The first classic Marvel Super Villain to be unveiled for Beenox’s upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man is Rhino, who has been newly re-imagined specifically for the game.
Rhino is part rhinoceros, part human, “driven by animalistic impulses and feelings of fear and sadness,” according to the developer. “He’s extremely unpredictable.” He has no mission; his only goal is to survive after escaping Oscorp, and has been rampaging the streets of New York in “sheer frustration” ever since. His new look is “inspired by the tone of the [upcoming] movie.” Though, it’s worth noting that he won’t actually appear in the movie, and is exclusive to the game.
A trailer for Rhino can be seen below. A set of screenshots, artwork, and comics can be seen at the gallery. View his full bio below the clip.
Rhino Character Bio
At first glance, Rhino seems like nothing more than an angry, mindless cross of rhinoceros and human DNA, bent on mowing over anything or anyone stupid enough to stand in his way. His mere appearance is known to scare many into believing that Rhino and all cross-species are abominations that must be destroyed. Yet, the few who have looked into his eyes (and survived) have reported their surprise in sensing a degree of humanity there. Almost a sadness.
Unlike all of the other cross-species, which were created after Curt Connors terrorized the city as the Lizard, Rhino was the result of a pet project belonging to a corrupt Oscorp executive with access to Connors’ research. Abusing this access, he applied this top-secret knowledge to black-market dealings.
Without the knowledge or consent of his superiors at Oscorp, the executive forcefully enlisted the help of Dr. Michael Morbius, threatening to end the reclusive biochemist’s career if he refused to help. Morbius reluctantly complied, applying the rhinoceros DNA with which the executive supplied him to a cross-species serum similar in nature to Connors’ own for the Lizard.
The next step was to test the serum, and the executive’s underworld clients were all too happy to provide his oblivious human test subject: a low-level thug named Aleksei Sytsevich. If it worked, the mafia would have a new weapon on its hands; if not…no great loss.
After an excruciatingly painful transformation, Sytsevich was now a hybrid of man and rhinoceros, ready to tear apart anything in his path – the executive’s clients would be pleased. That is, if they are ever to receive their investment…
