I: Feature Story: "The Horns of the Rhino!"

Pages: 20

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: John Romita
Inks: Mike Esposito (credited as Mickey Demeo)
Letters: Sam Rosen

First Appearance: Rhino, Mr. Kraft

Villain: Rhino

Guest Appearance: Anna Watson, Aunt May, Mr. Kraft, J. Jonah Jameson, John Jameson, Betty Brant, Ned Leeds, Gwen Stacy Norman Osborn, Flash Thompson

Synopsis: Aunt May and Anna Watson are having tea when Anna suggests May should save some money and move in with her. She loves the idea but worries how it will affect Peter. At the same time, her nephew is buying himself a motorcycle. He calls J. Jonah Jameson for a credit reference and JJJ figures that with Peter in debt, he'll be motivated to bring in a lot more news photos.

Jameson's son John is visiting Jonah and they engage in a conversation about how why Jonah has always hated Spider-Man. After all, says John, Spider-Man saved him from that runaway space capsule (see ASM #1). Jonah is convinced that Spider-Man sabotaged the capsule for publicity; "that rotten no-good masked menace" robbed John of his fame and glory, his reasoning goes. John declares that he's put it behind him, especially since he has more important things on his mind. He tells his dad about his last mission into deep space, when mysterious space spores got inside the capsule. Since then he's been under constant observation by government scientists, keeping a close watch on his health. He is also under armed guard escort, in case a hostile foreign power tries to kidnap him to research him after his confrontation with the spores.

At the Mexican border, a massive man called the Rhino arrives on the scene and charges through a concrete blockhouse. He ignores the astonished guards and continues stomping northward.

Back in the city, Peter runs into Betty Brant. They are very pleased to see each other and go out for a cup of coffee, but run out of conversation before too long. An awkward silence settles in until Ned Leeds shows up. Betty brightens and Peter excuses himself, realizing that now that their relationship is officially over, it's apparent that they never had enough in common, and Ned seems to be the right guy for her at the moment.

The news is playing on a television in an electronics shop, and Peter sees the Rhino for the first time in news reports discussing his Mexican border-break. He notices J. Jonah Jameson and his son on the curb outside, but when he tries to approach he is stopped by armed guards. They escort John, who gets into his limousine and drives off. JJJ is obviously upset but he orders Peter to go get pictures of the Rhino.

Aunt May is waiting for Peter when he gets home. Once again, he's just missed Mary Jane Watson. May wants to tell him about Mrs. Watson's offer, but stops the conversation short, fearing she can't go through with such a thing as long as her nephew needs her tender care. Peter goes upstairs to study but can't get his mind off Aunt May, Betty, his motorcycle, John Jameson, and the Rhino - all the problems that seem unique to Spider-Man!

In a railroad yard at the edge of the city, two guards investigate a box car they sense is inhabited by a hobo. Suddenly, the Rhino busts out! Peter hears the news on the radio and is in his costume in a flash.

The Rhino smashes into John Jameson's hotel suite and kidnaps him from under Jonah's nose. Spider-Man follows the sirens and Jonah's shouts. He swings over the street and drops on the giant costumed menace. Rhino drops John Jameson and hits Spidey so hard that he's stunned, making a perfect target for goring. The Rhino charges, as if a bull heading towards a dazed matador, but Spidey dodges the Rhino's many charges (though phone booths and lampposts pay the ultimate price!) Spidey's mightiest blows do little to deter the Rhino but his webbing slows him down. In fact, Spidey thinks the Rhino may beginning to tire. He puts Rhino in a headlock and drives his skull down hard into the pavement. The Rhino staggers to his feet and immediately collapses, finally succumbed to exhaustion.

Jonah arrives and demands Spider-Man's arrest. John tries reasoning with his father, telling him that Spider-Man saved him from being kidnapped and handed over to a hostile world power by the Rhino. An ambulance pulls up to take the Rhino away but the doctors can't get his rhino suit off.

Spidey takes off kicking himself - he forgot to set up his automatic camera! If only he had gotten good Rhino snaps, the extra money could have helped pay for his new motorcycle.

He takes the new bike to school the next day. Gwen is surprised and a little disappointed to think of Peter as a "biker". With Betty behind him, Peter falls hard for Gwen, and does some heavy flirting with her for the first time. Peter gets home and Aunt May tells him that there will be no more excuses: Sunday night has been scheduled for a dinner at Anna Watson's house, where he will finally meet Mary Jane. Peter sighs, just sure it's going to be a nightmarish blind date. "Let's just get this over with," he says to himself....

--synopsis by Jonathan Clarke, aka doesitmatter, and Gormuu

Issues Reprinted
Amazing Spider-Man #41-50, Annual #3

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.