On May 24, 2025, the comic book world lost one of its most influential and beloved creators, Peter David, who passed away at the age of 68 after a prolonged battle with severe health issues, including kidney disease, strokes, and a mild heart attack. David had made amazing transformative contributions to comics while fans expressed dismay at the lack of institutional support he received from major publishers, particularly Marvel Comics, during his medical and financial struggles.
Peter David, often referred to as PAD, was a titan in the comic book industry, known for his ability to infuse depth, humor, and real-world relevance into superhero narratives. Born on September 23, 1956, in Fort Meade, Maryland, David’s journey into comics began as a child reading Harvey Comics and Superman, eventually leading him to a career that spanned Marvel, DC, and independent publishers. His work is characterized by its emotional resonance, sharp wit, and innovative storytelling, often blending metafiction and social commentary to elevate characters and stories.
However, David’s most celebrated contribution is his 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk (1987–1998), which redefined the character for a generation. Before David, the Hulk was often a one-dimensional “monster” figure, but David explored Bruce Banner’s psychological complexity, delving into themes of abuse, multiple personality disorder, diseases, and identity. He introduced iconic concepts like the Professor Hulk and the Maestro, a dark future version of the character, which have influenced modern portrayals in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), including Avengers: Endgame and She-Hulk.
While Maestro was obviously inspired from Jim Starlin's Strange Tales run as far as Magus was concerned, his groundbreaking "Future Imperfect " series painted a much bleaker setting with a batshit alternative Hulk.
And it was his work on The Incredible Hulk that earned him a 1992 Eisner Award alongside artist Dale Keown, cementing his legacy as a definitive voice for the character.
But his run didn't go without a bit of controversy that ignited some backlash well, at least from me.
After reading "Blood" where it was revealed that long time supporting character Jim Wilson has AIDS, I was pissed off. Not only was Jim a comfort to the Hulk, but in a world where there were far less Black American characters in comics, using a black man as a proxy for AIDS awareness was a bad idea, if not racist.
The following issues later, as in Hulk #420, Wilson was begging Banner for a blood transfusion y'know, the one he gave his cousin Jennifer Walter's, as a last ditch effort to save him from dying. Banner i.e. Professor Hulk refused. Jim died.
A Decade later, I called David out and even chastised him, but the son of a bitch didn't hold back and the thread was a mini firestorm with us hurling insults back and forth but after the dust had settled, we called a truce and I did tell him how much of a great writer he is. He was glad to acknowledge it and to be honest, I wish I would've addressed my concerns without coming off toxic.
That is the problem of being on these forums. The toxicity can poison one's mind after awhile. Truth be told, Pete was a genius along the likes of Roger Stern, Danny o' Neil, Chris Clairemont, Bill Mantlo and of course, Jim Starlin.
But despite his monumental contributions, Peter David faced significant health and financial challenges in his later years. Beginning with a stroke in 2012, followed by diagnoses of Type 2 diabetes, kidney failure, additional strokes, and a mild heart attack, David’s health deteriorated significantly. By 2022, his medical expenses had depleted his insurance and personal funds, and in 2024, Medicaid dropped his coverage, leaving him and his wife, Kathleen O’Shea David, in dire financial straits.
A GoFundMe campaign, initiated by family friend Graham Murphy, raised over $117,000 to help cover mounting medical bills, reflecting the immense love and respect fans had for David. Kathleen noted in a December 2024 update that the family was appealing Medicaid’s rejection, but the financial burden continued to grow.
The comic book community rallied around David, with fans and creators like David Pepose sharing the fundraiser on social media, urging support for a man whose work had brought “hundreds of hours of joy.” However, the absence of substantial support from Marvel Comics, a company that profited immensely from David’s creations, drew sharp criticism. There was a poster called @ShempMeister accusing Marvel of turning their back on David while continuing to profit from reprints of his work and adaptations like *Spider-Man 2099* and *Thunderbolts*, which featured characters he created or developed.
Someone else on social media highlighted that Marvel could have offered David an exclusive contract with medical insurance but chose not to, despite his decades of service.
While other sources suggest Marvel provided support during earlier health crises, with Kathleen noting in a Reddit thread that “Marvel and Disney were extremely supportive and helped him to get the best care possible” during a previous emergency.
Unfortunately, the lack of sustained assistance during his later years, particularly after Medicaid’s rejection, paints a troubling picture. The contrast is stark: Marvel continues to publish omnibuses of David’s work, such as X-Factor and Hulk Visionaries, and benefits from his characters in blockbuster films, yet failed to offer consistent financial or medical support when he needed it most.
Fans including yours truly, pointed out the broader issue of the comic industry’s treatment of freelancers, with one Reddit user noting that even creators with “millions” in earnings can be wiped out by a single hospital visit, as royalties for film adaptations are rarely shared.
This situation underscores a systemic issue in the comic book industry: the exploitation of freelance creators. While Marvel and DC are billion-dollar companies, their business models often leave writers and artists without healthcare or long-term financial security. David’s case is not unique—similar stories, like that of Bill Mantlo, prompted public shaming before Marvel offered aid. The outcry on social media reflects a growing sentiment that companies profiting from creators’ intellectual property should provide better support, especially for those whose work defines their legacy.
David’s contributions, from Spider-Man 2099 to the modern Hulk, generated significant revenue for Marvel, yet the company’s inaction suggests a prioritization of profit over creator welfare.
However, it’s worth considering the complexity of Marvel’s position. As a corporate entity, Marvel may argue that freelancers like David are not employees entitled to benefits, and providing aid to one creator could set a precedent for others.
Yet, this argument falters when considering David’s outsized impact and the moral obligation to support a creator whose work continues to generate income. The GoFundMe’s success shows that fans were willing to step in where Marvel did not, but it also highlights the inequity of a system where creators must rely on crowdfunding while corporations reap the rewards.
Last post I received from his wife Kathleen via GoFundme was that the fundraiser has been shut down and while Peter had recovered, there were a few cryptic comments leading to a world of uncertainty.
Upon learning of Pete's death, I did some mining and discovered that David has responded to a post I made well over a decade ago. Had I known back then, I would've responded to him about the in joke since he assumed that I thought Six Million Dollar Man was inspired by Marvel's Deathlok, when in truth, I knew it was the opposite.
With him getting better, and the fundraiser being closed, I was happy to do my part. But now I regret not making an attempt to reach out and check on him especially if he was on the social media platforms. Yeah, I had my critiques of him back then, but I think he was a good man and a stand up person who gave transparency to marginalized groups like the LGBTQ in comics before it became fashionable.
Peter David’s passing is a profound loss, but his legacy endures through his stories and the characters he shaped. His ability to humanize superheroes, from the Hulk’s inner turmoil to Aquaman’s reinvention, set a standard for character-driven storytelling including his work on Young Justice and video games, showcasing a prolific career that touched multiple mediums.. Although his work continues to inspire, its David's story that also serves as a call to action for the industry to better support its creators as his final years were marked by a struggle that Marvel Comics failed to adequately address. The community’s support through GoFundMe was a testament to his influence, but it also exposed the industry’s shortcomings.
As David's fans revisit his iconic runs, they/we are reminded of the need for systemic change to ensure creators are valued beyond their contributions to corporate profits.
Rest easy, Pete.
J