Amazing Spider-Man #41
The Horns of the Rhino!
Peter Parker is buying a new motorcycle and calls J. Jonah Jameson for a credit reference and he approves knowing he’ll get cheaper pictures.
John Jameson is visiting and even though Jonah goes on a tangent about Spider-Man, John expresses his appreciation for Spider-Man since he saved him in the out of control space capsule. John tells his dad that he’s been cleared by NASA recently. After his last spacewalk, space spores attached to him and NASA believes they may help the USA in the space race. NASA has assigned him bodyguards to prevent kidnapping from competing countries.
At that moment, a giant man in a rhinoceros costume is charging across the Mexican border with bullets ricocheting off, clobbering through anything in his way. Meanwhile, Pete runs into Betty Brant who has just returned to town. As they talk, they fumble for words and realize their feelings for each other are gone. Pete excuses himself and he sees footage of Rhino.
When Rhino reaches New York, Spider-Man goes to find him. He arrives at John Jameson’s hotel suite to find John kidnapped by Rhino. Spider-Man confronts Rhino and learns he’s kidnapped John in order to sell him to the highest bidder and deliver secrets known to him about his space missions. Spider-Man begins to fight him but realizes he can’t fight Rhino head-on as he keeps charging and could easily destroy him. Spider-Man trips and flips Rhino onto his head knocking him unconscious for the police to arrest him.
The next day, Pete is going to school on his bike, Gwen Stacy notices his new ride and mentions it. As he tells her she’s got a lot to learn about him, they both really notice each other for the first time. Pete comes home and is reminded that he’ll be meeting Anna Watson’s niece, Mary Jane soon and to not miss dinner with the Watsons.
Recurring Characters
Spider-Man, J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant, Ned Leeds, Rhino, Anna Watson, John Jameson, Flash Thompson, Harry Osborn
Continuity Notes
John Jameson mentions how Spider-Man saved his life "a few years ago". This is a reference of Amazing Spider-Man #1. Saying those events happened a "few years ago" should be considered a topical reference, as per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616 the passage of time between that event and this issue is roughly one year. Likewise, all of the Cold War and Space Race references should be considered topical as well.
Peter discovers that Betty has returned since she left town in Amazing Spider-Man #34. She and Ned Leeds go off to talk about his marriage proposal made in Amazing Spider-Man #30.
