Who was Peter David? Celebrated writer of Hulk, Aquaman, and Spider-Man 2099 dies at 68

Netizens and avid comic readers are stunned by the loss of Peter David, a creative mind in the movie and comic industry. On Sunday, May 26, 2025, it was announced that popular creative writer Peter David, known for works such as Hulk, Aquaman, Spider-Man 2099, Super Girl, Captain Marvel, and Young Justice, passed away at age 68.

Peter, whose full name was Peter Allen David, was a successful American writer born on September 23, 1956. The X-Factor writer has a long history of writing Superhero Fantasy and Science Fiction and has received several notable awards, including Eisner Award for Best Writer/Artist or Writer/Artist Team, Golden Duck Award for Young Adult Series, Australian OZCon 1995 Award for Favorite International Writer, Julie Award for achievements in multiple genres, and GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book, to mention a few.

Peter David was born to Gunter and Dalia David in Fort Meade, Maryland, and was the oldest of three children. It is reported that Peter’s interest in comics began as early as he was five years old, with Superman being his favourite hero growing up. The Nickelodeon’s Space Cases writer graduated from New York University with a degree in Journalism.

He began his career in writing in 1974, and although he shifted his focus to different genres over time, Peter was a writer till his death in 2025. He was survived by four children: Shana, Guinevere, Ariel, and Caroline.

More details about the death of Peter David

Peter David’s health began to decline in 2010, and his wife Kathleen O'Shea took to his official website in June to announce that the comic writer had undergone a successful surgery to relieve serious back pain.

In 2012, Peter suffered from a stroke during a vacation in Florida, causing loss of feeling in his right arm and leg and leading to partial blindness in his right eye. After physical therapy, Peter's condition improved.

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In 2015, Peter was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and in 2022, a gofundme was launched by close friend Graham Murphy, who shared that Peter suffered from another health decline after experiencing kidney failure, another series of strokes, and a mild heart attack. Peter was announced dead in May 2025.

Peter's childhood friend Keith, who also served as his best man in his first marriage, honoured his legacy with a social media post:

“Just got the news that Peter David finally lost his rather lengthy battle with his failing physical form last night. Over the last three-and-a-half decades, he has been a respected creator, a good friend, a valued colleague, and a generally wonderful person.”

Read more: Peter David, legendary comic book writer behind The Incredible Hulk and X-Factor, dies at 68

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