Goliath

Origin

William Foster grew up in a poor neighborhood. He was able to escape the ghetto due to his natural intelligence and encouragement of those around him. He attended the California Technical Institute and then enlisted in the military.

After graduating, Foster worked his way up the corporate ladder at Stark Industries. When the scientist/superhero Hank Pym was stuck at a minimum of ten feet tall, Tony Stark asked Foster to use his intellect to work with Pym. Some time later, they were able to find a cure for Pym.

All this work with Pym and his Pym Particles led Foster to try to synthesize his own growth formula. He was able to create his own formula without the side effects. He decided to use the formula as part of a plan to win back his ex-wife. He wrote to her and said he was stuck at ten feet tall and was working in a circus in order to make money to continue his research. He had made a costume for himself and went by the name Black Goliath.

She went to see him along with her current boyfriend, Luke Cage (the hero known as Power Man). Black Goliath and Power Man fought but eventually worked together when they realized the circus was being run by the Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime.

Bill would later become a Technical Adviser for the short lived Champions.

After that stint, he was employed by Project Pegasus as a Biochemical Researcher. Bill would team-up with his good friend the Thing and other heroes during this time of his life.

Bill also attended the Defenders for a day rally.

Unfortunately Bill contracted radiation poisoning through his many battles with the villain Atom-Smasher. The hero known as Jessica Drew would save his life, with a blood transfusion. He lost his powers for this short time period.

Bill would gain his powers back, after teaming-up with some members of the Avengers Westcoast against the High Evolutionary durning the Evolutionary War.

CIVIL WAR

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When the U.S. government passed the Superhuman Registration Act that required all super humans to disclose their true identity, Foster worked with Captain America and his Secret Avengers. It was their goal to liberate those that had been taken into custody for refusing to register. When the Secret Avengers received new identities courtesy of S.H.I.E.L.D, Goliath took the alias Rockwell Dodsworth.

In a battle against Iron Man, Reed Richards, and other supporters of the Registration, Foster was killed by Ragnarok - a clone of Thor, the Asgardian thunder god. A funeral was held for Goliath, with Heroes from both sides in attendance. Goliath was buried at his full size, after they were unable to shrink him back down.
His nephew Tom Foster has took over the mantle, calling himself Black Goliath as a tribute to his lost uncle.

Alternate Versions

Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness

A zombified Black Goliath attacks the fortress of Doctor Doom known as Doomshadt. He is repelled by Doom's forces as he is impaled by several large missiles and killed when they explode while still within him.

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 NYC .

MC-2 Universe

Bill Foster was seen within the series as his son, John Foster becomes the new Earth Sentry.