Spider-Man Just Gave Us A Villain Friendship I Didn’t See Coming – And I Hope Marvel Gives Us More

Warning: Spoilers for The Amazing Spider-Man #55!I can’t believe that two Spider-Man villains turned out to be friendship goals for me. It’s already rare enough to see bad guys form friendships, as I brought up in an old article I wrote about one particular Gotham friendship. WIth exceptions, most villains make uneasy alliances to stop the hero, but two conniving schemers can’t be genuine with each other.

And yet, Rhino and Screwball instantly become my favorite supervillain friendship in the Marvel Universe, as of The Amazing Spider-Man #55 by Zeb Wells, Emilio Laiso, Bryan Valenza, and VC’s Joe Caramagna. I’m pretty sure that Screwball and Rhino have never so much as shared a panel together before this issue, but it takes no time before it’s evident that their chemistry is so fun.

On top of just being a fun watch, their dynamic subverts expectations in a way that I desperately – and I do mean desperately – need to see more of.

Screwball and Rhino Become Marvel’s Most Unexpected Friendship

The Amazing Spider-Man #55 by Zeb Wells, Emilio Laiso, Bryan Valenza, and VC’s Joe Caramagna

While on a date with Shay, someone whom he may actually end up loving more than crime-fighting (or Mary Jane), Peter Parker’s evening is interrupted by a rampaging Rhino and Screwball. In classic Peter fashion, he escapes to confront the duo, but rather than fight as Spider-Man, he urges them to just calm down for one night while he’s on a date. Since she’s closer to Peter’s age, Screwball immediately sympathizes with Peter because she, too, is on the apps.

Rhino has no idea what they’re talking about, so naturally, Screwball decides to educate her new friend, right up until the final panel where she helps Rhino create his first dating profile. On top of being outright hilarious, it’s just downright adorable to witness. I think it’s the character dynamic that works, too. It’s hard not to love the hyperactive, bubbly character working alongside the older, more serious, stoic brute. The creative team gets the most out of this dynamic in this issue, and the best part is that I still think there’s more in the tank here.

We Need More Screwball and Rhino

Maybe Even a Comic? Lord Willin’?

The best part about this dynamic is how it subverts the expectations of supervillain team-ups. This isn’t an uneasy alliance or a collaboration to fight Spider-Man. It’s two people who seem to enjoy each other’s company enough to try to collaborate on making a dating profile. If that ain’t real friendship, I don’t know what is. I am obsessed with how beautifully and quickly this friendship blossomed. I don’t care if it’s in some solo spinoff or another Spider-Man comic, but I need more of Rhino and Screwball on-panel together.