Peter David, Acclaimed Incredible Hulk and X-Factor Writer, Has Died

Peter David, the esteemed novelist and comic book writer known for his work on titles such as The Incredible Hulk, Young Justice, and X-Factor, has passed away at the age of 68. The news of his death was shared by his friend and colleague, Keith R.A. DeCandido, through a post on Facebook.

Throughout his illustrious career, David made significant contributions to both Marvel and DC Comics over several decades. He is perhaps most celebrated for his remarkable 12-year tenure on Marvel's The Incredible Hulk, where he crafted a narrative that deeply explored the dynamic between Bruce Banner and his alter ego. This work, illustrated by Dale Keown, earned them an Eisner Award in 1992. Much like Frank Miller's iconic run on Daredevil and Chris Claremont's on X-Men, David's work on the Hulk is considered the definitive portrayal of the character.

Art by George Perez. (Image Credit: Marvel)

In addition to his work on The Incredible Hulk, David co-created Spider-Man 2099 and had two influential runs on X-Factor. His initial run transformed the original five X-Men into a government-backed mutant strike force, while his later run reimagined the team as a detective agency under the leadership of Madrox the Multiple Man.

At DC Comics, David left a lasting impact with his work on series like Aquaman, Supergirl, and Young Justice. Beyond the comic book world, he contributed to the Star Trek franchise in both comics and novels, with his 1994 novel Q-Squared being particularly notable.

David's talents extended to television, where he worked on shows such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, and Ben 10: Alien Force. He also lent his writing skills to video games, including Shadow Complex and Spider-Man: Edge of Time.

A Visual History of Hulk

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In recent years, David faced health challenges, beginning with a stroke in 2012. These issues led family friend Graham Murphy to launch GoFundMe campaigns in 2022 and 2025 to support him.

Peter David is survived by his wife, Kathleen O'Shea David, and their four children.