The Air Elemental was one of four threats staged by a group of former Stark Industries employees led by Quentin Beck. Following the death of Iron Man, they intended to faciliate Beck's rise to stardom as the world's new greatest hero. Using tactical combat drones combined with advanced holographic technology stolen from Stark Industries, Beck's crew orchestrated the catastrophic attack of different creatures around the globe which Beck would appear to defeat. As part of the ruse, Beck had a new origin invented for himself and these creatures that became known as the Elementals; both would come from an alternate Earth codenamed "Earth-833." The Elementals were creatures that ravaged Quentin's homeworld, appeared on the new Earth as a consequence of a tear between both universes, and attacked the same locations that they did on Earth-833. The Air Elemental's attack was staged in Morocco, and he appeared to be defeated by Beck, as planned.