Out of the countless comics I have read over the years, there’s one funny sequence that has stayed with me for many years. It was from Incredible Hulk, 373, and it had the Gray Hulk battling the less-smarter Green Hulk in the mind of Bruce Banner. In the end, The Gray Hluk tricks Greenie in a way… that, as I said, has stayed with me.
It was during Peter David and Dale Keown’s time on the book that they won an Eisner back in 1992. It was in the middle of his twelve-year run on the book. He got a title because, at the time, it was a struggling title that no one wanted to write, and hehad free reign to do what David wanted.
Peter David, over the past few years, has struggled with health problems, which I talked about in my column last week. Things have gotten so dire that his family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical costs. Suppose you can—pitch in, even a few dollars because every little bit helps. And, if you’ve never read David’s run on the Hulk, read it! The stories are some of the best in the Hulk’s long history and still ripple through into today’s Hulk.
However, I want to talk about some other things David has done in his multi-decade career. For example, In 1990, David penned a seven-issue Aquaman miniseries titled The Atlantis Chronicles for DC Comics. This series delved into the rich history of Aquaman’s homeland, Atlantis, and marked a significant milestone in David’s career, as he described it as one of the works he is most proud of. Notably, it was also his first experience writing in the full script format.
From there, he wrote a somewhat controversial, nearly fifty-issue run on a relaunched Aquaman. If only because in the second issue, Aquaman lost a hand— only to be replaced by a harpoon! Still, from 1994-1998, it was a fun ride with those Aquaman tales!
He’s also written a lot of Star Trek—both novels and comic books. For a bit of time, it was DC Comics that put out those comics, and from 1988 to 1991, you could read his take on the original crew of Star Trek. Thankfully, over the years—IDW has reprinted some of those tales (and other classic Star Trek).
Peter David’s Star Trek comic books are celebrated for their compelling narratives, sharp humor, and in-depth character exploration. His contributions to Star Trek comics for DC Comics, such as Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, showcased his talent for weaving intricate stories that remain faithful to the essence of the Star Trek universe. David often focused on the interplay between characters and the ethical challenges they encountered, capturing the franchise’s signature blend of adventure and thought-provoking themes.
One more I need to mention—SpyBoy! The concept for SpyBoyoriginated at Dark Horse Comics, which enlisted Peter David to bring the idea to life by creating the characters, their backstories, and the series bible. Unfortunately, David has expressed regret that many of his envisioned plans for the series were left unfulfilled due to Dark Horse’s decision not to extend its run. Between 1999 and 2004, SpyBoy spanned 17 issues and included two miniseries.
The series combined action, humor, and the challenges of teenage life. The story follows Alex Fleming, an ordinary high school student who uncovers his hidden identity as a superspy alter ego called SpyBoy. Working for the covert organization S.H.I.R.T.S. (Secret Headquarters International Reconnaissance, Tactics, and Spies), Alex faces off against the sinister criminal group known as S.K.I.N.S. (Supreme Killing Institute), navigating a world filled with danger, intrigue, and unexpected twists. Still available—and makes for a fantastic read!
There are many more things we could talk about concerning the writings and creations of Peter David. Over the decades, he’s been one of my favorite creators. If you’ve never read any David—or it’s been a while, now is a perfect time to go and check out some of his iconic runs. And don’t forget to help out with that campaign. Again, every dollar helps!
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