Cardiac (comics)

Cardiac
Cardiac with the Superior Spider-Man. Art by Humberto Ramos
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	As Elias Wirtham: The Amazing Spider-Man #342 (Dec. 1990) As Cardiac: The Amazing Spider Man #344 (Feb. 1991)
Created by	David Michelinie Erik Larsen
In-story information
Alter ego	Elias Wirtham
Team affiliations	Parker Industries H.E.A.R.T. Clinic
Abilities	Accomplished physician and surgeon Superhuman strength Enhanced speed, agility, reflexes and endurance Regeneration Wields a pulse staff Rides a beta-propelled stingray hang-glider Ability to channel beta particles via the neural web of his vibranium-mesh skin

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

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

Wirtham is a physician and surgeon, and the owner and administrator of a biological research firm. Elias Wirtham is driven by his brother's death to research life-saving medical practices. His brother Joshua's death was the result of corporate greed, who had a cure for his condition ready, but did not distribute the medicine due to it not being a "profitable" time for them, hence his motivation against corporations. As a part of his research, Elias replaces his heart with a beta-particle reactor, which supplies energy throughout his body, in addition to a vibranium weave mesh under his skin. This energy, channeled through his muscles, increases his speed, agility, and reflexes, and can also be fired through his fists or the power staff he wields. He adopts the moniker "Cardiac" in reference to the source of his power.

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 the Rhino. Cardiac next destroys the house and property of Albert Brukner, a corrupt S & L broker, and then attacked a subsidiary of Stane International that manufactured dangerous electronic dolls for children. He invaded Stane International itself to destroy designs for a sonic missile that produced the effects of nerve gas.

Cardiac targets a filmmaker whose film is indirectly responsible for a boy murdering his family. However, Cardiac incidentally encounters Styx and Stone, and is inadvertently embroiled in a fight between Styx, Stone, and Spider-Man. At different times fighting each of them, Cardiac eventually cooperates with Spider-Man and together they defeat Styx and Stone. Afterward, Spider-Man attempts to restrain him, but he escapes. He next battled Code: Blue. Cardiac returns periodically to perform his version of justice. He will not hesitate to kill criminals, but he is often bothered by his conscience that he has to. Cardiac later targeted a shipment of drugs, and again encounters Spider-Man. After defeating the hero, he destroys the shipment, saying that he wasn't "there to destroy a misguided hero". Cardiac helps NightWatch to take down the corrupt corporation which gave him his powers. Cardiac also confronts Johnny Blaze and Ghost Rider during Blaze's mission to rescue his missing son from an evil corporation. When Wolverine seemingly goes on a rampage after having fallen under the influence of an alien, Cardiac is one of the many superheroes who attempts to stop him. Pairing with Solo does not help, as they are both swiftly defeated. Wolverine turns Cardiac's weapon on a nearby building. Cardiac is stunned and buried under several large chunks of masonry.