It’s a pity Bill Foster’s role in the Marvel movies didn’t see him in action in the Black Goliath costume. Further disappointing is his absence during Captain America: Civil War, as his death by the hands of a Thor-cyborg proved pivotal in the comics’ Civil War story arc. Granted, the whole Civil War arc in the movies was substantially shorter than in the comics.
Here we examine the market for a few of the key Black Goliath comics.
Dr. William Foster’s first appearance occurred in The Avengers #32. In this issue, Hank Pym gets stuck in an enlarged size, and seeks the help of a biochemist, Bill Foster. At the same time, the Avengers have to deal with the threat posed by the Sons of the Serpent.
Below is sales data for the book graded in CGC 9.6, 9.2, and 9.0 (the top 13.4%, 44.7%, and 55.3% of the census, respectively). 9.6 is in grey, 9.2 blue, 9.0 orange.
Across the various grades, the sales prices for the book trend somewhere between flat to slightly upwards. There is little difference between the growth rate at the higher end of 9.6 (13.4% of top) than there is at the middle of 9.0 (55.3% of top).
While this issue contains Bill Foster’s first appearance, it also has the first appearance of the Sons of the Serpent. If they ever get their day in the film and tv Sun, it could offer a boost to the sales prices.
It would take almost a decade after Bill Foster’s first appearance until he finally made his first appearance as the superhero Black Goliath in Power Man #24. In this issue, Bill Foster is overcome with jealousy when he sees his ex-wife Claire Temple together with Luke Cage. As the Black Goliath, Bill fights with Luke. Their differences are set aside when they join together against the common foes of the Ringmaster and the Circus of Crime.
Similar to above, we examine sales for a cross-section of this book; specifically, the grades CGC 9.6, 9.4, and 9.0, which represent the top 23.7%, 48.5%, and 79.4% of the census, respectively. 9.6 is in grey, 9.4 blue, 9.0 orange.
The trends for Power Man #24 are similar to Avengers #32. Unfortunately flat.
The Black Goliath saw his first self-titled series in 1976 with Black Goliath #1. The story focuses on Bill’s internal debate about whether to pursue life as a scientist or a superhero. Meanwhile, he stops a string of robberies and battles against the Atom-Smasher.
Compared with the previous books, Black Goliath #1 experienced the most benefit in sales price bump during the run up to the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp. Both peaked in mid-2018. A 9.8 sold for as much as $399.95. While there’s not enough sales since to establish a new trend, it highly probably that the book’s value will retrace much of the bump it got from the movie. Unless a Black Goliath headliner is announced soon, it’s best to sell this book as soon as possible.
GIANT-MAN AND GOLIATH
Throughout the comics, Black Goliath wasn’t the only alias used by Bill Foster, he also went by Giant-Man and Goliath. Dr. William Foster’s 1st appearance as Giant-Man was in Marvel Two-in-One #55 (1979); 1st appearance as Goliath was in The Thing #1 (2006). They are a must have to complete a Bill Foster collection; but compared with the three books above, neither of these books have attained high enough value or volume of sales for investment.
THE BOTTOM LINE
- The Avengers #32 (September 1966) – HOLD/REDUCE
- Power Man #24 (April 1975) - REDUCE
- Black Goliath #1 – STRONG SELL
“So, why don't you call it quits little man, before I really start throwing my weight around.” – Bill Foster
