Random Happenstance

SDCC was last week as I type this, and I was a little underwhelmed with the Marvel Legends teased? The Disney+ She-Hulk figure looked great, as did the trailer; and while I know there's a few out there thrilled for Razorback, it didn't really do it for me. Feel like he needs a Pig Rig semi or whatever to really do him justice...Not much else grabbed me, but I may be sour because I've got about a dozen figures on pre-order, and Galactus; all of which will show up whenever. Anyway, today we've got the first appearance (maybe?) of a character that hasn't got a figure yet, but shouldn't feel bad since Sony will probably give him a whole-ass movie. From 1991, Amazing Spider-Man #344, "Hearts and Powers" Writen by David Michelinie, pencils by Erik Larsen, inks by Randy Emberlin.

Spidey is dodging guards at a warehouse, getting pictures of chemicals purchased legally but often used to process cocaine. There are a number of guards to keep reporters and/or meddling kids out, then the sudden arrival of...Cardiac! Spidey stops him smashing up the place, and while Cardiac is up for a team-up, the chemicals were technically legal? Cardiac takes out the roof, then disappears in the commotion. While Peter meets up with reporter Joy Mercado, we see Cardiac, unmasking, lamenting that his actions seemed to run across his oath as a doctor. While Peter watches Mary Jane on an early shoot for "Secret Hospital," Dr. Wirtham arrives at the tower with his name on it, part of a large hospital; but he, Peter Parker, and Justin Hammer are all increasingly concerned with Sapirdyne Chemicals. (This is old-school, megalomaniac miser Hammer; not young, hip, wants-to-be-liked MCU wannabe Hammer.) And, a little subplot hyped on the cover: in prison with his cellmate Cletus, Eddie Brock continues to work out since he needs to be in peak condition to avenge his symbiote, which is of course not as bad off as that.

That night, as Spidey patrols, Cardiac goes to take out Sapirdyne, but gets stonewalled by the Rhino! Ah, that's a lucky break, Rhino's a good get for a fledgling hero. He's tough but beatable, and has a great rep for a guy that averages less wins than the Washington Generals. Off the top of my head I can think of two Rhino/rookie fights, and you can probably think of more. Rhino actually climbs up a rope to chase Cardiac on a catwalk, but that just puts him into position for Spidey to kick him. Rhino, surprisingly, has a new trick today: a new membrane attachment to his mask, to keep webs out of his face. That appeared to be a new market for Hammer, Scorpion had gotten something similiar earlier.

During the fight, a ton of live wires are knocked loose, and Cardiac blasts open some chemical barrels; advising Spidey they would almost certainly explode. Rhino hears that and bails, and Spidey has to follow suit. Sapirdyne is leveled, but checking the reports the next day, Hammer realizes Spidey wants Cardiac stopped as much as he does: why not put him on the payroll? Ugh, he'd probably get paid less than the Chessmen. Or an unpaid internship. Anyway, this was a cheap pickup and not a completely minty issue, so I probably won't make a killing when Cardiac gets his own slightly underwhelming movie...