Warning : I should probably warn you that though I have kept most of the hard pictures out of this post, the Comic I'm about to talk about contains some adult material some may not appreciate.
During my review of the comics I have that prove to be inspirationnal for my hobby, I managed to completely miss one of the most evocative : RANX
I have no idea how I overlook that one but trust me, if a comic defines the 80's aesthetic and culture, it's that one (IMHO, YVMV...).
Ranx is an Italian-french comic whic was published in the early 80's in Italia and later in Heavy Metal. The graphic style is recognisable amongst thousands thanks to Liberatore's use of Pentone pens and his style employs many of the codes of his time.
The most fascinating bit about this comic is that it takes place in the late 80's/early 90's but many elements of the universe are clearly futuristic. The first one is obviously the fact that the hero, Ranx, ia an android built with the parts of a Rank Xerox copier but his technology seems to be quite advanced as he can hack sound systems, record TV shows for his girlfriend and things of the sort.
Like many comics of its time, the world of Ranx is a parody of the world in which it was written. Like you would expect in 2000AD publications like Judge Dredd or others or what you can find in the Incal and most of the Jodoverse, you can find all the features of our modern world exagerated to the extreme. Violence is ever present, sex is everywhere, drugs and rock and roll probably being the lesser evil of all in all that mix.
So easy to charge your batteries up when you're an android... |
The universe bears all the aspects of a perfect cyberpunk setting.
One of the many aspects that may seem uncomfortable with this comic is that the hero who seems to be built like a full grown man (the pictures leave no doubt about it) dates a 12 years old girl who just behaves as an adult. Scenes of them both taking drugs (she's on cocaine while he shoots himself with PVA glue) are not uncommon and the passions scenes are just as awkward. Thing is, even the very small children form gangs in this universe and one of the most feared gang leaders is a vicious 3 year old girl. A sort of way to sow how violence, sex and drugs were coming sooner and sooner in kid's life... (and remember that this was written in the early 80's).
3 year old Gang leader about to meet her dealer with her fellow gangers aged from 12 to 14... |
As I said, look at the date below and you'll see the scene takes place in 1988 when the picture could easily lead you to believe it takes place 50 years after that...
Those like me who are huge Frank Zappa fans will surely have noted that Ranx bears a striking resemblance with Frank on the cover of "The man from Utopia" (1983) :
Oh and just in case you were wondering :
The answer's YES :
As the story moves on, the poor android gets more and more trouble from his girlfriend and while a technical error in his programm automatically sets him into berserk mode, the very same bug makes him desperately in love with the girl and unable to harm her even if most of his limited soul wants otherwise...
The futuristic side is a little more visible in later tomes as Ranx is being rebuilt and as you can follow the adventures of the president who needs to change bodies because of a disease he caught (something you can find in Jodorovski's Incal too).
Probably one of the best part and also one of the most frightening too is that on many occasions you can see how the distorted and exagerated vision of the 80's is still under our modern reality. You get that with the fatties in Judge Dredd and the gainers in modern society who do all they can just to gain weight (not muscle) and many other concepts (people living in ever driving flats because there's no place left anywhere else). On many aspects, their satyrical vision of violence and human cynism is spot on and it's funny to see even some details are completely dwarfed by our own world :
So here we are, I know this comic is not easy to find in English and I sincerely hope a new edition will let those of you who can't read italian or french enjoy this treasure of a comic.
For me it has all I can ask of an 80's based cyberpunk world, you'll probably understand why I feel the need to populate the grimdark places of the 40k universe with hookers and drunks now...
The image of Ranx is one that I have seen before, but only in articles about comics, such as this one.
ReplyDeleteThe art looks interesting. Maybe I could attempt to brush up in my French by picking up a copy? The continental comics that you mentioned here do seem to share a lot of common attitude to the 2000AD things that I prioritised growing up, although picking up a variety of comics was tough back then.
Interesting stuff, thanks JB.
Well we've had the same experience really only in reverse. I wish mor eof the 2000AD stuff had come here (I can only remember Slaine, JD and ABD warriors back then).
DeleteJust as JD, this one might be a little tricky to fully apprehends as it's full of cultural references and a peculiar language but as always it's always a choice between missing some parts yourself or missing them because the translator missed them...
I seem to recall seeing something like Ranx pictured on a front cover of "C & VG". He was pictured front on, holding a girl to his chest, with his hand planted firmly on her arse crack.
ReplyDeleteI know it's an awfully vague description, but his face looks very familiar. I remember being a little shocked when I first saw it as a teen. I'd never seen such sexually overt comic art before then.
The artwork you've posted looks great JB. I really like the style.
Cheers :)
Maybe that was this one :
Deletehttp://www.thebalde.net/revista_articulo_imagenes/20106175621ranx02.jpg
It is true for the young teen I was , seeing massive erect penises and people taking drugs was sort of weird but it felt like some sort of Sci-fi setting so that as just imaginary to me !
Nope, that's not it.
DeleteThe girl was pressed up against his chest. She had a mini skirt on. I think it was his distinctive nose that I remember most. Looked almost like a flat pig nose....kinda :)
I might try and find it if I can. But I may only have it as a hard copy?
Thanks JB.
Based on the description, I guess this is the one: http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/bezva/ranx3.jpg ;)
DeleteLooks like we have a true fan here ! Cheers !
DeleteSpot on Wakoun!
DeleteI don't know why that image in particular stuck in my mind, but I'm a little relieved that all of my drinking that l partook of in my youth hasn't completely fried all of my memories.....yet :D
It's a pretty cool illustration isn't it.
While I enjoyed the few times I read this comic, I cannot be considered a true fan ;)
DeleteI guess my google-luck is to blame here, it was the first image to appear as I typed "Ranx" :D
No small talent in my book !
DeleteI've hab plenty opportuinities to read the Ranx adventures but never did. While I like the graphic style, the muted color tones never attracted me. Yet your review incites me to have a look at my local library :)
ReplyDeleteThe very dated 80's look has a strong appeal for me but apart from tht, it's the very free tone of this piece that I ike the most. Have a try at the first tome and you'll see ;)
DeleteI sure will :) Thanks for your advice
DeleteObviously some great art in there... I will have to see if it can be sourced in English, as sadly I have no French or Italian.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth a read but you have to consider cultural differences too, maybe that's why it wasn't broadly distributed outside...
DeleteAnd you topped it off with a picture of Lady Gaga. Brilliant. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I read Ranx again a couple of weeks again I found very funny to see he had thought about that some 30 years ago.
DeleteI had a look at a few pages back in the day, but never fully read it, it was partially published in other publications. It was re-edited in Spanish again some time ago, I believe it musn't be difficult getting a copy. I may give it a chance, thanks for the review!!
ReplyDeleteI won't say to try is to love it because it is a bit special but I really like it and the atmosphere that it conveys.
Delete