# Cardiac (character)

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

## 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) and as Cardiac in The Amazing Spider-Man #344 (February 1991).

## Fictional character biography

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. 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.

### 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. Cardiac next destroys the house and property of Albert Brukner, a corrupt Savings & Loan broker, and then attacks a subsidiary of Stane International that manufactured dangerous electronic dolls for children. He invades Stane International itself to destroy designs for a sonic missile that produces the effects of nerve gas.
Cardiac targets a filmmaker whose film is indirectly responsible for a boy murdering his own 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; together, they defeat Styx and Stone. Afterward, Spider-Man attempts to restrain Cardiac, but he escapes. Cardiac subsequently battles Code: Blue.
He returns periodically to perform his version of justice. He will kill criminals, but he is often bothered by his conscience as a result. When he targets a shipment of drugs, Cardiac again encounters Spider-Man, defeating the hero. Cardiac destroys the shipment, saying that he was not "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 is not enough, and they are swiftly defeated. Wolverine turns Cardiac's weapon on a nearby building, burying him under masonry.

### The Initiative

Elias was listed as a "potential recruit" for the Initiative program, according to Civil War: Battle Damage Report.

### Fear Itself

During the Fear Itself storyline, Cardiac deals with the fear and chaos in his area when he comes across Charles Davies, CEO of Jerixo Healthcare, and tries to help his son who has meningitis.

### Working with Superior Spider-Man

As Elias Wirtham, he 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.. He comes into conflict with the Superior Spider-Man while attempting to treat Amy, a girl who has severe brain damage. However, Otto eventually learns of his motivations and agrees to help him cure Amy.
During the Goblin Nation storyline, Cardiac battles the Goblin King's minions, during which the H.E.A.R.T. Clinic is destroyed.

## 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 his pulse staff which fires concussive force bolts in a distinctive pulse-like energy signature, and rides a beta-propelled stingray hang-glider, which were both invented by Wirtham and his associates. His vibranium-mesh skin is also able to block several bullet shots before the beta-particle energy is depleted.
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.