The death of Peter David comes months after a family friend, Graham Murphy, launched a public fundraising campaign to assist the author and his wife in paying off "their medical debt", after the US public healthcare system, Medicaid, refused to continue his treatment.
In the latest update on GoFundMe, posted on May 20, David's wife revealed that he had been temporarily connected to a ventilator "due to his inability to cough or clear his throat." "His color has improved significantly and he is moving his limbs, which is a good sign," she wrote. "He is under light sedation to prevent him from resisting the tube being inserted down his throat."
The psychological dimension of comics
With a career spanning over four decades, Peter David transformed American comic book narrative by bringing psychological depth, sharp humor, and a unique sensitivity that challenged the genre's boundaries. His tenure on The Incredible Hulk from the late 80s to the late 90s is considered one of the character's most defining eras. Under his pen, Hulk ceased to be just a creature of unbridled strength and became a symbol of human internal struggles.
Born on September 23, 1956, in Fort Meade, Maryland (USA), David began his professional career as a writer and editor before fully dedicating himself to comics. In X-Factor, he revitalized the title with a mix of social realism and emotional development, while with Spider-Man 2099 he offered a futuristic vision of the superhero that continues to influence creators to this day.
In addition to his comics, Peter David was a prolific novelist with over fifty books, including numerous works in the Star Trek universe, as well as the satirical series Sir Apropos of Nothing. His style was recognizable: sarcastic, reflective, and always committed to the characters.
Winner of several Eisner Awards, Wizard Fan Awards, and a GLAAD Award for his representation of the LGBTQ+ community, David was also an active advocate for authors' rights and a staunch believer in the literary potential of the comic medium.