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Bill Foster (comics)
Encyclopedia
Dr. Bill Foster, also known as Black Goliath, the second Giant-Man
, and the fourth Goliath
, is a fictional character
, a comic book
superhero
in the Marvel Comics
universe
.
with powers similar to Giant-Man
's, increasing his size and mass to gigantic proportions. He was created by Stan Lee
and Don Heck
in The Avengers
#32 (September 1966). His "Black Goliath" persona was created by Tony Isabella
and George Tuska
in Power Man
#24 (April 1975). Foster became the second Giant-Man in Marvel Two-in-One
#55 (September 1979). He became yet the fourth Goliath in The Thing
(vol. 2) #1 (January 2006).
Although he became a superhero
years after his initial appearance, Bill Foster is the third African American
comic book
character to become a superhero
.
Black Goliath is also the name of the short-lived comic book starring the character, which ran for 5 issues in 1976.
Bill Foster has appeared in the pages various comic books, including among others The Avengers, Power Man, Marvel Two-in-One
, The Champions
, The Defenders
, Marvel Super-Heroes (vol. 3), Marvel Comics Presents
, and Civil War.
The character was killed in the fourth issue of the series Civil War.
. Biochemist Dr. Bill Foster works in the Plans and Research Division for Tony Stark
's Baltimore factory
. He is hired to be the biochemical laboratory assistant of Dr. Henry Pym
(a.k.a. Giant-Man). Pym is stuck at the height of 10 feet (3 m) for a time and at the behest of Stark, Dr. Foster helps Pym find a cure to change his size back to normal. Foster continues to work as Pym's lab assistant. Foster later investigates the seeming deaths of Henry Pym and Janet Van Dyne
.
Dr. Foster moves to the West Coast and at some point acquires the formula to "Pym particles" 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
. He later battles Atom-Smasher, the second Vulcan, and Stilt-Man
. The mercenary Warhawk
kills Atom-Smasher, and flees before Black Goliath can catch him.
Black Goliath later assists the Champions of Los Angeles
in battling Stilt-Man, then joins the group part-time as their technical advisor. Alongside Ben Grimm, the Thing
, Black Goliath battles the Hijacker
. After the Champions disband, Black Goliath, along with a large group of other heroes, attends a Defenders
membership rally. This incarnation of the Defenders battles a number of assembled superhuman criminals for only one mission before disbanding.
, the U.S. government's semi-secret energy research facility, as a biochemical researcher. While there he reveals his identity of Black Goliath to the Thing
, who at the time is working in security for Project: Pegasus. In the process of answering an emergency alarm, Foster decides to change his name to Giant-Man at Ben Grimm's (the afformentioned Thing) suggestion. Alongside the Thing, Quasar
, and the Aquarian
, Giant-Man defends Project: Pegasus against Nuklo
, the Grapplers
, Klaw, Solarr
, and the Nth Man
. After working at Project: Pegasus for a short time Foster reveals that he is dying from radiation poisoning he contracted in his earlier fight with Atom-Smasher.
Alongside the Thing and Iceman
, he battles the Circus of Crime again. Alongside the Thing and Captain America
, he battles MODOK
and AIM
. Alongside the Thing and Spider-Woman
, Giant-Man battles the second Atom-Smasher, brother of the original. Foster's radiation poisoning takes a turn for the worse and he lies on his death bed. Spider-Woman is immune to radiation at the time, so Foster is given a blood transfusion from Spider-Woman. The process cures his radiation poisoning, but ends Spider-Woman's immunity to radiation, and removes Giant-Man's powers as well.
. Foster is a scientist working for the High Evolutionary
at his base in the Savage Land
. After discovering the High Evolutionary's plans for a genetic bomb, Foster sends a distress message to the West Coast Avengers
. 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. This was the last mention of Foster's cancer. Giant-Man later defeats Ant-Man's old foe Doctor Nemesis and Goliath in their scheme.
After losing his powers, Dr. Foster joins the staff of the Centers for Disease Control. In this capacity he helps the Avengers deal with a bio-weapon released near Mount Rushmore
.
and The Falcon
), although there is no explanation of how he has regained his powers.
Foster dons the identity of Goliath again (along with a new costume and without the modifying "Black") to first help the Thing deal with a supervillain (along with hitting him up for a research grant), then help Spider-Man
track down the Hulk
in order for Bruce Banner to possibly deal with Spider-Man's cellular degeneration.
When the Civil War breaks out, Goliath is seen as a member of Captain America
's anti-registration Secret Avengers, adopting the alias of Rockwell Dodsworth. He subsequently appears briefly amongst the cavalcade of other super-heroes attending the wedding of the Black Panther
and Storm.
Foster is killed by a clone
of Thor
during a battle between the Secret Avengers and Iron Man
's pro-registration forces. His death was predicted by Deadpool in a Cable & Deadpool
side-series (Vols. 1-3) who, described Goliath as "deserving of death and worse," during a skirmish before the big fight. Goliath's last words are "Get ready for the shortest comeback in history, Thor!" before the Thor clone blows a hole through his chest with lightning.
"Having died at giant size, and with the biological changes that go on in a human body after life has left, such as rigor mortis and the like, Goliath's body could not have been returned to its normal size by Pym Particle exposure again without destroying it-- it would have torn itself apart under the strain. They could perhaps have done so later on, but by that point it would have begun to smell" (quote from Tom Brevoort, editor of Marvel's Civil War), so Foster is buried as a giant, with Tony Stark (Iron Man) paying for the thirty-eight burial plots required to accommodate him. His death affected the balance of forces in the war, leading several previously pro-Registration figures to go to Cap's side, most notably the Invisible Woman
, the Human Torch
, and Spider-Man
, along with the Black Panther
and Storm who were neutral before Foster's death; his death also led some formerly anti-Registration heroes to join Iron Man's side.
informs the Black Panther that he intends to follow in his uncle's footsteps by cracking the Pym Particle formula and becoming a hero. The Panther promises to help him achieve his goal. When the Hulk returns to earth to take revenge on the heroes who sent him into space, Tom Foster can be seen watching the fight between Iron Man and the Hulk. Later, he publicly denounced Reed Richards and Tony Stark for their hand in his uncle's death.
Afterwards, Tom Foster recreates and drinks the formula originally created by his uncle, and becomes the new Goliath, and a member of Damage Control
.
dug up Foster's grave and removed his clavicle, hoping to use the Pym particle residue to track down Henry Pym's Mighty Avengers. It is later broken in half by Osborn in a fit of rage after hearing Hank Pym declare his team to be "the real Avengers" on national television. When Hercules ventures into the underworld, Foster can be seen in Erebus: the place in between life and death where those who feel they still have business in the mortal world (ranging from Ancient One
, Banshee
, Baron Heinrich Zemo
, Blink
, Cobalt Man
, Commander Kraken
, Cypher
, Darkstar
, Elvis Presley
, Hippolyta
, Jackal
, Jack of Hearts
, Jack O'Lantern
, Namorita
, Orka
, Puck
, Scourge of the Underworld
, U-Go Girl
, Veranke
, and Wasp
) linger and gamble for their resurrection.
Foster was able to routinely grow to 15 feet (4.6 m) in height, and could lift approximately ten tons at that height. After regaining his powers during the "Evolutionary War
", his level of power increased, and although precise quantification was not provided, he has demonstrated the ability to grow to 25 feet (7.6 m) in height.
Bill Foster has a Ph. D. in biochemistry, and is a brilliant biochemist with a gifted intellect.
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. A different zombified Black Goliath shows up 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. This Goliath is destroyed in an attack by human-friendly forces.
, Bill Foster is seen within the series as his son, John Foster, becomes the new Earth Sentry
.
.
Giant-Man
Giant-Man is the alias used by a number of Marvel Comics' fictional characters :* Henry Pym, the original character who has also used other aliases, like Ant-Man and Yellowjacket....
, and the fourth Goliath
Goliath (comics)
Goliath, in comics, may refer to:* Marvel Comics characters:** Henry Pym, was the first to adopt the name Goliath and has also gone by Giant-Man, Ant-Man, and Yellowjacket....
, is a fictional character
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...
, a 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...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
in the 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...
universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
.
Publication history
Dr. Foster is an African AmericanAfrican American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
with powers similar to Giant-Man
Henry Pym
Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. Created by editor and plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber and penciler Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #27...
's, increasing his size and mass to gigantic proportions. He was created by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Don Heck
Don Heck
Don Heck was an American comic book artist best known for co-creating the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, and for his long run penciling the Marvel superhero-team series The Avengers during the 1960s Silver Age of comic books.-Early life and career:Born in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New...
in The Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
#32 (September 1966). His "Black Goliath" persona was created by Tony Isabella
Tony Isabella
Tony Isabella is an American comic book writer, editor, artist and critic, known as the creator and writer of Marvel Comics' Black Goliath, DC Comics' first major African American superhero, Black Lightning, and as a columnist and critic for the Comics Buyer's Guide.-Marvel Comics:Before he joined...
and George Tuska
George Tuska
George Tuska , who early in his career used a variety of pen names including Carl Larson, was an American comic book and newspaper comic strip artist best known for his 1940s work on various Captain Marvel titles and the crime fiction series Crime Does Not Pay, for and his 1960s work illustrating...
in Power Man
Luke Cage
Luke Cage is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., he first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1...
#24 (April 1975). Foster became the second Giant-Man in Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-In-One was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics that featured the Fantastic Four member, the Thing, in a different team-up each issue with a different character. The series continued from the team-up stories starring the Thing in the final two issues of Marvel...
#55 (September 1979). He became yet the fourth Goliath in The Thing
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
(vol. 2) #1 (January 2006).
Although he became a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
years after his initial appearance, Bill Foster is the third African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
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...
character to become a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
.
Black Goliath is also the name of the short-lived comic book starring the character, which ran for 5 issues in 1976.
Bill Foster has appeared in the pages various comic books, including among others The Avengers, Power Man, Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-In-One was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics that featured the Fantastic Four member, the Thing, in a different team-up each issue with a different character. The series continued from the team-up stories starring the Thing in the final two issues of Marvel...
, The Champions
Champions (comics)
The Champions are a team of superheroes that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in The Champions #1 The Champions are a team of superheroes that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in The Champions #1 The Champions are a...
, The Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
, Marvel Super-Heroes (vol. 3), Marvel Comics Presents
Marvel Comics Presents
Marvel Comics Presents was an American comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics originally from 1988 to 1995; it returned for a second volume in 2007-2008.-Volume 1:The first volume was released on a biweekly basis and lasted for 175 issues...
, and Civil War.
The character was killed in the fourth issue of the series Civil War.
Origin
Bill Foster was born in Watts, Los Angeles, CaliforniaWatts, Los Angeles, California
Watts is a mostly residential neighborhood in South Los Angeles, California.-History:The area now known as Watts is located on the Rancho La Tajauta Mexican land grant...
. Biochemist Dr. Bill Foster works in the Plans and Research Division for Tony Stark
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
's Baltimore factory
Factory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
. He is hired to be the biochemical laboratory assistant of Dr. Henry Pym
Henry Pym
Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. Created by editor and plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber and penciler Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #27...
(a.k.a. Giant-Man). Pym is stuck at the height of 10 feet (3 m) for a time and at the behest of Stark, Dr. Foster helps Pym find a cure to change his size back to normal. Foster continues to work as Pym's lab assistant. Foster later investigates the seeming deaths of Henry Pym and Janet Van Dyne
Wasp (comics)
The Wasp is a fictional character, a superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe and founding member of The Avengers. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #44 ....
.
Black Goliath
His origin blurb from the first page of his self-titled book reads: "BILL FOSTER - Dr. William Barrett Foster, DSc, 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."Dr. Foster moves to the West Coast and at some point acquires the formula to "Pym particles" which give him the ability to grow in size like his former employer. Taking the name Black Goliath, he helps Power Man
Luke Cage
Luke Cage is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., he first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1...
fight the Circus of Crime
Circus of Crime
The Circus of Crime is a fictional villainous organization in the Marvel Comics universe.-Old West:Oddly, there were two organizations in the Old West who dubbed themselves the Circus of Crime...
. He later battles Atom-Smasher, the second Vulcan, and Stilt-Man
Stilt-Man
Stilt-Man is the name of two supervillains in Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Stilt-Man first appeared in Daredevil vol. 1 #8 and was one of his earliest enemies. He is a criminal wearing a suit of armor with powerful telescopic legs .The character did not age well, as his powers were more a...
. The mercenary Warhawk
Warhawk (Marvel Comics)
Warhawk is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:Warhawk was a master assassin used by the C.I.A. in Vietnam who later went insane and battled Iron Fist. Later, Warhawk regained his sanity and became a costumed criminal for hire...
kills Atom-Smasher, and flees before Black Goliath can catch him.
Black Goliath later assists the Champions of Los Angeles
Champions (comics)
The Champions are a team of superheroes that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in The Champions #1 The Champions are a team of superheroes that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team first appears in The Champions #1 The Champions are a...
in battling Stilt-Man, then joins the group part-time as their technical advisor. Alongside Ben Grimm, the Thing
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
, Black Goliath battles the Hijacker
Hijacker (comics)
Hijacker is a fictional American comic book character owned by Marvel Comics who exists in that company's Marvel Universe.Hijacker was a gimmick-laden villain who specialized in stealing technology for later resale in criminal auctions....
. After the Champions disband, Black Goliath, along with a large group of other heroes, attends a Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
membership rally. This incarnation of the Defenders battles a number of assembled superhuman criminals for only one mission before disbanding.
The Project: Pegasus Saga
Dr. Foster later joins the staff of Project PegasusProject Pegasus
Project Pegasus is a fictional scientific base in the Marvel Comics universe which has been the location of a variety of stories for superheroes and supervillains, most notably in the title Marvel Two-in-One...
, the U.S. government's semi-secret energy research facility, as a biochemical researcher. While there he reveals his identity of Black Goliath to the Thing
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
, who at the time is working in security for Project: Pegasus. In the process of answering an emergency alarm, Foster decides to change his name to Giant-Man at Ben Grimm's (the afformentioned Thing) suggestion. Alongside the Thing, Quasar
Quasar (comics)
Quasar is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the . He is one of Marvel's cosmic heroes, a character whose adventures frequently take him into outer space or other dimensions...
, and the Aquarian
Wundarr the Aquarian
Wundarr the Aquarian is a Marvel Comics character created by Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik in Adventure into Fear #17. His first appearance is thought of as a parody of the origin of Superman.-Publication history:...
, Giant-Man defends Project: Pegasus against Nuklo
Nuklo
Nuklo is a fictional character, mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Publication history:Nuklo first appeared in Giant-Size Avengers #1 , and was created by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Dan Adkins....
, the Grapplers
Grapplers (comics)
The Grapplers are a fictional organization in the Marvel Comics universe. It was a loosely-organized band of female wrestlers, most of whom gained superhuman strength after their first published appearances, through the group known as Power Broker, Inc....
, Klaw, Solarr
Solarr
Solarr is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:Silas King was born in Carson City, Nevada. He was a latent Mutant who worked as a smuggler of illicit narcotics. On a drug run from New York City to Los Angeles, his van broke down in the Mojave Desert...
, and the Nth Man
Nth Man
Nth Man is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Thomas Lightner first appeared as Blacksun in Marvel Two-in-One #21-23 , and was created by Bill Mantlo and Ron Wilson....
. After working at Project: Pegasus for a short time Foster reveals that he is dying from radiation poisoning he contracted in his earlier fight with Atom-Smasher.
Alongside the Thing and Iceman
Iceman (comics)
Iceman is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men vol. 1 #1, ....
, he battles the Circus of Crime again. Alongside the Thing and Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, he battles MODOK
MODOK
MODOK is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #93 MODOK (acronym for Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character...
and AIM
Advanced Idea Mechanics
A.I.M. is a fictional terrorist organization in the . The organization first appeared in Strange Tales #146 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
. Alongside the Thing and Spider-Woman
Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew)
Spider-Woman is a fictional character, a superheroine in the Marvel Comics Universe. The character first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #32 , and 50 issues of an ongoing series titled Spider-Woman followed...
, Giant-Man battles the second Atom-Smasher, brother of the original. Foster's radiation poisoning takes a turn for the worse and he lies on his death bed. Spider-Woman is immune to radiation at the time, so Foster is given a blood transfusion from Spider-Woman. The process cures his radiation poisoning, but ends Spider-Woman's immunity to radiation, and removes Giant-Man's powers as well.
Evolutionary War
He is next seen during the events known as the Evolutionary WarEvolutionary War
The Evolutionary War was a comic book crossover which ran through most of the Summer annuals published by Marvel Comics in 1988. Principal writers included Gerry Conway, Steve Englehart, Louise Simonson, Chris Claremont, and Steve Gerber....
. Foster is a scientist working for the High Evolutionary
High Evolutionary
The High Evolutionary is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The High Evolutionary was first mentioned in The Mighty Thor vol. 1 #133 , and first appears in The Mighty Thor vol. 1 #134 , and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
at his base in the Savage Land
Savage Land
The Savage Land is a hidden prehistoric land within the fictional Marvel Comics Universe. It is a tropical preserve hidden in Antarctica. It was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in X-Men #10...
. After discovering the High Evolutionary's plans for a genetic bomb, Foster sends a distress message to the West Coast Avengers
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
. Mockingbird
Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)
Mockingbird is a fictional character, a superhero in the who first appears in the Ka-Zar story in Astonishing Tales #6 written by Gerry Conway and pencilled by Barry Smith...
, Tigra
Tigra
Tigra is a fictional American comic book superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe. Introduced as the non-superpowered crime fighter The Cat in Claws of the Cat #1 , she was co-created by writer-editor Roy Thomas, writer Linda Fite, and penciller Marie Severin...
, and Moon Knight
Moon Knight
Moon Knight is a fictional character, a mercenary-turned-superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character exists in the Marvel Universe and was created by Doug Moench and Don Perlin...
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. This was the last mention of Foster's cancer. Giant-Man later defeats Ant-Man's old foe Doctor Nemesis and Goliath in their scheme.
Hero no more
Foster soon gives up the Giant-Man identity and Hank Pym subsequently takes it back for himself. Not too long after that, Goliath's ionic powers are disrupted in a battle against the West Coast Avengers. 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 growth and/or shrinking powers. During this storyline it was shown how Foster and Pym were trying to use Pym Particles to end world hunger.After losing his powers, Dr. Foster joins the staff of the Centers for Disease Control. In this capacity he helps the Avengers deal with a bio-weapon released near Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore near Keystone, South Dakota, in the United States...
.
The Last Return
Foster as Black Goliath appears very briefly as part of an ad-hoc team of "urban" superheroes (Luke Cage/Power Man, Iron Fist, Brother VoodooBrother Voodoo
Brother Voodoo is a fictional character, a supernatural superhero in the Marvel Universe. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Gene Colan, he first appears in Strange Tales #169...
and The Falcon
Falcon (comics)
The Falcon is a fictional comic book superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics.Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan, and introduced in Captain America #117 , the character is mainstream comics' first African-American superhero...
), although there is no explanation of how he has regained his powers.
Foster dons the identity of Goliath again (along with a new costume and without the modifying "Black") to first help the Thing deal with a supervillain (along with hitting him up for a research grant), then help 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...
track down the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
in order for Bruce Banner to possibly deal with Spider-Man's cellular degeneration.
Civil War
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
's anti-registration Secret Avengers, adopting the alias of Rockwell Dodsworth. He subsequently appears briefly amongst the cavalcade of other super-heroes attending the wedding of the Black Panther
Black Panther (comics)
The Black Panther is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and penciller-co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #52...
and Storm.
Foster is killed by a clone
Ragnarok (comics)
Ragnarok is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Civil War #3 , and was created by Mark Millar and Steve Mcniven.-Fictional character biography:...
of Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
during a battle between the Secret Avengers and Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
's pro-registration forces. His death was predicted by Deadpool in a Cable & Deadpool
Cable & Deadpool
Cable & Deadpool was a comic book series published by Marvel Comics beginning in 2004. The title characters, Cable and Deadpool, shared the focus of the book. The series was launched following the cancellation of the characters' previous ongoing solo series. The book's mix of humor, action, and...
side-series (Vols. 1-3) who, described Goliath as "deserving of death and worse," during a skirmish before the big fight. Goliath's last words are "Get ready for the shortest comeback in history, Thor!" before the Thor clone blows a hole through his chest with lightning.
"Having died at giant size, and with the biological changes that go on in a human body after life has left, such as rigor mortis and the like, Goliath's body could not have been returned to its normal size by Pym Particle exposure again without destroying it-- it would have torn itself apart under the strain. They could perhaps have done so later on, but by that point it would have begun to smell" (quote from Tom Brevoort, editor of Marvel's Civil War), so Foster is buried as a giant, with Tony Stark (Iron Man) paying for the thirty-eight burial plots required to accommodate him. His death affected the balance of forces in the war, leading several previously pro-Registration figures to go to Cap's side, most notably the Invisible Woman
Invisible Woman
Susan "Sue" Storm Richards is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superheroine created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #1 in November 1961, and was the first female superhero created by Marvel in the Silver Age of Comics...
, the Human Torch
Human Torch
The Human Torch is a fictional character and superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he is a member of the superhero team the Fantastic Four, debuting in The Fantastic Four #1...
, and 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...
, along with the Black Panther
Black Panther (comics)
The Black Panther is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and penciller-co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #52...
and Storm who were neutral before Foster's death; his death also led some formerly anti-Registration heroes to join Iron Man's side.
Heir apparent
Bill's nephew Tom Foster, a student at M.I.T.Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
informs the Black Panther that he intends to follow in his uncle's footsteps by cracking the Pym Particle formula and becoming a hero. The Panther promises to help him achieve his goal. When the Hulk returns to earth to take revenge on the heroes who sent him into space, Tom Foster can be seen watching the fight between Iron Man and the Hulk. Later, he publicly denounced Reed Richards and Tony Stark for their hand in his uncle's death.
Afterwards, Tom Foster recreates and drinks the formula originally created by his uncle, and becomes the new Goliath, and a member of Damage Control
Damage Control (comics)
Damage Control is a fictional construction company appearing in Marvel Comics, which specializes in repairing the property damage caused by conflicts between superheroes and supervillains...
.
Dark Reign
It is shown in Mighty Avengers #24 that Norman OsbornGreen Goblin
The Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....
dug up Foster's grave and removed his clavicle, hoping to use the Pym particle residue to track down Henry Pym's Mighty Avengers. It is later broken in half by Osborn in a fit of rage after hearing Hank Pym declare his team to be "the real Avengers" on national television. When Hercules ventures into the underworld, Foster can be seen in Erebus: the place in between life and death where those who feel they still have business in the mortal world (ranging from Ancient One
Ancient One
The Ancient One is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe. He was the mentor of Doctor Strange and preceded him as Sorcerer Supreme.-Fictional character biography:...
, Banshee
Banshee (comics)
Banshee is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero who operates as a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Werner Roth, Banshee first appeared in X-Men #28 ....
, Baron Heinrich Zemo
Baron Zemo
Baron Zemo is the name of two fictional characters, both supervillains, in various Marvel Comics comic books, notably Captain America and the Avengers...
, Blink
Blink (comics)
Blink is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero featured in various X-Men-related series. Created by Scott Lobdell and Joe Madureira, the character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #317 .-Publication History:...
, Cobalt Man
Cobalt Man
Cobalt Man is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe.-Publication history:Cobalt Man was created by writer Roy Thomas and penciller Werner Roth in X-Men #31 ....
, Commander Kraken
Commander Kraken
Commander Kraken is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Commander Kraken first appeared in Sub-Mariner #27 , and was created by Roy Thomas and Sal Buscema....
, Cypher
Cypher (comics)
Cypher is a fictional mutant character, a superhero from Marvel Comics. He first appeared in New Mutants vol. 1 #13 .-Fictional character biography:Doug Ramsey was born to Philip and Sheila Ramsey...
, Darkstar
Darkstar (comics)
Darkstar is a fictional character, a mutant superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe. She has been a member of various super-teams in her career, including X-Corporation and Champions of Los Angeles.-Fictional character biography:...
, Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, Hippolyta
Hippolyta (Marvel Comics)
Based on the Hippolyta of Greek mythology, Hippolyta is a fictional Amazon character within the Marvel Comics universe.-Fictional character biography:...
, Jackal
Jackal (Marvel Comics)
The Jackal is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 , and was created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Ross Andru. In The Amazing Spider-Man #148 The Jackal is a fictional character that appears in...
, Jack of Hearts
Jack of Hearts
Jack of Hearts is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe.-Publication history:Jack of Hearts first appeared in the black & white magazine Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #22 , and was created by writer Bill Mantlo and illustrator Keith Giffen...
, Jack O'Lantern
Jack O'Lantern (Marvel Comics)
Jack O'Lantern is the name of four fictional supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe. Later incarnations of the character were also referred to as Mad Jack.-Jason Macendale:...
, Namorita
Namorita
Namorita Prentiss is a fictional superhero in the Marvel Universe, commonly known by the name of Nita. She is a mutant clone of her mother, Namora, and a member of the New Warriors. She was killed in the explosion in Stamford that started the Superhero Civil War.-Publication history:Namorita first...
, Orka
Orka (comics)
Orka is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner #23 and was created by writer Roy Thomas and Marie Severin.-Publication history:...
, Puck
Puck (comics)
Puck is the codename of two fictional characters, a father and daughter pair who are both members of Alpha Flight, in the Marvel Comics universe.-Puck :...
, Scourge of the Underworld
Scourge of the Underworld
The Scourge of the Underworld is the name of a series of fictional characters that have appeared in various series set in the Marvel Comics universe....
, U-Go Girl
U-Go Girl
U-Go Girl was a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe, and a member of the superhero team X-Force, as well as X-Statix. She first appeared in X-Force vol...
, Veranke
Veranke
Veranke is a fictional character created by Marvel Comics who serves as the queen of the Skrull empire in the Marvel Universe. She plays a significant role in the events of Secret Invasion as she leads her empire to invade and conquer Earth....
, and Wasp
Wasp (comics)
The Wasp is a fictional character, a superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe and founding member of The Avengers. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #44 ....
) linger and gamble for their resurrection.
Powers and abilities
Bill Foster's superhuman powers are a result of his ingestion of a biochemical formula containing Pym particles. He has the ability to increase his size and mass to a gigantic size by psionically drawing extra mass from an extra-dimensional source while gaining superhuman strength in proportion to his height. The extra mass returns to the extra-dimensional source as he decreases in size. The process of changing height is fatiguing, making Foster more vulnerable to harm, after successive changes.Foster was able to routinely grow to 15 feet (4.6 m) in height, and could lift approximately ten tons at that height. After regaining his powers during the "Evolutionary War
Evolutionary War
The Evolutionary War was a comic book crossover which ran through most of the Summer annuals published by Marvel Comics in 1988. Principal writers included Gerry Conway, Steve Englehart, Louise Simonson, Chris Claremont, and Steve Gerber....
", his level of power increased, and although precise quantification was not provided, he has demonstrated the ability to grow to 25 feet (7.6 m) in height.
Bill Foster has a Ph. D. in biochemistry, and is a brilliant biochemist with a gifted intellect.
Marvel Zombies
A zombified Black Goliath attacks the fortress of Doctor DoomDoctor Doom
Victor von Doom is a fictional character who appears in Marvel Comics publications . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 wearing his trademark metal mask and green cloak...
known as "Doomshadt" in Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness
Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness
Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness is a five-issue 2007 comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics in association with Dynamite Entertainment, an intercompany crossover in which Ash Williams, hero of the popular Evil Dead film and comic book, finds himself in the Marvel Zombies...
#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. A different zombified Black Goliath shows up in Marvel Zombies Return
Marvel Zombies Return
Marvel Zombies Return is a weekly five-issue comic book limited series, published by Marvel Comics in late 2009. It is part of the Marvel Zombies series of comic books.-Publication history:...
. 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. This Goliath is destroyed in an attack by human-friendly forces.
MC-2 Universe
In the pages of A-NextA-Next
A-Next is the Marvel Comics' MC2 universe version of the Avengers. The team made its first appearance in What If? #105, the first comic featuring Spider-Girl, and the team's origin story was told in the A-Next #1, cover dated October 1998....
, Bill Foster is seen within the series as his son, John Foster, becomes the new Earth Sentry
Earth Sentry
Earth Sentry is a fictional character who appeared in the Marvel Comics' MC2 series A-Next.-Fictional character biography:...
.
Ultimate
Goliath was one of the "Giant-Men" created by SHIELD as part of the Ultimate Reserves. He was a former Green Beret and had a tattoo of "Goliath" on his arm. He was killed during the Liberators attack on New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Video games
- Bill Foster in his Goliath alias appears in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 voiced by Emerson Brooks. He appears as a boss character for the Pro-Registration act. He later helps Iron Man, Mister Fantastic, and Yellowjacket research a way to stop The Fold.
Miscellaneous
- Bill Foster appears in #1 of the comic based on the Avengers: United They Stand animated series. He appears as Henry Pym's lab assistant.
External links
- Bill Foster at Marvel.com
- More information on Black Goliath