Spider-man's Tangled Web #6

The last issue ended with the Rhino, after being spurned by his newest infatuation - a mob boss's daughter named Stella - undergoing a treatment to enhance his brain power.

Brains and brawn you say?  All in one package?  What could happen?

Well, in short, Rhino wins Stella back, breaks out some of his buddies, and goes on a crime spree.  And is surprisingly successful!

He goes on to live a life of wealth, culture and luxury - and eventually all the things that brought him joy (Stella, the theatre, poetry...weird to think of the Rhino reading Yeats or Elliot) have lost their luster...the world, it seems to the Rhino, is now an extremely boring place.

Stella, claiming the passion of their relationship has faded, leaves the Rhino, and he sets up a meeting with his long time enemy, Spider-man.  The Rhino revels to Spider-man that he's discovered Peter's secret.  Cut to the Brooklyn Bridge, where a revelation occurs.

He needs to be dumb again.  So, he goes back to the Doctor, has the operation reversed and by the end of the book, he's happily running through walls again.

This is a great little two part story about a villain who is mainly used as a punching bag for either Spider-man or the Hulk.  The art is a bit odd - it treads a line that is at times very realistic and at times very stylized.  But it can't quite seem to make up its mind.  I'll admit, a very cartoony portrayal of these events would not have worked, as the subject matter necessitates a more true to life feel.   It really shows the potential Rhino has...but on the other hand, just how unhappy that potential can make us.  Is ignorance really bliss?  Are we better off being dumb and joyous or smart and miserable?

But - hey - it's just a comic book...they can't possibly illicit these kinds of deep questions, right?

Until next time - happy reading.

Credits:

Peter Milligan - Writer
Duncan Ferredo - Art