I: Feature Story: "Rhino on the Rampage!"

Pages: 20

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: John Romita
Inks: John Romita
Letters: Sam Rosen

First Appearance: NYPD Officer Joe

Villain: Rhino

Origin: Rhino

Guest Appearance: J. Jonah Jameson, Ned Leeds, Betty Brant, Frederick Foswell, Mary Jane Watson, Anna Watson, Aunt May, NYPD Officer Joe, John Jameson, Dr. Curtis Connors, Gwen Stacy, Flash Thompson, Harry Osborn

Cameo Appearance: Matt Murdock, Foggy Nelson, Karen Page

Marvel Milestones: Ned Leeds and Betty Brant get engaged

Synopsis: The Rhino busts out of jail again! Held captive in a penitentiary clinic, he wakes from sedation and plows through the police guards and brick walls, ready to get revenge on Spider-Man.

At the Daily Bugle, Betty Brant shows Frederick Foswell the engagement ring Ned Leeds has given her. J. Jonah Jameson couldn't care less, not while the Rhino is on the loose, and he bellows demands that somebody go out and get him the story on the villain. Meanwhile, at the "blind date dinner" at Anna Watson's home, Peter can't get over Mary Jane. She's fun, outgoing, beautiful, and the complete opposite of what Peter expected. She also seems to take to him right away, regaling him with her relentless hipster slang. When Peter sees the Rhino on the news, it's Mary Jane that suggests going after him to catch a glimpse. Sensing he's got a girl of adventure, they shoot over the bridge to Manhattan on Peter's motorcycle.

At the law offices of Nelson & Murdock, Foggy Nelson blames himself for the Rhino's escape. Matt Murdock comforts him, but secretly wishes he could chase down the Rhino as Daredevil.

The Rhino is smashing his way through the city, trying to bring Spidey out in the open for a rumble. It is then that he reflects on his origin: he "was a nobody - just a hired hood - a muscle-man," one that was engaged in low-down schemes at the command of international spies. These spies saw the potential in his strength and loyalty in his stupidity and subjected him to medical tests. They gave him a second skin as hard as a Rhino. But the operation unexpectedly expanded his intellect, and once the Rhino became more powerful than his superiors, he cast them aside and went into business for himself.

As the Rhino continues his raging rampage, the street is cordoned off to keep people away from the action. Peter tells Mary Jane he needs to get closer to take pictures for the Bugle, which she thinks is just super-groovy. Peter heads into the shadows to change into Spider-Man. He sets up the camera and swings into action!

The Rhino hits Spidey with an enormous uppercut and dazes him. Spidey has just enough sense to get out of the way of his charge. He grabs an empty barrel and stuffs it over Rhino's head. Rhino busts out of the barrel, through a wall and into a hail of bullets from the police. They simply bounce of his super-tough hide.

As Mary Jane cheers the action on, Spider-Man grabs Rhino by the horn and drives him out into the street. But Spidey's not agile enough to evade the Rhino's next charge. The wind is knocked out of Spider-Man and he can't get out of the way of a runaway truck. A cop named Joe risks his life to run out in the street and drag him to safety as Rhino demolishes the truck. Rhino charges through another building and escapes.

After thanking the cop who saved him and reminding the assembled crowd that the city cops are the real heroes in New York, Spidey catches up with his camera and changes back to Peter Parker. He finds a piece of Rhino's hide on the street and it gives him an inspiration on how to defeat the Rhino. Mary Jane is happily waiting for him and he drops her off at her home before stopping by the Bugle with the pictures.

J. Jonah Jameson is thrilled with Foswell's report and Peter's snapshots. He especially loves the fact that Spider-Man was saved by an average cop. "It proves that web-slingin' weasel isn't half as good as he's cracked up to be!", bellows the Bugle chief. He calls John Jameson's hospital room to check on his son, while Peter suspects the Rhino may try to kidnap the astronaut again.

Spider-Man swings by Dr. Curt Connors' lab and drops off the sample of Rhino's hide. They work together late into the night and come to a solution. There's no time to test it so Spider-Man rushes off to the hospital just as the Rhino bursts into John's room! Spidey crashes through the window and smothers the Rhino in webbing. Rhino smashes through the wall and falls onto the street. Spider-Man climbs down to meet him but doesn't have to fight much. The webbing is mixed with Dr. Connors' solution and begins to eat away at his rhino hide. Once the hide has disintegrated, Spider-Man takes him out with a single haymaker. While J. Jonah Jameson complains about Spidey to all who will listen, his son John gives the web-slinger a thankful wink.

On the way home, Peter runs into Flash, Gwen and Harry. Flash has just received his draft notice but still finds time to insult Peter. Peter notices Gwen doesn't stick up for him and is glad he's now got Mary Jane to think about. He gets home and finds Aunt May doesn't have the money to refill her prescription, then decides to spend the following day finding a solution to the problem. Mary Jane's not concerned that he can't meet her the next day, but Peter can always find a reason to worry.

--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.