Cardiac (comics)
Encyclopedia
Cardiac is a fictional character
comic book
vigilante hero appearing in publications from Marvel Comics
. Created by writer David Michelinie
and penciller Erik Larsen
, he first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man
#342 (December 1990).
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.
Wirtham is a physician and surgeon, and the owner and administrator of a biological research firm.
Cardiac becomes a vigilante, believing himself an instrument of justice. He first encountered Spider-Man
while raiding Sapridyne Chemicals, a company owned by Justin Hammer
which possessed chemicals vital for the production of cocaine. 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
.
Shortly thereafter, Rhino
was dispatched to kill Cardiac, but was defeated by him. 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 is good friends with NightWatch
, and helps him 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.
Elias is being considered as a "potential recruit" for the Initiative
program, according to Civil War: Battle Damage Report.
During the Fear Itself
storyline, Cardiac deals with the chaos in his area when he comes across Charles Davies, CEO of Jerixo Healthcare, and helps Davies when his son comes down with meningitis.
Dr. 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.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
vigilante hero appearing in publications from Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. Created by writer David Michelinie
David Michelinie
-Biography:Some of his earliest work is for DC Comics's House of Secrets and a run on Swamp Thing , following Len Wein and preceding Gerry Conway, illustrated by Nestor Redondo. Michelinie did a run on Aquaman in Adventure Comics which led to the revival of the Sea King's own title in 1977...
and penciller Erik Larsen
Erik Larsen
Erik J. Larsen is an American comic book writer, artist and publisher. He is best known for his work on Savage Dragon, as one of the founders of Image Comics, and for his work on Spider-Man for Marvel Comics.-Early life:...
, he first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring the adventures of the fictional superhero Spider-Man. Being the mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a monthly periodical and was published continuously until it was...
#342 (December 1990).
Fictional character biography
Elias Wirtham is a doctor driven by his brother's death to researching 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 vibraniumVibranium
Vibranium is a fictional metal that appears in the Marvel Universe. It is most commonly known as one of the materials used to construct Captain America's shield, but it is also noted for its connection to the Black Panther and his native homeland of Wakanda .-Publication history:Vibranium first...
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.
Wirtham is a physician and surgeon, and the owner and administrator of a biological research firm.
Cardiac becomes a vigilante, believing himself an instrument of justice. He first encountered Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
while raiding Sapridyne Chemicals, a company owned by Justin Hammer
Justin Hammer
Justin Hammer is a fictional character that has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. As a frequent adversary of the superhero Iron Man, Justin Hammer exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe...
which possessed chemicals vital for the production of cocaine. Cardiac next destroys the house and property of Albert Brukner, a corrupt S & L
Savings and loan association
A savings and loan association , also known as a thrift, is a financial institution that specializes in accepting savings deposits and making mortgage and other loans...
broker, and then attacked a subsidiary of Stane International
Obadiah Stane
Obadiah Stane is a fictional supervillain from comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Iron Man #163 , and was created by Dennis O'Neil and Luke McDonnell....
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
Media violence research
Research into the media and violence examines whether links between consuming media violence and subsequent aggressive and violent behavior exists...
for a boy murdering his family. However, Cardiac incidentally encounters Styx and Stone
Styx and Stone
Styx and Stone are two fictional comic book characters in the Marvel Comics universe. They are a criminal duo that have crossed Spider-Man's path on a number of occasions. They were created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #309...
, and is inadvertently embroiled in a fight between Styx, Stone
Styx and Stone
Styx and Stone are two fictional comic book characters in the Marvel Comics universe. They are a criminal duo that have crossed Spider-Man's path on a number of occasions. They were created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #309...
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
Code: Blue
Code: Blue is a fictional organization in the Marvel Universe.Code: Blue was a New York City police SWAT team that was specially trained and equipped to deal with super-powered criminals.-Publication history:...
.
Shortly thereafter, Rhino
Rhino (comics)
The Rhino is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita, Sr., the character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #41 The Rhino (Aleksei Mikhailovich Sytsevich) is a fictional character that appears in comic...
was dispatched to kill Cardiac, but was defeated by him. 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 is good friends with NightWatch
Nightwatch (comics)
Nightwatch is a fictional super hero who has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. He exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:...
, and helps him to take down the corrupt corporation which gave him his powers.
Cardiac also confronts Johnny Blaze
Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)
Ghost Rider is a fictional character, an antihero in the Marvel Comics Universe. He is the second Marvel character to use the name Ghost Rider, following the Western hero later known as the Phantom Rider, and preceding Daniel Ketch.Johnny Blaze was portrayed both in the 2007 film Ghost Rider and...
and Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider (Daniel Ketch)
Ghost Rider is a comic book character, a supernatural superhero in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. He is the third Marvel character to use the name Ghost Rider, following the Western hero later known as the Phantom Rider, and Johnny Blaze, the first supernatural Ghost Rider.-Publication...
during Blaze's mission to rescue his missing son from an evil corporation.
When Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
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
Solo (Marvel Comics)
Solo is a fictional character, appearing in comic books by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Solo first appeared in Web of Spider-Man #19 . He was created by writer David Michelinie and artist Marc Silvestri...
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.
Elias is being considered as a "potential recruit" for the Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series from Marvel Comics. Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage with artwork initially by Stefano Caselli, Steve Uy and Harvey Tolibao, the series dealt with the aftermath of Marvel's Civil War crossover Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series...
program, according to Civil War: Battle Damage Report.
During the Fear Itself
Fear Itself (comics)
"Fear Itself" is a 2011 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics, consisting of a seven-issue, eponymous miniseries written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger, and Laura Martin, a prologue book by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Scott Eaton, and...
storyline, Cardiac deals with the chaos in his area when he comes across Charles Davies, CEO of Jerixo Healthcare, and helps Davies when his son comes down with meningitis.
Powers and abilities
Cardiac's heart has been surgically replaced with a compact beta-particle reactor, which grants Cardiac power. He has the ability to 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, and rides a beta-propelled stingray hang-glider, which were both invented by Wirtham and his associates.Dr. 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.
External links
- Cardiac at Marvel.com
- Profile at Spiderfan.org