Starting off on a slower note, we find Aunt May
chatting with her friend Anna Watson, when Anna suggests that since Peter is in
college now, that May sell the house and move in with her! Aunt May is
reluctant however, still fretful about Peter, being his own family. Meanwhile,
Peter Parker has his eyes set on buying a motorcycle and calls J. Jonah Jameson to
vouch for his loan. Jameson agrees, knowing that Peter will have to sell him
even more photos if he’s in debt. John Jameson, Jonah’s astronaut son, is visiting
and asks what his father has against Spider-Man. John then recounts the
sequence from all the way back in ASM #1 when Spider-Man saved him by attaching
a new guidance system to the space craft he was in. This just gets Jonah more
riled up, claiming that Spider-Man robbed John of his glory and that people
need to be reminded of the menace Spider-Man truly is. John tries switching
gears and tells Jonah the real reasoning he’s visiting, namely that on his most
recent trip to space, that he may have gotten infected with some mysterious
space spores, and that he’s being constantly guarded against foreign powers
that may want to study him because of it!
Speaking of one such power, our scene changes to a
southern border of the U.S. where a large, lumbering man called the Rhino is
making his way across. The border patrol find their bullets ineffective as the
Rhino charges right through the blockade as he continues on to his target! Back
with Peter, he’s daydreaming about his new motorcycle when he suddenly runs
into Betty Brant! They greet each other and grab a coffee together but both
find the entire situation awkward, with nothing to talk about. Peter can’t
believe that after all of their history together that things are so strained
and weird between them now; that anything they had before is truly gone.
Ned Leeds then appears as well and Peter takes the opportunity to excuse himself,
in order to end the awkward scene for everyone. Just then, Peter sees news
footage of the Rhino making his way to New York, as Peter realizes that he’ll
probably have to tussle with him if he does make there.
Peter then spots the two Jamesons and goes over to
thank Jonah for his loan voucher, noting the federal agents that are watching
John. Peter makes his way home where Aunt May is wrapped up in her thoughts
about Anna Watson’s proposal. Peter then gets to studying with a million
different thoughts racing through his mind. Not long after, the Rhino makes it
to New York, which Peter is alerted to by a news bulletin, as he goes out to
stop him as Spider-Man. Rhino arrives at the hotel John Jameson is staying at,
smashing through the door and grabbing him. Spidey quickly catches up to them
and leaps on the Rhino, but gets swatted off, surprised by how fast he is.
Spidey avoids the Rhino’s attacks and finds his own punches ineffective, only
managing to lightly stun him.
Spidey tries to keep Rhino’s attention on him while
the police riot squad make their way there. Spidey taunts Rhino and tries
webbing him up, noting that Rhino’s attacks are getting slower, proving that
he’s getting tired. After dodging more attacks, with the Rhino tired and off
balance, Spidey flips his legs around the Rhino’s neck, slamming his face into
the ground, and ending the battle with style! With John Jameson okay, Spidey
leaves him and the unconscious Rhino for the police, while John tries to prove
to his father that Spider-Man saved him. Spidey, meanwhile, realizes that he
forgot to get any photos of the encounter! The next day, Peter is finally
taking his new motorcycle for a spin as he runs into Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn,
and Flash Thompson. Gwen and Peter talk about Peter’s new bike as both of them
realize how attracted they are to each other. Peter rides home where he shows
off his motorcycle to Aunt May and Anna Watson. Anna soon leaves and Aunt May
reminds Peter that they’re going over to Anna’s place soon so that Peter can
meet Anna’s niece, Mary Jane! Peter isn’t looking forward to the encounter but
decides that he should get it over with, and he’ll be glad he did!