Why Peter David Is Dominating Headlines Today: Major Update on the Legendary Marvel Writer

Peter David, the prolific comics and science-fiction writer whose pen reshaped The Incredible Hulk, X-Factor, and Spider-Man 2099, has passed away at the age of 68, his family confirmed on May 25, 2025. According to the announcement, David died peacefully after several years of serious health complications that included kidney disease, minor strokes, and escalating medical costs. Fans learned in March that the Eisner-winning author had lost Medicaid coverage, leaving his family struggling to keep up with mounting bills. A GoFundMe campaign organized by friends and colleagues helped offset expenses, but his condition reportedly worsened in recent weeks. Best known for a record-setting 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, David re-defined Bruce Banner by introducing the “Joe Fixit” Gray Hulk persona and exploring the hero’s dissociative identity disorder, a storyline many readers cite as the definitive take on the character. His work on X-Factor blended superhero action with soap-opera intrigue, earning multiple industry awards, while Spider-Man 2099 gave Marvel its first major Latino Spider-Man hero, Miguel O’Hara, years before Miles Morales swung onto the scene. Beyond comics, David authored dozens of Star Trek novels, movie novelizations for Spider-Man and Hulk, and original series such as Sir Apropos of Nothing. His witty dialogue, knack for character psychology, and willingness to tackle mature themes made him a favorite at both Marvel and DC, where he also scripted landmark Aquaman and Supergirl runs. Tributes poured in across social media within minutes of the news. Fellow writer Gail Simone called David “a master of character voice and one of the friendliest pros I ever met.” Current Hulk scribe Phillip Kennedy Johnson wrote that David’s work “set the bar for every Hulk writer who followed.” Hashtag campaigns #ThankYouPeterDavid and #RIPHulkWriter trended worldwide as readers shared panels, quotes, and convention photos. Industry historians credit David with helping to steer Marvel through the turbulent 1990s by keeping mid-tier books on the bestseller list. His X-Factor Investigations relaunch in 2005 proved that a quirky, dialogue-driven team book could thrive during the company’s blockbuster event era, influencing the modern tone of books like Immortal Hulk and Immortal Thor. David is survived by his wife, novelist Kathleen O’Shea David, and their children. The family has asked fans to consider donating to the Hero Initiative or the still-active medical GoFundMe in lieu of flowers. Funeral arrangements will be private, with a public memorial planned for later this summer at New York Comic Con, where David had been a fixture for decades. Marvel Entertainment is reportedly preparing an “In Memoriam” page that will run in all August 2025 titles, while DC Comics will dedicate this week’s Superman releases to his memory. For readers eager to revisit his seminal stories, Marvel Unlimited highlights The Incredible Hulk #331–467, X-Factor #70–149, and Spider-Man 2099 #1–46. Trade paperbacks of Star Trek: Imzadi and The New Frontier are also being fast-tracked for reprint following a surge in retailer orders overnight. Peter David’s career spanned nearly four decades, hundreds of comics, and millions of printed words. His unmistakable voice—equal parts humor, heart, and humanity—leaves an indelible mark on pop culture, ensuring that while the man is gone, his stories will keep smashing, swinging, and exploring strange new worlds for generations to come.