Bill Foster (character): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics}}

{{Superherobox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->

{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->

|image=[[Image:BlackGoliath_1.jpg|200px]]

| image = blackgoliath bill.jpg

|caption=''Black Goliath'' #1 (February 1976). Art by [[Ron Wilson (comics)|Ron Wilson]]

| image_size = 200

|comic_color=background:#ff8080

| caption = Bill Foster as Black Goliath, appearing in ''Black Goliath'' #1 (Feb. 1976).<br>Cover art by [[Rich Buckler]].

|character_name=Goliath IV

|real_name=Dr. Williamcharacter_name = BarrettBill Foster

| real_name = Dr. William Barrett "Bill" Foster

|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]

| species = Human mutate

|debut='''As Dr. Bill Foster:''' ''[[Avengers (comics)|The Avengers]]'' #32 (September 1966)<br>

| publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]

'''As Black Goliath:''' ''[[Luke Cage|Power Man]]'' #24 (April 1975)<br>

| debut = '''As Bill Foster:'''<br>''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #32 (September 1966)<br>'''As Black Goliath:'''<br>''[[Luke Cage, Power Man]]'' #24 (April 1975)<br>'''As Giant-Man:'''<br>''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'' #55 (September 1979)<br>'''As Goliath:'''<br>''[[The Thing (comics)|The Thing]]'' (vol. 2) #1 (January 2006)

'''As Giant-Man II:''' ''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'' #55 (September 1979)<br>

| creators = '''Bill Foster:'''<br>[[Stan Lee]]<br>[[Don Heck]]<br>'''Black Goliath:'''<br>[[Jenny Blake Isabella]]<br>[[George Tuska]]

'''As Goliath IV:''' ''[[Thing (comics)|The Thing]]'' (2nd series) #1 (January 2006)

| alliances = [[Centers for Disease Control]]<br>[[Project Pegasus (comics)|Project Pegasus]]<br>[[Defenders (comics)|The Defenders]]<br>[[Champions (1975 team)|The Champions]]

|creators=[[Stan Lee]]<br>[[Don Heck]]

| aliases = [[Goliath (Marvel Comics)|Goliath]]<br>Black Goliath<br>[[Giant-Man]]<br>Rockwell Dodsworth

|alliance_color=background:#ffc0c0

| powers = * Brilliant biochemist

|status=Active

* Mass manipulation

|alliances=[[Centers for Disease Control]]

* [[Superhuman strength]] and durability

|previous_alliances=[[Project: Pegasus]], [[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]], [[Champions (comics)|Champions]] (as technical advisor)

}}

|aliases="Bill", Black Goliath, [[Giant-Man]]

'''Dr. William''' "'''Bill'''" '''Foster''', also known as '''Black Goliath''', '''[[Giant-Man]]''' and '''[[Goliath (Marvel Comics)|Goliath]]''', is a [[superhero]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. He is a professor with powers similar to [[Hank Pym]]'s increasing size and mass to gigantic proportions. Foster was killed by [[Ragnarok (comics)|Ragnarok]] during the 2006 event ''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]'', with his nephew [[Goliath (Tom Foster)|Tom Foster]] succeeding him as Goliath.

|relatives=Claire Temple (ex-wife)

|powers=Ability to grow to a gigantic size while gaining mass and superhuman strength in proportion to his height.

|}}

The character has made several video game appearances and appeared in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU) film ''[[Ant-Man and the Wasp]]'' (2018), portrayed by [[Laurence Fishburne]], who later voiced [[Multiverse (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|alternate versions]] of the character in the animated series ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]''.

'''Goliath''' (Dr. William Barrett "Bill" Foster, formerly Black Goliath, formerly the second [[Giant-Man]]) is a [[fictional character]], a [[comic book]] [[superhero]] in the [[Marvel Comics]] [[Marvel Universe|universe]]. He is an [[African American]] version of [[Henry Pym|Giant-Man]]. Bill Foster was created by [[Stan Lee]] and [[Don Heck]] in ''[[Avengers|The Avengers]]'' #32 (September 1966). Black Goliath was created by [[Tony Isabella]] and [[George Tuska]] in ''[[Luke Cage|Power Man]]'' #24 (April 1975). Foster became the second [[Giant-Man]] in ''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'' #55 (September 1979). He became the fourth [[Goliath (comics)|Goliath]] in ''[[Thing (comics)|The Thing]]'' (2nd series) #1. Although he became a [[superhero]] years later, Bill Foster is the second [[African American]] [[comic book]] character to become a [[superhero]].

==Creation==

''Black Goliath'' is also the name of the short-lived comic book starring the character, which ran for 5 issues in 1976.

Isabella recounted the character's creation:

{{cquote|Bill Foster was Hank Pym’s colleague at a time when Pym (aka Ant-Man, Giant-Man, and Goliath) was trapped at a giant size. They were working to reverse that condition. Later, Foster used their work to become a super-hero himself. I wanted to call him Giant-Man, but I was told Giant-Man had sold badly near the end of his run in ''Tales to Astonish''. We went with Black Goliath to distinguish him from the Pym incarnation of Goliath, but I was never happy with that name.<ref>{{cite interview | url= https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/rich-reviews-tony-isabella-writercreator-black-lightning/| title= RICH REVIEWS: Tony Isabella Writer/Creator Black Lightning| first= Tony | last= Isabella | date= June 6, 2017 | interviewer=Richard Vasseur | website= firstcomicsnews.com | publisher=| accessdate= April 28, 2024}}</ref>}}

==Publication history==

BlackBill GoliathFoster haswas appearedcreated inby the[[Stan pagesLee]] ofand [[Don Heck]] in ''[[Avengers (comicscomic book)|The Avengers]]'', #32 (September 1966). His "Black Goliath" persona was created by [[Jenny Blake Isabella]] and [[George Tuska]] in ''[[Luke Cage|, Power Man]]'', ''Black#24 Goliath'',(April 1975). Foster became the second Giant-Man in ''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'', ''[[Champions#55 (comicsSeptember 1979)|The. Champions]]'',He became yet the fourth Goliath in ''[[DefendersThe Thing (comics)|The DefendersThing]]'', ''Marvel Super-Heroes'' (vol. 32), and#1 [[Marvel(January Comics Presents]]2006).

He starred in the five-issue series ''Black Goliath'' in 1976.

==Character biography==

Bill Foster has appeared in the pages of various comic books, including ''The Avengers'', ''Power Man'', ''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'', ''[[Champions (1975 team)|The Champions]]'', ''[[The Defenders (comic book)|The Defenders]]'', ''Marvel Super-Heroes (vol. 3)'', ''[[Marvel Comics Presents]]'', and ''[[Civil War (comic book)|Civil War]]''.

The character was killed by [[Ragnarok (comics)|Ragnarok]] in the fourth issue of the series ''[[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]]''.

==Fictional character biography==

===Origin===

Bill Foster was born in [[Watts, Los Angeles, California]]. After earning a Ph.D. in [[biochemistry]] from the [[California Institute of Technology]] (Caltech), Foster worked in the Plans and Research Division for [[Tony Stark]]'s [[Baltimore, Maryland|Baltimore]] factory.<ref name=":0" /> He is hired to be the biochemical laboratory assistant of [[Hank Pym]]. At a time when the original Giant-Man was stuck at the height of {{convert|10|ft|m}}, Foster helps at Stark's behest to find a cure to revert Pym's size back to normal.<ref>''The Avengers'' #32–35. Marvel Comics.</ref> Foster continues to work as Pym's lab assistant.<ref>''The Avengers'' #41, 54, 75. Marvel Comics.</ref> Foster later investigates the apparent deaths of Pym and [[Janet van Dyne]].<ref>''Marvel Feature'' #9. Marvel Comics.</ref>

Biochemist Dr. Bill Foster was the lab assistant of Dr. Hank Pym (aka [[Giant-Man]]). [[Hank Pym|Pym]] was stuck at the height of 10 feet for a time and Dr. Foster helped him find a cure to return his size back to normal.

===Black Goliath===

{{quote box|align=right|width=350px|bgcolor =#c6dbf7|title=Origin blurb from ''Black Goliath'' #1|quote=BILL FOSTER — Dr. William Barrett Foster, [[Doctor of Science|DSc]], [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] — a child of the GHETTO who has pulled himself up out of the Los Angeles slums to become director of one of the nation's most prestigious research labs. A man whose research has given him the power to instantaneously grow to a height of FIFTEEN FEET, with the strength of a TRUE GIANT. A man who has become... a HERO.<ref>''Black Goliath'' #1 (February 1976).</ref>}}

Dr. Foster moved to the West Coast and had at some point acquired the formula to "Pym particles" which gave him the ability to grow in size like his former employer. Taking the name '''Black Goliath''', he helped [[Luke Cage|Power Man]] fight the [[Circus of Crime]]. As Black Goliath he fought criminals such at Atom-Smasher, Warhawk, [[Stilt-Man]] and the Hijacker. Black Goliath later assisted the [[Champions (comics)|Champions of Los Angeles]], then joined the group part-time as their technical advisor. After the [[Champions (comics)|Champions]] disbanded, Black Goliath, along with a large group of other heroes, joined the [[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]] for only one mission before quitting the group.

Bill Foster moves to the West Coast and acquires the formula to "[[Pym Particle]]s", which give him the ability to grow in size like his former employer. Taking the name "Black Goliath", he helps [[Power Man]] fight the [[Circus of Crime]].<ref>''Luke Cage, Power Man'' #24–25 (April–May 1975).</ref> He later battles the original [[Atom-Smasher (Marvel Comics)#Ronald English|Atom-Smasher]], the second Vulcan, and [[Stilt-Man]]. The mercenary [[Warhawk (Marvel Comics)|Warhawk]] kills Atom-Smasher and flees before Black Goliath can catch him.<ref name= ":0">''Black Goliath'' #1–5 (February–November 1976).</ref>

Black Goliath later assists the [[Champions (1975 team)|Champions of Los Angeles]] in battling Stilt-Man, then joins the group part-time as their technical advisor.<ref>''The Champions'' #11–13 (February–May 1977).</ref> Alongside Ben Grimm, Black Goliath battles the [[Hijacker (comics)|Hijacker]].<ref>''Marvel Two-in-One'' #32–35 (October 1977–January 1978).</ref> After the Champions disband, Black Goliath and a large group of other heroes attend a [[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]] membership rally; this incarnation of Defenders battles a number of assembled superhuman criminals for only one mission before disbanding.<ref>''The Defenders'' #62–65 (August–November 1978).</ref>

[[Image:WestCoastAvengersAnn_3.jpg|thumb|left|''West Coast Avengers Annual'' #3. Art by [[Mike Machlan]].]]

===Giant-Man II===

===Giant-Man===

====The Project: Pegasus Saga====

Dr. Bill Foster later joinedjoins the staff of [[Project: Pegasus (comics)|Project Pegasus]], the U.S.US government's semi-secret energy research facility, as a biochemical researcher. While there, he revealedreveals his identity of Black Goliath identity to the [[Thing (comics)|Thing]], whoworking (at the time) wasin workingsecurity for [[Project: Pegasus]]. In the process of answering an emergency alarm, Foster decides to change his namealias to '''the name "Giant-Man'''" at Ben Grimm's suggestion. Alongside the Thing, [[ThingQuasar (Wendell Vaughn)|Quasar]], and the [[Wundarr the Aquarian|Aquarian]], Giant-Man defends Project: Pegasus against [[Nuklo]], the [[Grapplers (comics)|Ben'sGrapplers]], suggestion[[Klaw (character)|Klaw]], [[Solarr]], and the [[Nth Man]]. After working at [[Project: Pegasus]] for a short time, Foster revealedreveals that washe is dying from radiation poisoning he contracted in his earlier fight with Atom-Smasher. Some time later, while on his death bed, Foster<ref>'s'Marvel radiation poisoning was cured by a blood transfusion from [[SpiderTwo-Womanin-One'' (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]]#54–58. At the time she was immune to radiation, but lost that immunity after giving Foster theMarvel transfusionComics.</ref>

Alongside the Thing and [[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman]], he battles the Circus of Crime again.<ref>''Marvel Two-in-One'' #76</ref> Alongside the Thing and [[Captain America]], he battles [[MODOK]] and [[Advanced Idea Mechanics|A.I.M.]]<ref>''Marvel Two-in-One'' #82. Marvel Comics.</ref> Alongside the Thing and [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]], Giant-Man battles the second [[Atom-Smasher (Marvel Comics)|Atom-Smasher]]. Foster's radiation poisoning takes a turn for the worse and he lies on his death bed. As Spider-Woman is immune to radiation at the time, Foster is given a blood transfusion from Spider-Woman. The process cures his radiation poisoning, but ends Spider-Woman's radiation immunity, and removes Giant-Man's powers as well.<ref>''Marvel Two-in-One'' #85. Marvel Comics.</ref>

====The Return====

After being cured, Foster gave up the Giant-Man identity for a long time. He finally returned as Giant-Man when he assisted the [[West Coast Avengers]] in their battle against the [[High Evolutionary]] in the [[Savage Land]] during [[The Evolutionary War]]. Giant-Man later defeated [[Ant-Man's]] old foe [[Doctor Nemesis]] and [[Atlas (comics)|Goliath]] in their scheme.

===Hero=Evolutionary No MoreWar====

Bill Foster is next seen during the [[Evolutionary War]]. He is a scientist working for the [[High Evolutionary]] at his base in the [[Savage Land]].<ref name="West Coast Avengers Annual #3">''The West Coast Avengers'' (vol. 2) Annual #3. Marvel Comics.</ref> After discovering the High Evolutionary's plans for a genetic bomb, Foster sends a distress message to the [[West Coast Avengers]]. [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]], [[Tigra]], and [[Moon Knight]] are the only Avengers to answer his summons and join him in destroying the base. Foster reveals that he had been suffering from cancer since his last appearance. He retakes an improved growth serum, which adds clean (cancer-free) mass to his body, so he remains at giant-size until he can receive further treatment.<ref name="West Coast Avengers Annual #3"/> This was the last mention of Foster's cancer. Giant-Man later defeats [[Doctor Nemesis#Michael Stockton|Doctor Nemesis]] and [[Erik Josten]] in their scheme.<ref>''Marvel Comics Presents'' #113–118 (1992–93). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Foster soon gave up the Giant-Man identity and [[Hank Pym]] subsequently took it back for himself. Not too long after that, [[Atlas (comics)|Goliath's]] ionic powers were disrupted in a battle against the [[Avengers West Coast]]. This caused an energy disruption which allowed a race of extra-dimensional creatures, the [[Kosmosians]] to attack Earth. Although the creatures were ultimately repelled, the energy disruption and effects on the Pym Particles affected all that had ever been exposed to them, except [[Henry Pym|Pym]] himself, causing them to lose control of their growth and/or shrinking powers.

===Abandoning the hero role===

Since losing his powers, Dr. Foster joined the staff of the [[Centers for Disease Control]]. In this capacity he helped the [[Avengers]] deal with a bio-weapon released near [[Mount Rushmore]].

Bill Foster soon gives up the Giant-Man identity to which Hank Pym subsequently takes back for himself.<ref>''The Avengers'' #368 (November 1993). Marvel Comics.</ref> Not too long after that, Josten's ionic powers are disrupted in a battle against the [[West Coast Avengers]].<ref>''Avengers West Coast'' #92 (March 1993). Marvel Comics.</ref> This causes an energy disruption which allows a race of extra-dimensional creatures, the Kosmosians, to attack Earth. Although the creatures are ultimately repelled, the energy disruption and effects on the Pym Particles affect all that have ever been exposed to them, except Pym himself, causing them to lose control of their powers. During this storyline, it was shown how Foster and Pym were trying to use Pym Particles to end world hunger.<ref>''Avengers Double Feature ... Avengers/Giant-Man'' #379–382 (October 1994–January 1995). Marvel Comics.</ref>

After losing his powers, Foster joins the [[Centers for Disease Control]]'s staff. In this capacity, he helps the Avengers deal with a bio-weapon released near [[Mount Rushmore]].<ref>''The Avengers'' (vol. 3) #66 (June 2003). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Goliath Again===

Recently, Foster donned the identity of '''Goliath''' again (along with a new costume and without the modifying "Black"). He first helped the [[Thing (comics)|Thing]] deal with a supervillain (along with hitting him up for a research grant), then helped [[Spider-Man]] track down the [[Hulk (comics)|Hulk]] in order for [[Bruce Banner]] to possibly deal with [[Spider-Man|Spidey's]] cellular degeneration. He also appeared very briefly as part of an ad-hoc team of "urban" superheroes (Luke Cage/Power Man, Iron Fist, Brother Voodoo and The Falcon) in issue 17 of the Christopher J. Priest/Sal Velluto/Bob Almond run of [[The Black Panther]]. He has also appeared on the cover to an upcoming issue of [[Civil War (comics)|Civil War]].

===Final return===

Bill Foster somehow regained his powers. Under his Black Goliath identity, he appears briefly as part of an ad-hoc team of "urban" superheroes ([[Luke Cage]], [[Iron Fist (character)|Iron Fist]], [[Brother Voodoo]] and the [[Falcon (comics)|Falcon]]).<ref>''Black Panther'' (vol. 3) #17 (April 2000). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Foster dons the Goliath identity without the "black" in the name and along with a new costume to first help the Thing deal with a supervillain (along with hitting up for a research grant),<ref>''The Thing'' (vol. 2) #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> then helps [[Spider-Man]] track down the [[Hulk]] in order for Bruce Banner to possibly deal with Spider-Man's cellular degeneration.<ref>''Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Civil War''===

When the [[Civil War (comic book)|Civil War]] breaks out, Bill Foster as Goliath is seen as a member of Captain America's anti-registration Secret Avengers, adopting the alias '''Rockwell Dodsworth'''. He subsequently appears briefly amongst the cavalcade of other super-heroes attending the [[Black Panther (character)|Black Panther]]'s and [[Storm (Marvel Comics)|Storm]]'s wedding.<ref>''Black Panther'' (vol. 4) #18 (Sept. 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Foster is killed by [[Ragnarok (comics)|Ragnarok]], a clone of [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]], during a battle between the Secret Avengers and [[Iron Man]]'s pro-registration forces. Foster is buried in his giant form, with Iron Man paying for the thirty-eight burial plots required to accommodate his body. His death affected the war's balance of forces, leading several characters to switch sides, such as Spider-Man defecting to Captain America's side.<ref>''Civil War'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Legacy===

Bill's nephew, [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|M.I.T.]] student [[Goliath (Tom Foster)|Tom Foster]], informs the Black Panther of intending to follow in his uncle's footsteps by cracking the Pym Particle formula and being a hero.<ref>''Black Panther'' (vol. 4) #23. Marvel Comics.</ref> Tom later publicly denounced [[Mister Fantastic|Reed Richards]] and Iron Man because of his uncle's death.<ref>''World War Hulk'' #4. Marvel Comics.</ref> Afterwards, Tom recreates and drinks his uncle's formula.<ref>''World War Hulk: Aftersmash'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Dark Reign (comics)|Dark Reign]]" storyline, [[Norman Osborn]] dug up Foster's grave and removed his clavicle, hoping to use the Pym particle residue to track down Hank Pym's [[The Mighty Avengers|Mighty Avengers]]. Foster's clavicle is later broken in half by Osborn in a fit of rage after hearing Pym's team being declared "the real Avengers" on national television.<ref>''The Mighty Avengers'' #24. Marvel Comics.</ref>

When [[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Hercules]] ventures into the [[Greek underworld|Underworld]], Bill Foster is one of numerous deceased characters seen in Erebus: the place in between life and death where those who feel they still have business in the mortal world gamble and linger for their resurrection.<ref>''The Incredible Hercules'' #129. Marvel Comics.</ref>

It is later revealed that Foster had worked with Hank on a virtual reality program where one could upload their consciousness and live on after death prior to his own death. The grieving Pym uploaded Foster's mind into the program, in effect creating a virtual Utopia for his comrade.<ref>''Ant-Man & Wasp'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref> A.I.M. later attempt to hijack the program, but Pym was able to defeat them with [[Eric O'Grady]]'s help. During the adventure's course, O'Grady (disguised as Pym in the virtual world) converses briefly with Foster who says to stop pushing loved ones away.<ref>''Ant-Man & Wasp'' #3. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==Powers and abilities==

Bill Foster's superpowers are a result of his biochemical formula containing Pym particles that he ingested.<ref>''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z'' #4 (September 2008)</ref> He has the ability to increase his size into gigantic levels by psionically drawing [[mass]] from an extra-dimensional source, while gaining immense strength and durability in this height. The extra mass returns to its source as he decreases in size. The process of height alteration is fatiguing, making Foster more vulnerable to harm, after successive changes.

Foster's exposure to Pym particles gives him the ability to grow to a gigantic size while gaining mass and superhuman strength in proportion to his height.

Foster was capable of routinely growing to {{convert|15|ft|m}} in height and could lift approximately five tons at that size. After regaining his powers during the "[[Evolutionary War]]", it does not provide precise [[Quantification (science)|quantification]], but he can now grow to {{convert|25|ft|m}} tall.

Bill Foster possesses a gifted intellect with an extensive knowledge of [[biochemistry]].

==Other versions==

===Ant-Man Season One===

A younger version of Foster appears in the ''Ant-Man: Season One'' [[Original graphic novel|graphic novel]]. He is portrayed as the lab assistant of the young Hank Pym, and helps him in his crusade against [[Egghead (Marvel Comics)|Egghead]].<ref>''Ant-Man: Season One'' graphic novel (2012). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Contest of Champions===

The 2015 ''Contest of Champions'' series featured an unidentified alternate reality's version of Civil War that had everything go in Tony Stark's favor. He used the Reality Infinity Gem to undo the death of Goliath at the hands of Ragnarok.<ref>''Contest of Champions'' #9-10. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Marvel Zombies===

A zombified Black Goliath attacks the fortress of [[Doctor Doom]] known as "Doomshadt" in ''[[Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness]]'' #4. He is repelled by Doom's forces as he is impaled by several large missiles and killed when they explode while still within him.<ref>''[[Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness]]'' #4</ref> Another version of a different zombified Black Goliath appears in an alternate universe in ''[[Marvel Zombies Return]]''. He had been decapitated and his still 'living' zombie head is used as part of a makeshift computer to allow the zombified [[Hank Pym]] to create dimensional travel.<ref>''Marvel Zombies Return: Avengers'' (September 2009). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===MC2===

In the [[Marvel Comics 2|MC2]] universe, in the pages of ''[[A-Next]]'', Bill Foster is seen within the series as his son John Foster becomes the new [[Earth Sentry]].<ref>''A-Next'' #2. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Spidey Super Stories===

An alternate version of Bill Foster appeared in ''[[Spidey Super Stories]]'' as Giant-Man. In the story, it was explained that Foster was originally the young lab assistant of Hank Pym, and became the second Giant-Man after he retired.<ref>''Spidey Super Stories'' #47. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===What If?===

In ''[[What If (comics)|What If Civil War Ended Differently]]?'', Bill Foster is featured in both stories. In "What If Captain America Led All the Heroes Against the Registration Act", Foster appears on Captain America's side. In "What If Iron Man Lost the Civil War", Foster is among the heroes on both sides that fight an out-of-control Ragnarok. When Ragnarok is about to use a lightning attack on Foster, Iron Man throws himself in front of the attack; he survives, but his armor is destroyed.<ref>''What If?: Civil War'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==In other media==

===Marvel Cinematic Universe===

{{See also|Bill Foster (Marvel Cinematic Universe)}}

Bill Foster appears in media set in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU), primarily portrayed by [[Laurence Fishburne]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ant-man-wasp-casts-michelle-pfeiffer-laurence-fishburne-at-comic-con-1023664|title=Ant-Man and the Wasp' Casts Michelle Pfeiffer and Laurence Fishburne|author1=Aaron Couch|author2=Graeme McMillan|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=July 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/ant-man-wasp-ghost-bill-foster-daughter/|title=Laurence Fishburne May Have Spoiled Ant-Man & The Wasp's Big Twist|website=Screen Rant|last=Bacon|first=Thomas|date=June 26, 2018|access-date=June 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627005408/https://screenrant.com/ant-man-wasp-ghost-bill-foster-daughter/|archive-date=2018-06-27|url-status=live}}</ref> while his son [[Langston Fishburne|Langston]] portrays him in flashbacks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdsmediafile.com/media/AntManAndTheWasp/writen-material/AntManAndTheWasp5b3149f365d93.pdf|title=Ant-Man and the Wasp Press Kit|publisher=[[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]]|access-date=July 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104173700/http://www.wdsmediafile.com/media/AntManAndTheWasp/writen-material/AntManAndTheWasp5b3149f365d93.pdf|archive-date=2018-11-04|url-status=live}}</ref> This version is a former member of [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]], [[Hank Pym (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Hank Pym]]'s assistant on "Project Goliath", and [[Ava Starr]]'s surrogate father after [[Egghead (Marvel Comics)|Elihas Starr]]'s death.

* Introduced in the live-action film ''[[Ant-Man and the Wasp]]'', Foster teaches quantum physics at [[University of California, Berkeley|UC Berkeley]] when he encounters Pym, [[Scott Lang (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Scott Lang]], and [[Hope van Dyne]]. After Ava captures them, Foster explains his intent to cure Ava of her quantum instability by obtaining energy from the [[Microverse|Quantum Realm]]. After Pym, Lang, and Hope escape, Foster and Ava steal Pym's lab, but their former captives retake it. After [[Janet van Dyne (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Janet van Dyne]] stabilizes Ava, Foster goes on the run with the latter.

* Alternate reality variants of Foster who became Goliath appears in the [[Disney+]] animated series ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]'', voiced by Fishburne.<ref>{{cite web |last=Flook |first=Ray |date=March 24, 2023 |title=What If…?: Laurence Fishburne Voicing Bill Foster for Season 2 |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/what-if-laurence-fishburne-voicing-bill-foster-for-season-2/ |access-date=March 24, 2023 |publisher=Bleeding Cool}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Amin |first=Arezou |date=December 24, 2024 |title='What If...?' Season 3 Episode 3 Recap: Bucky and Alexei's Excellent Adventure |url=https://collider.com/what-if-season-3-episode-3-recap/ |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref>

===Television===

Bill Foster appears in the ''[[Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur]]'' episode "Devil on Her Shoulder", voiced again by Laurence Fishburne.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shaunette |first=Morgan |date=April 11, 2023 |title=Laurence Fishburne Brings His MCU Character to Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur |url=https://www.cbr.com/laurence-fishburne-mcu-moon-girl-devil-dinosaur/ |access-date=April 12, 2023 |publisher=CBR}}</ref>

===Video games===

* Bill Foster as Goliath appears as a boss in ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2]]'', voiced by Emerson Brooks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Marvel-Universe/Goliath/|title=Goliath Voices (Marvel Universe)|website=Behind The Voice Actors}}</ref> This version supports Captain America in opposing the [[Superhuman Registration Act]].

* Bill Foster as Goliath appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Super Hero Squad Online]]''.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}

* Bill Foster as Black Goliath appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego Marvel's Avengers]]'',{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} voiced by [[James C. Mathis III]].{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}

===Miscellaneous===

Bill Foster appears in ''[[The Avengers: United They Stand]]'' #1.<ref>''Avengers: United They Stand'' #1</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==BibliographyExternal links==

* [https://marvel.com/characters/goliath-bill-foster Goliath] at Marvel.com

===List of titles===

* ''[[Avengers (comics)|The Avengers]]'' #32-35, 41, 54, 75, 244, 246, 360, 379-382

* ''[[Avengers (comics)|Avengers (vol. 3)]]'' #66

* ''[[Avengers West Coast]]'' #100

* ''Black Goliath'' #1-5

* ''[[Black Panther|Black Panther (vol. 2)'']] #17

* ''[[Champions (comics)|The Champions]]'' #11-13

* ''[[Defenders (comics)|The Defenders]]'' #62-65

* ''[[Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man]]'' #2

* ''[[Marvel Comics Presents]]'' #113-118

* ''[[Marvel Feature]]'' #9

* ''Marvel Super-Heroes (vol. 3) #11

* ''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'' #24, 54-58, 76, 81-85, 96

* ''[[Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man]]'' #41

* ''[[Luke Cage|Power Man]]'' #24-25

* ''[[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]]'' #4, 47

* ''[[Thing (comics)|The Thing]]'' (2nd series) #1

* ''[[West Coast Avengers|West Coast Avengers (vol. 2)]]'' #39

* ''[[West Coast Avengers|West Coast Avengers Annual]]'' #3

{{Ant-Man and Wasp}}

===Significant stories===

{{Stan Lee}}

* ''[[Avengers (comics)|The Avengers]]'' #32-35 (September 1966-December 1966) - Dr. Bill Foster, a biochemist and [[Henry Pym|Dr. Henry Pym's]] laboratory assistant, helps [[Henry Pym|Pym]] find a cure to return his size back to normal.

* ''[[Luke Cage|Power Man]]'' #24-25 (April 1975-June 1975) - First appearance of Bill Foster in the identity of Black Goliath.

* ''Black Goliath'' #1-3 (February 1976-June 1976) - Black Goliath fights Atom-Smasher who perishes in the battle.

* ''Black Goliath'' #4 (August 1976); "Enter Stilt-Man. Exit Black Goliath." - Black Goliath battles [[Stilt-Man]].

* ''Black Goliath'' #5 (November 1976); "Survival" - Black Goliath travels to a distant planet.

* ''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'' #24 (February 1977); "Does Anyone Remember... the Hijacker?" - [[Thing (comics)|The Thing]] and Black Goliath battle the Hijacker.

* ''[[Champions (comics)|The Champions]]'' #11-13 - Black Goliath joins the [[Champions (comics)|Champions]] as part-time technical advisor.

* ''[[Defenders (comics)|The Defenders]]'' #62-65 - Along with a large number of other heroes, Black Goliath joins the [[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]] for a single mission.

* ''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'' #54 (August 1979); "The Pegasus Project, Part 2: Blood and Bionics" - Dr. Bill Foster brings the body of Atom-Smasher to [[Project: Pegasus]] for study.

* ''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'' #55 (September 1979); "The Pegasus Project, Part 3: Giants in the Earth" - Foster takes the identity of [[Giant-Man]].

* ''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'' #58 (December 1979); "The Pegasus Project, Part 6: To the Nth Power!" - Giant-Man reveals he has deadly radiation poisoning stemming from his prior battle with Atom-Smasher.

* ''[[Marvel Two-in-One]]'' #85 (March 1982); "The Final Fate of Giant-Man" - On his deathbed, Giant-Man's radiation poisoning is cured by a transfusion from [[Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)|Spider-Woman]].

* ''[[West Coast Avengers|West Cost Avengers Annual]]'' #3 (October 1988); "The Evolutionary War, Part 9: Tails You Win!" - After a long absence, Bill Foster regains his powers and becomes Giant-Man again to help the [[West Coast Avengers]] battle the [[High Evolutionary]] in the [[Savage Land]].

* ''Marvel Super-Heroes (vol. 3)'' #11 (October 1992); "Not to Touch the Earth" - Giant-Man battles Air Walker.

* ''[[Marvel Comics Presents]]'' #113-118 (1992-1993); "Rest and Sweet Glory, Parts 1-6" - Giant-Man defeats [[Doctor Nemesis]] and [[Atlas (comics)|Goliath]] in their scheme.

* ''[[Avengers (comics)|The Avengers]]'' #379-382 (October 1994-January 1995) - An energy disruption's effect on Pym particles causes Bill Foster to lose control of his growth powers.

* ''[[Thing (comics)|The Thing]]'' (2nd series) #1 (January 2006); "Fun'n'Games, Part 1: Money Changes Everything" - Foster returns to adventuring and takes up the identity of Goliath.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Foster, Bill}}

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