Rhino (character)

The Rhino (Aleksei Sytsevich; English: AH-LEK-SEE SET-SEH-VICH; Russian: Алексей Сицевич) is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He was created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita Sr., and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #41 (Oct. 1966).[1] The character is a Russian thug who gained an artificial skin covering that grants him superhuman strength, through an experimental procedure. Rebelling against the scientists responsible for his transformation, the Rhino used his new powers to become a successful criminal, and soon clashed with the superheroes Spider-Man and the Hulk. The character is typically portrayed as a dimwitted brute, who unleashes chaos wherever he goes, but can be easily deceived and, thus, defeated.

Rhino
The Rhino, art by Khari Evans
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceThe Amazing Spider-Man #41 (October 1966)
Created byStan Lee
John Romita Sr.
In-story information
Alter egoAleksei Mikhailovich Sytsevich
Alex O'Hirn (Ultimate Marvel)
Place of originRussia
Team affiliationsSinister Six
Sinister Syndicate
Secret Defenders
Klaw's Army
Legion Accursed
Emissaries of Evil
S.H.I.E.L.D.
Savage Six
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength, speed, stamina and durability
  • Rhino armor grants:
    • High-level resistance to damage and extreme temperatures
    • Razor-sharp horns
    • Ability to enhance his superhuman physical attributes

One of Spider-Man's most prominent adversaries, the Rhino has been adapted into various forms of media since his debut during the Silver Age of Comic Books, including animated television series and video games. He has also been featured in Marvel merchandise such as action figures and trading cards. Paul Giamatti played a version of Aleksei Systevich who uses rhinoceros-themed battle armor, similarly to the character's Ultimate Marvel incarnation, in the 2014 film The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Publication history

Described by writer Mike Conroy as "famously one of Spider-Man's dimmest villains",[2] the character debuted in The Amazing Spider-Man #41–43 (Oct.–Dec. 1966) as a thug for hire working for an Eastern Bloc country.[3] He volunteers to participate in an experiment that bonds a super-strong polymer to his skin and also augments his strength and speed. The Rhino returned in The Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #104 (June 1968), and although he apparently dies at the end of the story, the character was revived in The Incredible Hulk (vol. 2) #124 (Feb. 1970), becoming a perennial opponent for both Spider-Man and the Hulk.

The character achieved significant exposure in the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in both a solo capacity and as a villain for hire in over 12 titles. Significant appearances included starring in the limited series Deadly Foes of Spider-Man #1–4 (May–Aug. 1991); the "Flowers for Rhino" storyline in Spider-Man's Tangled Web #5–6 (Oct.–Nov. 2001), which is told from the character's perspective; and Punisher War Journal (vol. 2) #13–15 (Jan.–March 2008), in which the Rhino begins to rethink his lifestyle.

Fictional character biography

Aleksei Sytsevich was a thug who worked for Eastern Bloc scientists. The scientists subjected him to a process that gave him an artificial skin covering, which granted him superhuman strength.[4][5] After being empowered, Aleksei Sytsevich rebels against the agents who gave him his powers and destroys their laboratory. He is subsequently hired to kidnap Colonel John Jameson in order to obtain extraterrestrial spores to which Jameson has been exposed during a space mission. Jameson is rescued and the Rhino defeated by the superhero Spider-Man. The Rhino is imprisoned and kept there with sedation, but soon breaks out and continues to try to kidnap Jameson. Spider-Man uses a web-imbued with a chemical developed by Curt Connors to melt off his Rhino suit and then knocks him unconscious.[6]

After serving his entire prison term, the Rhino is approached by the same scientists, who bombard him with gamma radiation (exposure to which granted the character the Hulk his super-powers) to increase the Rhino's strength. The scientists also equip him with a more durable, acid-proof suit that "complements" the gamma ray procedure, granting the Rhino even more strength while he wears it. The Rhino agrees to find and kidnap Bruce Banner (the Hulk's human alter-ego) for his knowledge of gamma radiation; the Rhino then trains to fight the Hulk. However, the Rhino finds himself hopelessly overpowered in the ensuing battle, as the Hulk shrugs off his strongest blows, pummels him to the brink of death, and leaves him in a coma.[7]

The character is brought out of his coma by the Leader months later. The Leader plans to interrupt Banner's wedding to Betty Ross, using a ray to transform him into the Hulk and make him kill Ross; he revived the Rhino to protect him from the Hulk's inevitable desire for revenge. However, the Rhino betrays the Leader by attacking Banner the moment he transforms. The Rhino is still unable to harm the seemingly invulnerable Hulk, and he turns on the Leader after the Leader accidentally shoots him. The Rhino is caught in the explosion of the Leader's escape module and again left in a coma.[8]The Leader, who was paralyzed after a previous encounter with the Hulk, finds and takes mental control of the still-comatose body of the Rhino and attacks the Hulk. The battle eventually leads to an alien world, where the Leader abandons control of the Rhino and flees. Bruce and an unconscious-but-now-recovered Rhino travel back to Earth via a rocket.[9]

The Rhino reappears with the Abomination, and the pair activate a gamma bomb at Hulkbuster Base in an attempt to destroy the Hulk. Jim Wilson deactivates the bomb, and the Hulk tricks the villains during combat, forcing them to collide and knock each other unconscious.[10]The Rhino reappears as a member of the supervillain team the Emissaries of Evil II (consisting also of Egghead, Solarr and the Cobalt Man), in search of a rare jewel.[11] Opposed by the superhero team the Defenders, the Rhino and Solarr initially hold their own until defeated by Doctor Strange, who has been possessed by the jewel and become the Red Rajah.[12] While in hiding, the Rhino is found and outwitted by scientist Doc Samson and is eventually defeated.[13]

The Rhino battles Doc Samson and Spider-Man.[14]The Rhino teams up with Moonstone; Blackout and Electro in an unsuccessful attempt to escape the research complex Project: Pegasus.[15]The Rhino also battles Fantastic Four member the Thing during an attempt to remove his Rhino suit.[16]

The Rhino joins the criminal group the Sinister Syndicate to battle Spider-Man.[17]The Rhino also battles Iron Man in the city of Los Angeles.[18]The Rhino and accomplice Blacklash, in the employ of criminal mastermind Justin Hammer, also hunt and capture fellow villain the Scorpion, who has absconded with advanced weaponry.[19]

The Rhino teams with other villains in two unsuccessful attempts to kill Spider-Man.[20][21] The Rhino receives an intelligence boost via surgery and becomes a genius, eventually undergoing surgery again to reverse the process when life becomes dull.[22]

The Rhino is defeated by a diminutive Deadpool (courtesy of the Pym Particles);[23]The Rhino appears during the Civil War storyline, where he assists the Chameleon in attacking Spider-Man.[24]

When the Rhino robs a bank and a security guard is accidentally killed, he is humiliated by the Punisher and saved by Spider-Man before being killed. The Rhino is then captured by Alyosha Kravinoff (the son of Kraven the Hunter). Kravinoff, who is collecting a zoo of animal-themed superhumans, is defeated by the Punisher, with a despondent Rhino and other villains being freed. Feeling remorse from the accidental killing, the Rhino sends a letter and money to the security guard's widow.[25]The Rhino decides to make amends and repay the Punisher for the previous rescue by aiding him on a case. At the conclusion of the story, the Rhino is allowed to leave and is told to "be good",[26] eventually returning to aid the vigilante.[27]The Rhino later persuades the Punisher to not kill Michael Watts, the third Stilt-Man.[28]

During The Gauntlet storyline, the Rhino decides to give up his life of crime entirely. He surrenders to the police and pleads guilty to all charges against him. S.H.I.E.L.D. removes his Rhino suit, and he is sentenced to 25 years in Ryker's Island. The Russian Mafia and other criminal gangs try to recruit him, but he denies them, even going so far as to completely avoid a breakout at one point. For his good behavior and cooperation, he is released early on parole. Upon release, he is met by Doctor Tramma, who wants to re-invent the Rhino. The Rhino, however, declines Doctor Tramma's offer and tries to begin a new life, dating (and eventually marrying) a waitress and residing in a small apartment in Yonkers. Doctor Tramma eventually uses someone else to create a new and improved Rhino. The Rhino feels he needs to face and kill the new Rhino to get rid of him, but Spider-Man convinces him to promise otherwise and helps the Rhino keep his new life by defeating the new Rhino.[29] The new Rhino attacks Sytsevich at one of J. Jonah Jameson's press meetings. Feeling he could not break his promise to Spider-Man, Sytsevich lies to the new Rhino, telling him he will agree to fight him in his suit, but he instead goes into hiding with his wife Oksana. Before they arrive at their safehouse, the new Rhino attacks again, and Oksana dies as a result. Sytsevich re-dons his old Rhino suit and attacks the new Rhino. With one hit, the Rhino completely destroys the new Rhino's suit. Spider-Man begs Sytsevich to stop, but the now-grief-stricken Rhino disregards him and kills the new Rhino.[30]

The Rhino is invited by Doctor Octopus to join his supervillain team, where he becomes involved in securing some specific items for him. He shows up after Spider-Man makes the Freak collide with the Vulture. Spider-Man talks him down from a fight.[31]The Rhino is later seen as a member of Doctor Octopus' Sinister Six.[32]

During the Ends of the Earth storyline, the Rhino is among the Sinister Six when Spider-Man and the Avengers engage them on the Mediterranean coasts. The Rhino defeats Thor after Thor sends Electro into the atmosphere.[33]The Rhino is seen guarding one of Doctor Octopus' facilities in Korea. He fights Spider-Man, the Black Widow and Silver Sable and is defeated by Spider-Man's electrical webbing.[34]The Rhino reveals he wanted to watch the world burn, stating that the loss of his wife had changed him, and that he is prepared to die. When Doctor Octopus self-destructs his own lair, the Rhino pins Silver Sable to the floor in a flooding corridor, telling Spider-Man he will remain there, taking Silver Sable with him to death. Knowing Spider-Man will blame himself for his fellow hero's death, the Rhino sees it as an opportunity for revenge. The Rhino and Silver Sable are apparently drowned, despite Spider-Man's defeating Doctor Octopus.[35]

While in Doctor Octopus' dying body, Spider-Man meets him and Oksana in the afterlife during a post-mortem experience.[36]

As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel event as part of the lead-up to the Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy storyline, the Rhino resurfaces months later, having survived his apparent demise. He has remained in hiding in Tahuexco, Guatemala. A mysterious red-suited man approaches the Rhino and persuades him to do the red-suited man's bidding. Although the Rhino was not up to it at first, he takes up the red-suited man's offer when he has a somehow-revived Oksana by his side.[37] The red-suited man later has the Rhino spring the Lizard and a de-powered Electro from Andry Corrections Facility.[38] It is revealed that the revived Oksana is a clone that the red-suited man had gathered to grow clones with false memories that span all the way to their deaths. The Rhino and the Francine Frye version of Electro assist New U Technologies' security force into stopping Spider-Man only to be defeated.[39] When the Jackal's police contact Chief Anderson tells him about where the clone of Gwen Stacy is, the Jackal sends the Rhino and Electro to Horizon University. When they retrieve the Gwen Stacy clone, she tells them to bring Kaine due to his encounter with the Carrion Virus, which might help in the Jackal's research. Anna Marie Marconi persuades them to bring her along too, since she also studied Kaine and the drug. Both villains agree to the terms.[40] When Doctor Octopus pulls a switch which activates the Carrion Virus in all of the clones and causes them to start rapidly decaying, including Oksana.[41]The Rhino was devastated when Oksana turned to dust.[42]The Rhino goes on a rampage after losing Oksana in New U Technologies, but Spider-Man manages to calm him down by convincing him to move forward with his life for Oksana's sake. The two of them agree to see each other once in a while to help the other with their pain.[43]

In a prelude to the "Hunted" storyline, the Rhino is among the animal-themed characters captured by the Taskmaster and the Black Ant on Kraven the Hunter's behalf. He is among those who Arcade publicly reveals as the Savage Six.[44]

During the "King in Black" storyline, Rhino is among the villains recruited by Mayor Wilson Fisk to be part of his Thunderbolts at the time of Knull's invasion. Following the deaths of Ampere and Snakehead, Taskmaster couldn't bring himself to prevent Rhino from walking away.[45]

Powers and abilities

Mutagenic chemical and radiation treatments, including gamma ray bombardment, provides the Rhino with superhuman strength, heightened levels of speed and stamina and a high degree of durability. The Rhino's superhuman speed allows him to run and/or exercise at high velocities, especially over short distances. He frequently "charges" his opponents in this manner, enabling him to cause great harm to most enemies and the surrounding area. The Rhino is notorious, however, for his lack of agility and slow reaction time. This makes it nearly impossible for him to change direction when running at such high speeds and also occasionly causes him to miss his target and collide with the wrong object.

The Rhino's enhanced musculature is much more efficient than that of a normal human and generates considerably less fatigue toxins during physical activity. At his peak, he can exert himself physically for up to 24 hours before the build up of fatigue toxins in his blood starts to impair him.

The Rhino has some experience in hand-to-hand combat, though he is generally much more of a brawler. Even so, his extreme levels of strength, stamina and resistance to injury make him a formidable opponent, regardless of a foe's superior fighting skills.

The Rhino possesses a thick polymer mat suit that resembles the physique of a rhinoceros and covers his entire body except for his face. The suit is highly resistant to damage and extreme temperatures, and it is also equipped with two horns, designed to mimic the general shape and function of actual rhinoceros horns, capable of penetrating two-inch plate steel. His first suit, more crude in overall design, was originally bonded to his skin, and he was unable to remove it. This suit was eventually destroyed and a second, removable suit, more form-fitting in its design, was created by Justin Hammer. This suit was given to the Rhino after he underwent additional gamma ray treatments that further heightened his powers. The new suit was also designed to enhance some of his powers, using the gamma ray treatments. Without the suit, the Rhino still possesses great superhuman strength and is highly resistant to conventional physical injury, such as most high-caliber bullets, extreme temperatures and impact forces. While wearing the suit, his strength is slightly increased, while his durability is enhanced to a much more significant degree. The suit also allows him to withstand most high-caliber bullets, exposure to temperature extremes of cold and heat without the suit cracking or melting or his own bodily tissues suffering damage, falls from great heights, light anti-tank weaponry, explosive concussions and potent acids without sustaining injury.

Other characters named Rhino

Doctor Tramma's Rhino

When Aleksei Sytsevich declines Doctor Tramma's offer to be upgraded, Doctor Tramma finds another subject and equips him with a high-tech rhino suit that was supposed to be given to Aleksei Sytsevich. The second Rhino comes after Aleksei, feeling that he had to destroy the original Rhino if he was going to ascend. Spider-Man defeats the second Rhino, who then escapes.[29]

While lifting a makeshift dumbbell made out of a pole and two trucks, the second Rhino is called up by a mysterious person telling him where he can find Aleksei. Rhino attacks Aleksei at one of J. Jonah Jameson's press meetings. Aleksei lies to the second Rhino, agreeing to fight him in his Rhino suit, but instead going into hiding with Oksana. However, before they arrive at their safehouse, the second Rhino attacks again and Oksana dies as a result. Aleksei dons his old Rhino suit, totals the new Rhino's suit as his suit was stronger, and kills the unnamed wearer.[30]

Other versions

Age of Apocalypse

In the alternate reality seen in the Age of Apocalypse storyline, the Rhino was one of Death's soldiers on the Moon at Apocalypse's recovery base the Ship. Death captured superhumans and brought them to the Ship and used the Terrigen Mist to turn them into warped powerful monsters for him to control. The Rhino was one of the superhumans that were captured. He joined Death and other of his henchmen and fought Magneto and the X-Men on the moon. He ends up fighting Rogue, but is defeated easily by one punch.[46]

Earth-Charnel

The Rhino was seen as a member of the Avengers who travelled through time to stop Charnel, an entity that had been ravaging his future-Earth for decades. He had been partnered with the She-Hulk for 20 years. He was killed in action.[47]

JLA/Avengers

The Rhino is among the villains enthralled by Krona in the third issue of the four-issue miniseries JLA/Avengers to defend his stronghold. He is shown defeating Triathlon.[48]

House of M

In the alternate reality seen in the House of M storyline, the Rhino is the bodyguard of Peter Parker. When Parker sends the Rhino to question Crusher Hogan, wrestling under the alias "the Green Goblin", the Rhino injures Hogan, hospitalizing him. Now in hiding from the authorities, the Rhino is approached by the Green Goblin looking for aid in defeating Parker. The Rhino betrays the Green Goblin, enlisting his friends Electro, the Ox and the Vulture to attack the Green Goblin, unmasking him to reveal Peter Parker.[49]

Marvel Zombies

The Rhino was among the zombified villains that attempted to devour Galactus and joined the undead Sinister Six. When the other zombies were done eating Galactus, Zombie Hulk and Zombie Spider-Man tore off the Rhino's head and body and both ate it, also both stating that it did not taste good.[50]

MC2

The Rhino appeared within the MC2 Universe in the pages of Mr. and Mrs. Spider-Man. Whilst visiting the hospital with his sick aunt, the Rhino briefly loses his temper, as he is told to fill in his forms in order for his aunt to receive her meds, before calming down. Waiting in line, he once again comes face to face with Peter Parker, who is with his own family. Remembering that he once threatened Peter under the orders of Harry Osborn, the Rhino assures Peter what he did was simply business, and the two call a truce. They spend the remainder of Peter's visit exchanging stories of their lifestyle choices, and part with a better understanding of each other.[51]

Ultimate Marvel

The Ultimate Marvel version of the Rhino is Alex O'Hirn, a scientist who uses a suit of armor known as R.H.I.N.O. (Robotism Heuristic Intelligence Navigable Operative) that he stole from the U.S. military.[52] Using the R.H.I.N.O. armor's incredible strength, he robbed a Manhattan bank, charging the vault head-first and destroying it. He then rampaged through a busy street to make his escape, destroying anything in his path, including police cars, with ease. The original Spider-Man tries to escape school in order to confront him, but is stopped by various incidents. Iron Man arrives, stops the R.H.I.N.O.'s assault and captures him by the time Spider-Man catches up. The R.H.I.N.O. was then taken into military custody.[53]The R.H.I.N.O. was later seen being soundly defeated by Spider-Man.[54] During the "Divided We Fall" storyline, the R.H.I.N.O. faces off against Captain America and the U.S. Army. The new Spider-Man uses his venom blasts to create a shortcut into the R.H.I.N.O. armor and defeat him.[55]

Spider-Verse

In the Spider-Verse storyline, the Earth-001 version of the Rhino appears as a member of Verna's Hounds. He accompanied Verna and the Earth-001 version of the Scorpion to Earth-21205 to hunt the Hobgoblin (who was the identity of this world's Peter Parker). The Rhino, Verna, and the Scorpion were stopped by the Spider-Woman of Earth-65.[56] He later helps Verna and the Earth-001 versions of Hammerhead and the Ox attack the Spider-Totems on Earth-8847.[57] He is killed by the Superior Spider-Man, the Assassin Spider-Man, and Spider Punk.

Marvel Mangaverse

The Rhino was part of the Kishi Kuri clan.[58] The Rhino was present when Venom usurped the Kingpin.The Rhino was seen battling the Shadow Clan.

Spider-Gwen

On Earth-65, Aleksei Sytsevich is a mercenary who was hired by the Kingpin and Matt Murdock to kill George Stacy. Though he does not appear as the Rhino, Aleksei is depicted as large, having gray skin, and sporting blue hair. He was stopped by Spider-Woman. Officer Frank Castle later interrogated him on who ordered the hit on George Stacy. Castle beats the information out of Aleksei that the Kingpin was the one who ordered the hit.[59]

Old Man Logan

In Old Man Logan's future where the villains rose to power, the Rhino left Manhattan and formed the Rhino Gang, where they managed to conquer Arizona and New Mexico while killing anyone that opposes them on the way. When it comes to a Cheyenne reservation in South Dakota, the Rhino and the Rhino Gang met resistance in the form of Forge and his high-tech defenses that annihilated the Rhino Gang. While riding on an exo-skeleton, Forge managed to kill the Rhino by beating him to death.[60]

Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows

During the "Secret Wars" storyline in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows, the Rhino works as an enforcer of the Regent where he, Boomerang, and the Shocker beat up Demolition Man for protesting against the Regent's rules.[61]The Regent later recruits Boomerang, the Beetle, and the Rhino to fill in the membership gaps in the Sinister Six following the deaths of Doctor Octopus and the Hobgoblin and the Vulture being incapacitated. He and the Sinister Six attack S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secret base after the Regent probed the Sandman's mind.[62]

In other media

Television
  • The Rhino made two appearances in season one of the 1967 Spider-Man animated series, voiced by Ed McNamara. In the episode "Horn of the Rhino", he steals military equipment in an attempt to make an explosive weapon, framing Spider-Man for the theft in the process. The hero later deduces that the Rhino is hiding in a zoo's rhinoceros enclosure and defeats him. In the episode "The Golden Rhino", the Rhino steals a shipment of gold to make a gold statue of himself, which he succeeds in doing before he is captured by Spider-Man. He also appears in a self-titled season three compilation episode.
  • The Rhino was a recurring villain in 1994's Spider-Man: The Animated Series, voiced by Don Stark. While his origin is not detailed in the series, this version still retains his comics counterpart's abilities, though he is portrayed as unintelligent. Debuting in the episode "The Alien Costume" Pt. 1, the Rhino is hired by the Kingpin to steal a mineral from John Jameson's space shuttle after it crash-landed on Earth. The Kingpin later sends the Rhino to obtain another item, during which he fights and is defeated by the black-suited Spider-Man. In "The Alien Costume" Pt. 3, Spider-Man, having gotten rid of the black suit, encounters the Rhino and fights him again. The latter defeats the former with the Shocker's help, but both are incapacitated by Venom. In the episodes "The Insidious Six" and "Battle of the Insidious Six", the Rhino appears as a member of the titular team after the Kingpin breaks him and five other supervillains out of prison to kill Spider-Man, though he eventually defeats the group. In the five-part episode "Six Forgotten Warriors", the Rhino joins a reassembled Insidious Six to help the Kingpin steal the Red Skull's doomsday device. After being defeated, the Rhino and most of the Insidious Six flee.
  • The Rhino appears in The Spectacular Spider-Man animated series, voiced by Clancy Brown.[63] Originally a common thug under Tombstone, Alex O'Hirn was partnered with Flint Marko and had repeated run-ins with Spider-Man. In "The Invisible Hand", Tombstone has O'Hirn used as a guinea pig in Norman Osborn's illegal experiments to prevent Spider-Man from interfering in his business. As a result, O'Hirn was infused with Dr. Otto Octavius's titanium resin armor and christens himself the Rhino. Although he proves to be a physically powerful foe, the armor obstructs his pores, forcing the Rhino to periodically stop and re-hydrate, which Spider-Man utilizes to defeat him. In "Group Therapy", the Rhino is broken out of prison alongside five other supervillains and forms the Sinister Six with them to seek revenge against Spider-Man, but the web-slinger is able to defeat the group using his black suit. In "Reinforcement", the Rhino reappears as part of a reassembled Sinister Six. Though he is defeated by Spider-Man once again, the Rhino escapes before the police can arrest him. In "Accomplices", the Rhino attempts to destroy specs that could create mass-produced Rhino soldiers. He briefly teams up with Spider-Man to successfully do so before betraying him, though he is defeated and arrested. In "Opening Night", having been imprisoned in the Vault, the Rhino and his fellow inmates are all released by the Green Goblin to hunt down Spider-Man while he was there to test the prison's maximum security cells. However, they are eventually subdued by gas released by Walter Hardy and re-incarcerated.
  • The Rhino appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series, initially voiced by Max Mittelman and later by Daryl Sabara.[63] While this version is based on Alex O'Hirn, he differs from his Ultimate Marvel counterpart in that he is a highly intelligent teenager who transforms into a less intelligent anthropomorphic rhinoceros instead of wearing battle armor. Introduced in his self-titled episode, Alex attempts to seek revenge against his bully Flash Thompson by drinking a rhinoceros DNA serum that he stole from Oscorp. He is eventually defeated by Spider-Man and Power Man, and arrested by S.H.I.E.L.D. In "The Sinister Six", the Rhino appears as a member of the titular team, agreeing to help Doctor Octopus kill Spider-Man in exchange for more Rhino formula. In "Return of the Sinister Six", Doctor Octopus provides the Rhino with tank-like armor so he can serve as a member of the Sinister Six once again until they are defeated by Spider-Man and his fellow S.H.I.E.L.D. trainees. In "Rampaging Rhino", having lost the ability to revert to his human form, the Rhino escapes S.H.I.E.L.D. custody to renew his vendetta against Thompson, who had since become Agent Venom, though the Rhino ultimately surrenders and allows himself to be recaptured. Following this, Spider-Man persuades him to join the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy and learn to use his powers for good. The Rhino makes minor appearances in subsequent episodes until "Lizards", when he betrays Spider-Man and helps Doctor Octopus kidnap Agent Venom, leading the others to believe the Rhino is a spy. In "Double Agent Venom", it is revealed that the Rhino agreed to work for Doctor Octopus again in exchange for regaining his human form, but he eventually sides with Spider-Man's team again and helps them rescue Agent Venom before Doctor Octopus places the Rhino under mind control. In "The New Sinister 6" Pt. 1, the brainwashed Rhino appears as a member of a HYDRA-backed Sinister Six and takes part in the team's attack on the Triskelion. Before being defeated, he is able to briefly free himself from the mind control and warn Spider-Man that someone else on his team is the real spy. In the two-part series finale "Graduation Day", the mind-controlled Rhino was forced to join the Superior Sinister Six until Spider-Man reverts him to his human form, which frees him from Doctor Octopus's control. After the Superior Sinister Six are defeated, Alex rejoins S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy.
  • The Rhino appears in the 2010s Spider-Man animated series, voiced by Matthew Mercer (primarily) and Ben Pronsky (in "Dead Man's Party").[63][64] This version of Aleksei Sytsevich is a student at Horizon High from Russia while his Rhino form has actual rhinoceroses' weaknesses, such as poor eyesight. Debuting in the episode "A Day in the Life", Aleksei is secretly injected with Rhino serum by Raymond Warren. In "Party Animals", the serum turns Aleksei into the Rhino, who rampages through Horizon High until Spider-Man subdues him and eventually restores him to his human form. In "The Rise of Doc Ock" Pts. 3 and 4, Aleksei is turned into the Rhino again by the Jackal, who gives him the additional ability to turn other people into Rhino-like monsters. He rampages through Osborn Academy until Spider-Man subdues him once more. Later, Doctor Octopus places the Rhino under mind control to make him join the Sinister Five until the two-part episode "The Hobgoblin", during which Spider-Man and Harry Osborn as the eponymous alias free him. The Rhino later goes on a rampage through the city until Spider-Man and the Hobgoblin defeat and capture him. In "Spider-Man Unmasked", Swarm injects Aleksei and two others with the Rhino formula and turns them all into Rhinos until they are subdued and later cured off-screen by the Spider Team.

Film

Video games
  • The Rhino's first video game appearance was in the 1989 game Spider-Man and Captain America in Doctor Doom's Revenge.
  • The Rhino appears as a boss in The Amazing Spider-Man for the Game Boy.
  • The Rhino appears in Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade's Revenge, joining forces with Carnage to defeat Spider-Man.
  • The Rhino appears as a boss in The Incredible Hulk for the SNES, Sega Genesis, SMS, and Sega Game Gear.
  • The Rhino appears as a mini-boss in the 1995 Spider-Man video game based on the 1990s animated series for the SNES and Sega Genesis.
  • The Rhino appears as a boss in the 2000 Spider-Man game, voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.[63] He is hired by Doctor Octopus to attack a power plant owned by Omni-Tech as a distraction while he steals a device. The Rhino fights Spider-Man and the Black Cat, wounding the latter before Spider-Man defeats him and sees him arrested.
  • The Rhino appears as a boss in the Game Boy Advance game Spider-Man: Mysterio's Menace.
  • The Rhino appears as a boss across all versions of the Spider-Man 2 video game, voiced by John DiMaggio.[63] This iteration of the Rhino has spikes on his costume and claws.
    • In the Treyarch version, Spider-Man fights the Rhino after he steals a chemical weapon and easily defeats him before leaving him for the police.
    • In the PC version, the Rhino escapes from a maximum security prison during a riot, but is defeated by Spider-Man. Later, Doctor Octopus retrieves the Rhino and has him battle Spider-Man again while he steals a device from Oscorp, though the web-slinger is able to defeat him once more.
    • In the PSP version of the game, the Rhino breaks the Shocker out of prison before they are both hired by Doctor Octopus to steal a piece of equipment for him. After Spider-Man learns the Rhino and the Shocker are at the docks, he goes there to defeat them and leave them for the police.
  • The Ultimate Marvel version of the R.H.I.N.O. appears as a boss in the 2005 Ultimate Spider-Man video game, voiced by Bob Glouberman. While rampaging through Queens, Alex O'Hirn is confronted by Spider-Man, who defeats him by exploiting a weak spot on the R.H.I.N.O. armor's back before leaving O'Hirn for the police.
  • The Rhino appears as a mini-boss in the video game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, voiced by Peter Lurie. This version is a member of Doctor Doom's Masters of Evil and is initially assigned to work with the Shocker and Arcade before later being tasked with guarding a defeated Heimdall. The Rhino also appears in the Thing's simulation disk at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Omega Base.
  • The Rhino appears as a boss in the Spider-Man 3 video game, voiced by Steven Blum.[63] This version of the character has a condition that causes his skin to resemble an actual rhinoceros and wears a helmet resembling that of his traditional costume. After being released from a police van by a mind-controlled Scorpion, the Rhino is hired by Dr. Farley Stillwell to become her bodyguard. He fights Spider-Man and the Scorpion when they arrive to confront her, and is defeated by the former.
  • The Rhino appears as a playable character and boss in Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, with John DiMaggio reprising the role.[63] He appears as one of several villains who Mysterio captured and placed under mind control before sending him to Tangaroa Island to retrieve a meteor shard. After Spider-Man defeats him and destroys his mind-control device, the Rhino joins forces with him to exact revenge on Mysterio.
  • The Rhino appears in Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, voiced by Fred Tatasciore.[63] Imprisoned in Ryker's Island, Rhino is recruited by Spider-Man to break out the Tinkerer. Upon doing so, Spider-Man is presented with the choice of tricking the Rhino into returning to his cell or releasing him as well. Regardless of the choice made, the Rhino becomes an assist character. In the PS2 and PSP versions, the Rhino serves as a boss. In these versions, he is hired to guard Spencer Smythe and A.I.M.'s underground lab before Spider-Man battles and defeats the Rhino on his way out of the lab.
  • The Rhino appears as a boss in Ultimate Spider-Man: Total Mayhem. While this game takes place in the Ultimate Marvel universe, this Rhino is shown to be less intelligent than his Ultimate Marvel incarnation.
  • The Rhino appears as an exclusive character in the Nintendo DS version of Spider-Man: Edge of Time, voiced again by Fred Tatasciore.[63] In the game's story, the Rhino takes Anti-Venom's place as the one who was inadvertently fused with Alchemax scientist Walker Sloan and Doctor Octopus to become the monstrous Atrocity (also voiced by Tatasciore).
  • The Rhino appears as a boss in The Amazing Spider-Man video game, with Fred Tatasciore reprising the role.[71] This version of the character is a hybrid of a man and a rhinoceros created by a corrupt Oscorp scientist using gene-splicing technology so it could be sold to a Russian crime syndicate as a living weapon.[72] Alongside the other cross-species created by Oscorp using Dr. Curt Connors' old research however, the Rhino escapes and terrorizes New York's citizens before Spider-Man eventually finds and defeats it; leaving it for the authorities. The Rhino later appears in a side mission, wherein it attacks the city's water treatment facility and is defeated by Spider-Man once again. The Rhino is also featured as a playable character in the Rhino Challenge DLC pack.
  • The Rhino appears as a boss in Marvel Heroes, voiced by Benjamin Diskin.[63]
  • The Rhino appears as a playable character and boss in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, voiced by Robin Atkin Downes.[73] In the game's story, Captain America, Storm, and the Thing fight the Rhino and Mystique posing as Magneto in the Savage Land while trying to stop Asteroid M's launch.
  • The Rhino appears as a boss in the mobile version of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 video game, voiced again by Robin Atkin Downes. Aleksei Sytsevich first appears as a small-time criminal who is defeated by Spider-Man early on in the story and arrested by the police. Near the end of the game, he is broken out of prison and dons rhinoceros-themed armor. The Rhino attacks Spider-Man and the Black Cat at the docks, but is ultimately defeated by the former and returned to police custody. The Rhino armor from the film also appears as an Easter egg in the other versions of the game.
  • The Rhino appears as a boss in the mobile game Marvel: Avengers Alliance 2.[74]
  • The Rhino appears as a playable character and boss in Marvel: Future Fight.
  • The Rhino appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.[75]
  • The Rhino appears in Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man series,[76] voiced once again by Fred Tatasciore.[63] This version is a former enforcer for the Russian Mafia whose powers come from an experimental, irremovable rhinoceros-themed combat suit that increases his strength. Within the games' continuity, Spider-Man has been a superhero for eight years and is well-familiar with the Rhino, having fought him several times in the past.
    • In the 2018 game Marvel's Spider-Man, the Rhino is imprisoned at the maximum security supervillain prison, the Raft, though he eventually escapes when Otto Octavius stages a prison break, and agrees to join his liberator's supervillain team in exchange for removing his armor. After the team overpowers Spider-Man, they split up to attack different Oscorp properties, with the Rhino being sent to the docks to waylay relief supplies amidst the "Devil's Breath Incident". Spider-Man eventually arrives to defeat him and the Scorpion, who had joined forces with the Rhino. After turning the villains against each other, Spider-Man locks them inside a shipping container just as the police arrive to take them back into custody.
    • In the 2020 follow-up Spider-Man: Miles Morales, set one year later, the Rhino is among the first inmates to be re-imprisoned at the rebuilt Raft, only to escape during the prison transfer and wreak havoc in Harlem until both the original and new Spider-Man intervene and defeat him. Following this, the Rhino is ostensibly held by the Roxxon Energy Corporation until the police can re-incarcerate him. However, the company secretly recruits the Rhino as hired muscle and outfits him with new electricity-proof armor to help him against the new Spider-Man's venom powers. The Rhino later assists Roxxon in capturing the new Spider-Man and the Tinkerer, and fights them again after they escape. He is defeated, but taunts the latter over Rick Mason's death, enraging the Tinkerer to the point of almost killing the Rhino before Spider-Man intervenes.

Novels

The Rhino appears in Jim Butcher's novel Spider-Man: The Darkest Hours, in which he and Spider-Man are forced to ally against Morlun's family. Along the way, the two foes gain a deeper respect for one another.

Theatre

The Rhino appears in the Marvel Universe Live! stage show.[77]

Toys and collectibles

References
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