Origin
Eli Wirtham and his young brother were close as kids. So when his brother died of a rare disease, Eli vowed to become a great healer to honor his brother and help those in need. Through his studies, he discovered that a company had developed a cure to the same ailment his brother had suffered and died from. Over time he built a medical empire using his business prowess and intellect, eventually buying the company that had developed the cure that could have saved his brother’s life. One day when he was looking over the company’s records, he discovered the company had developed the cure years before, but they kept it off the market until the economy was more profitable. This happened to take place while his brother was still alive. If the company put life before profit, he would likely still be alive. Outraged over this information, Eli made another vow: to not let justice slip through the cracks because of technicalities and greed ever again.
Eli underwent an operation and had his heart replaced with a artificial heart, capable of generating vast amounts of power electrical charges. He then developed a staff to focus the energy into concussive blast, able to blow holes in concrete and steel. He also created a pseudo-skin made out of vibranium mesh to help protect him in dangerous situations. Coupled with the padding from his costume, Eli can vault over high walls and jump from great heights without getting hurt. With these new powers, he became Cardiac; a heart that beats for justice.
History
Fighting Resumes
On his mission of destroying factories, he has encountered battle Spider-Man (both Parker and Reilly) numerous times. Despite never seeing eye-to-eye with the wall crawler, it’s clear he has no real intention to do critical harm when Parker gets in his way. During one of these encounters, he took on the duo of Styx and Stone, even blasting their glider out of the air. He’s also bumped heads with Rhino, managing to KO the brute with a blast from his staff. In the middle of one encounter with Spider-Man, Boomerang interfered and disabled Cardiac with a boomerang that shuts down technology. However, upon recovering Cardiac was able to sink a massive boat with the power from his blast. While briefly teaming up with Solo, Cardiac faced a bone claw version of Wolverine twice. Black Cat and Spider-Man were in his way once, but despite his power he was slugged in the face by Spider-Man while giving Black Cat a bear-hug. He then flew away on his bird. He also had a stalemate with Chance before teaming up with the flying character. Eli also teamed up with Nightwatch and took on his first and only unique enemy, Cardiaxe. Naturally, we haven’t seen that enemy since. On another mission he faced off with Scorpion, who was hired to protect the location. Injured by being shot multiple times, Cardiac performed well against the Spider-Man villain, dodging some of Gargan’s attack and slugging the villain across the jaw. But then Eli became light headed from the damage he previously suffered. Scorpion gained the momentum, but Cardiac used his glider to evade the enemy. They encounter one more time, but Cardiac swiftly ended it by blasting Scorpion’s tail, resulting in the device flailing and sending Gargan down an elevator shaft.
The Superior Spider-Man
Dr. Elias Wirtham returns opening the new Hospital for Emergency Aid and Recuperative Therapy (H.E.A.R.T.) in the site of Mister Negative’s former homeless shelter. Again donning the Cardiac suit he begins stealing items to help aid patients. On a trip to “procure” a device to help a girl, Amy Chen, with severe brain damage, he has a run in with the Superior Spider-Man . He is able to temporarily stun Otto with a strong blast and escape with the Neurolitic Scanner, but not without being tagged with a Spider-Tracer. While Wirtham is preparing for his surgery the alarms at go off and he is forced to change into Cardiac, noticing the Spider-Tracer. Octavius arrives, demanding that Cardiac surrenders the scanner which he refuses to do so. Cardiac tries to detain Spider-Man but fails and finding the scanner on the girl’s head Otto demands an explanation. Cardiac reveals that when Otto tried to kill the planet with his Heat Satellites, he didn’t considered about those who were already sick like Amy, who barely survived with severe brain damage. Feeling remorse, Otto decides to help Cardiac with the surgery and offers to do it himself. The surgery is a success and Cardiac thanks Spider-Man for the help.
Dr. Wirtham oversees the operation of Aunt May’s leg and the operation to give Flash Thompson artificial legs. Dr. Wirtham worries about some last minute add-ins to the procedure. When the Symbiote bonds with Spider-Man, he knocks Cardiac aside. When the Goblin Army attacks Manhattan, Cardiac is seen along side the Avengers fighting the Goblin King‘s minions. While Cardiac was away fighting the Goblin King’s minions, the Goblin King has the H.E.A.R.T. Clinic blown up.
Powers and Abilities
Electrical Generation: Cardiac’s artifical heart generates excess huge amounts of beta particles which he can discharge by through his hands or via his staff. He can modify how much force he produces. It can be weak enough to lightly knock out a human, or powerful enough to sink an entire vessel.
Power Staff: Cardiac uses it to focus the energy from his body into concussive blasts that are powerful enough to bring down entire buildings and it can even knock out durable opponents like Rhino. The staff can be disguised as a walking stick and activated by a surge of energy from his hand. Cardiac also uses the staff to vault walls and fences, as well as engage enemies in close combat.
Flight: Cardiac can signal a remote-controlled, beta-propelled stingray hang glider (which he calls “bird”) to carry him to and from destinations by hooking onto his staff and dragging him behind. He is able to channel his energy blasts through his glider the same way as he can through his battle staff.
Strength: Cardiac has superhuman strength and he can lift up to 15 tons.
Accuracy: Cardiac has never tagged an in motion Spider-Man, but he has a few impressive showings under his belt. He’s tagged Styx and Stone’s fleeing glider, Spider-Man’s webbing (with a melee attack), and Scorpion’s tail during combat.
Speed / Agility: Cardiac has some very impressive speed and agility showings. He has shown that he is able to dodge multiple bullets, blasts from Stone, tail strikes from Scorpion, and even Spider-Man’s webbing.
Durability: Due to the vibranium mesh and armor, Cardiac is very durable and difficult to injure. He has proven capable of withstanding gunfire from pistols and submachine guns, but the damage can take its toll on the hero.