Acclaimed Writer Peter David, Known for Incredible Hulk and X-Factor, Passes Away

Peter David, the renowned 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 was shared by David's friend and colleague Keith R.A. DeCandido 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 12-year tenure on Marvel's The Incredible Hulk, where he crafted a transformative narrative that redefined the dynamics between Bruce Banner and his alter ego. This remarkable run earned David and artist Dale Keown the prestigious Eisner Award in 1992. Much like Frank Miller is synonymous with Daredevil and Chris Claremont with the X-Men, David is widely recognized as the definitive writer for the Hulk.

Art by George Perez. (Image Credit: Marvel)

David's impact extended beyond the Hulk. He co-created Spider-Man 2099 and had two impactful runs on X-Factor. His first run on X-Factor transformed the team from a reunion of the original five X-Men into a government-sanctioned mutant strike force. His second run further evolved the team into a detective agency, led by Madrox the Multiple Man.

At DC Comics, David's influence was felt on titles like Aquaman, Supergirl, and Young Justice. Additionally, he made significant contributions to the Star Trek franchise, both in comics and novels, with his notable work being the 1994 novel Q-Squared.

Beyond comics and novels, David's talents extended to television, where he worked on shows like Babylon 5, Young Justice, and Ben 10: Alien Force. He also contributed 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 a GoFundMe campaign in 2022, followed by another in 2025.

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