Cardiac (character)

Cardiac (Elias Wirtham) is a fictional character, appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Cardiac
Cardiac as depicted in The Superior Spider-Man #8 (April 2013). Art by Humberto Ramos.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	As Elias Wirtham: The Amazing Spider-Man #342 (December 1990) As Cardiac: The Amazing Spider-Man #344 (February 1991)
Created by	David Michelinie (writer) Erik Larsen (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Elias Wirtham
Species	Human cyborg
Team affiliations	Parker Industries H.E.A.R.T. Clinic
Abilities	Accomplished physician and surgeon Superhuman strength, speed, stamina and durability Accelerated healing factor Wields a pulse staff, and rides a beta-propelled stingray hang-glider Channels beta particles via the neural web of his vibranium-mesh skin

Publication history

Created by writer David Michelinie and penciller Erik Larsen, he first appeared as Elias Wirtham in The Amazing Spider-Man #342 (December 1990)^[1] and as Cardiac in The Amazing Spider-Man #344 (February 1991).^[2][3]

Fictional character biography

Cover of The Amazing Spider-Man #344 (February, 1991), Cardiac's first appearance. Art by Erik Larsen and Randy Emberlin.

Elias Wirtham is a physician and surgeon, and the owner and administrator of a biological research firm. He is driven to research life-saving medicine by his brother Joshua's death from an rare condition. He later discovers Joshua's death could have been prevented: a company had found a cure for his condition, but did not distribute the medicine due to it not being "profitable". Motivated to battle corporate greed, Elias replaces his heart with a beta-particle reactor which supplies energy through a vibranium weave mesh under his skin.^[4] This energy, channeled through his muscles, increases his physical abilities and can be fired through his fists or the power staff he wields. He adopts the moniker "Cardiac" in reference to the source of his power.^[5]

Fighting resumes

Cardiac becomes a vigilante, believing himself an instrument of justice. He first encounters Spider-Man while raiding Sapridyne Chemicals, a company owned by Justin Hammer which possesses chemicals vital for the production of cocaine. Hammer hires the Rhino to kill Cardiac for raiding his company, but Cardiac defeats him.^[6]

Cardiac returns periodically to perform his version of justice. He will kill criminals, but he is often bothered by his conscience as a result.^[7]

Working with Superior Spider-Man

Elias Wirtham opens the Hospital for Emergency Aid and Recuperative Therapy (H.E.A.R.T.) in the former site of Mister Negative's homeless shelter F.E.A.S.T.^[4] He comes into conflict with the Superior Spider-Man while attempting to treat Amy, a girl who has severe brain damage. However, Spider-Man learns of Cardiac's motivations and agrees to help him cure Amy.^{[8][9][10][11][12]}

Powers and abilities

Cardiac's heart has been surgically replaced with a compact beta-particle reactor, which grants Cardiac power. He can channel beta particles through the neural web of his vibranium-mesh skin into his muscles thereby endowing him with superhuman strength and regeneration, and enhanced speed, agility, reflexes and endurance, and he can channel these particles through external objects (such as his pulse staff and hang glider). He wields a pulse staff which fires concussive force bolts in a distinctive pulse-like energy signature, and rides a beta-propelled hang-glider, which were both invented by Wirtham and his associates.^[3][6] His vibranium-mesh skin is also able to block several bullet shots before the beta-particle energy is depleted.^[8]

Elias Wirtham's business administrative skills provide him a strong power base with a number of connections to various enterprises. He has also earned an M.D. degree and is an accomplished physician and surgeon.^[1]