Review by Robert Tacopina

“Rage of the Rhino”

Writer: Joe Kelly
Artist: Max Fiumara
Colorist: Fabio D’Auria
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover: Paolo Rivera
Assistant Editor: Tom Brennan
Editor: Stephen Wacker
Executive Editor: Tom Brevoort
Executive Producer: Alan Fine
Published by Marvel Comics

The Gauntlet rages on and with this latest offering we are treated to the reemergence of one of Spidey’s greatest villains, the Rhino. While there have been hits and misses so far in the over encompassing story arc I have found this issue to possibly be the best so far. “Rage of the Rhino” accomplishes this by mixing in different elements in the right quantity which results in a fluid and engaging story.

We see the original Rhino, Aleksei Systevich, after he was released from Ryker’s and meets a lady at a diner. Eventually the two fall in love and Rhino is walking the straight and narrow path. Along the way he is tested countless times but his resolve will not waver. Even as he is faced with a new Rhino, courtesy of the mysterious villainess Dr. Trama, who wants the “skin” of the original Rhino the predecessor maintains his composure.

Of course Spider-Man does play a part in this book as well and in various situations. We see Peter mingle with Michele who is desperately pining away for Pete and you actually do sympathize with her. Ben Urich offers Peter a job at Frontline to be his photographer as the paper has now gone national. Norah hijacks Peter out to a casino to cover a story and that is where the fun begins. Aleksei is actually working as a guard at the casino which sets off Peter’s spider-sense. The new Rhino appears and demands that Aleksei fight him for his skin and almost gets him to agree but Spider-Man appeals to Aleksei and when his wife shows up he backs down.

I loved this issue and think writer Joe Kelly nailed it perfectly and convincingly. Having Aleksei going straight and finding love was a brilliant plot and worked very organically. The interaction with Peter and Norah was fun but strange. Something tells me that things with Norah are not all what they appear to be.  I initially had this thought that she was secretly Dr. Trama but I don’t think that will be the case. She does seem to have a thing for Peter and even goes as far as telling him that she is available to him despite the fact that she is dating Randy Robertson.

A fun issue with action and drama all rolled up into a oversized issue that features a Rhino back-up (with Javier Pulido on art and Matt Hollingsworth providing colors) which reiterates the story above by fleshing it out and going into further details of the Rhino specifically post Civil War. Writing and art on both tales was great and I really dig the work of artist Max Fiumara. His pencils are fun and compliment the story while adding to it. Just a great read front to back.

Overall Rating: 8 out of 10 (On Its Way To Greatness)