of humor.

Reader's Guide

Ranxerox holds significance as a distinctive Italian contribution to science fiction comics, notable for its origins in the underground magazine scene of Cannibale and Frigidaire. The character's design—a mechanical creature assembled from Xerox photocopier parts—reflects a satirical, punk-infused commentary on technology and consumer culture. The legal dispute over the original name 'Rank Xerox' underscores the intersection of corporate trademarks and creative expression. Liberatore's use of Pantone pens contributed to a visually unique style that influenced the series' recognition. The character's appearance on the cover of Frank Zappa's album The Man from Utopia, where the image of Zappa bears a strong resemblance to Ranxerox, further cemented its cultural reach. The 1990 video game Ranx: The Video Game, released by Ubisoft for MS-DOS, Amiga, and Atari ST, extended the property into interactive media. Richard Corben's commentary frames Ranxerox as a dark mirror reflecting base human impulses, executed with satirical humor. The series remains a notable example of European comics' ability to blend grotesque antiheroes with social critique.

Did You Know?

• The character was originally named 'Rank Xerox', identical to a joint venture between Xerox Corporation and The Rank Organisation.
• The name was changed to RanXerox/Ranxerox in 1980 due to a threatened lawsuit by Rank Xerox.
• Artist Tanino Liberatore used Pantone pens for his unique art style.
• Liberatore also created the artwork for the Frank Zappa album The Man from Utopia, with the cover image bearing a strong resemblance to Ranxerox.