‘What If…?’ Season 2: Bill Foster’s Goliath Is the Newest Member of the Avengers
‘What If…?’ Season 2 has begun, and two episodes have already been released. The initial episode provided a glimpse of an alternate reality where Nebula joined the Nova Corps and parted ways with the Black Order in a timely manner. The second episode not only showcased the potential threat posed by Peter Quill but also introduced an alternative lineup for the Avengers. Among the new ‘What If…?’ Avengers is Bill Foster’s Goliath, a character familiar to MCU audiences. Let’s delve into his character with a bit more depth.
Who is Bill Foster in the MCU?
Bill Foster made his debut in the first Ant-Man movie. While working at S.H.I.E.L.D., Foster collaborated with Hank Pym on Project G.O.L.I.A.T.H., utilizing Pym Particles to reach a height of at least twenty-one feet. A disagreement with Pym prompted Foster to depart the project, preceding Pym’s exit from S.H.I.E.L.D.
In later years, S.H.I.E.L.D. assigned Foster to investigate a Quantum Anomaly in Argentina. He uncovered that Ava Starr, daughter of his late friend Elihas Starr, caused the anomaly. Elihas’s work with a Quantum Tunnel led to his demise and that of his wife, exposing Ava to Quantum Energy during a tunnel overload.
Discovering Ava in an orphanage, Foster, a friend of her father, gifted her a stuffed bear. Ava grappled with controlling her newfound powers, and Foster aided her in gaining mastery. Becoming Ava’s surrogate father, Foster pledged to find a cure for her condition. Despite his efforts, S.H.I.E.L.D. subjected Ava to tests, transforming her into their lethal operative.
Fortunately, Ava was eventually rescued. Although Foster demonstrated the potential to utilize his Pym-particles-induced powers, he faded from the spotlight after his Goliath debut, until his reappearance in ‘What If…?’
Goliath is the new member of the Avengers, and he is powerful
In the second episode of ‘What If…?’ Season 2, chaos ensues on Earth as Peter Quill, dispatched by his father Ego, aims to detonate the celestial seedling and initiate the Expansion. Recognizing the impending celestial threat, Howard Stark and Peggy Carter comprehend the necessity of assembling a team of superpowered individuals. One of their first calls goes to the esteemed scientist, Bill Foster, widely known as Goliath.
In his Goliath persona, Foster possesses the same powers and abilities as seen in both the MCU and comic iterations. His capacity to increase size comes with proportional enhancements in strength and durability, all regulated by a specialized suit that optimizes control over his powers, mirroring others in the Ant family.
During the confrontation, Goliath endeavors to trap young Peter Quill beneath a metal roof, but the boy’s celestial powers prove overwhelming. Goliath also actively engages in the battle at the Mojave Desert against Ego’s Stone Men. While successful against the initial waves, he succumbs to the overwhelming force before Peter experiences a change of heart, ultimately destroying his father.
The new Avengers in the ‘What If…?’ are mostly old faces
Bill Foster isn’t the sole addition to the new Avengers lineup; the conclusion of the episode indicates that Earth’s mightiest superheroes have welcomed several more members. Alongside Bill Foster, anticipation builds for Hank Pym, resuming his role as Ant-Man, and T’Chaka, the Wakandan king, stepping into the mantle of Black Panther. Wendy Lawson takes on the Captain Marvel role as Mar-Vell, while Bucky Barnes joins the team as the Winter Soldier, a formidable assassin with an unyielding demeanor.
Peggy Carter assumes the mantle of Captain America, and Thor promptly joins the team following Peter Quill’s electrifying contribution. Notably, Mar-Vell’s cat, Goose, graces the lineup, adding a feline touch that MCU enthusiasts are sure to appreciate.
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