It's official, Marvel fans: Rhino has become an official symbiote host, and an honorary ideal host for Venom.

In Death of the Venomverse #2 by Cullen Bunn and Gerardo Sandoval, Carnage is continuing his dark quest across the multiverse, killing Venoms and stealing their powers. In this issue, Carnage cuts through an entire squad of Venoms known as the Symbiote Six, leaving only the Rhino-Venom alive after Carnage makese his escape - which is something the villain may pay dearly for.

While Rhino-Venom’s strength hasn’t been tested to its fullest extent beyond what he already accomplished in this issue, fans know what the original Rhino is capable of after his fight with Iron Man and his many conflicts with the Hulk.

Rhino is Stronger Than Most Marvel Fans Give Him Credit For

When a mind-controlled Rhino attacked Iron Man on behalf of Emma Frost in Invincible Iron Man #6, Tony Stark compares the hit Rhino delivered to those he’s experienced from the Hulk - and fans don’t have to take Tony’s word for it, either. On more than a few occasions, including in the Holiday-themed issue of Incredible Hulk #378, Rhino and Hulk have gone toe-to-toe, with some of their fights (this one included) ending in a stalemate.

While Rhino isn’t strong enough to actually beat the Hulk in battle, it’s been proven many times throughout Marvel Comics that his strength is at least comparable, which in and of itself is incredibly impressive. And now, that raw strength is at Venom’s disposal during a conflict that could decide the fate of the entire multiverse.

Venom-Rhino Could Be A Major Part of Killing Carnage (For Good)

Throughout Carnage’s multiversal murder-mission, a police force (of sorts) consisting of Venom variants has been hunting him, as they fear what he will do with all this power he’s collecting. After Rhino’s squad is murdered, he s them, and immediately makes himself an asset during their very next interaction with Carnage. When Carnage went to a universe where Venom is immune to sonic sound - with the goal of killing them and stealing that ability - Rhino impaled Carnage on his horn and out-muscled him with his Hulk-level strength, saving the life of the Venom Carnage was after, and thereby prolonging Carnage one-remaining vulnerability.

Given the fact that symbiotes enhance the strength of those it possesses, this Rhino is exponentially stronger with the Venom symbiote, making his already impressive strength even more comparable to the Hulk. And all of Rhino’s strength is now at Venom’s disposal, as he continues his mission to stop Carnage before the villain’s twisted mission reaches its gruesome end.

Death of the Venomverse #2 by Marvel Comics is available now.