What happened to Peter David? GoFundMe raises over $74,000 amid Marvel and DC Comics writer’s health struggles

Amidst many health struggles, Peter David, aka PAD, was dropped by Medicaid last year. It was reiterated in a GoFundMe campaign launched to help the legendary comic book writer with his medical bills.

PAD has a long history of various health-related issues. In 2010, he underwent knee and hip surgery. Two years later, while being on a vacation in Florida, Peter David suffered a stroke. In the following years, he was also diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In 2022, Graham Murphy launched a fundraiser for David’s wife, Kathleen.

The first GoFundMe campaign revealed that the comics writer suffered from kidney failure, a mild heart attack, and a series of strokes. David’s family shuttered the fundraiser before Medicaid dropped him. A recent hospitalization led Murphy to launch another fundraiser to support Peter David with medical bills. After the GoFundMe went live, Kathleen David gave an update,

“We are starting this up again due to circumstances beyond our control. The short version is we are swimming in medical debt due to Peter being rejected for Medicaid – which was one of the few things that had been going right.”

She continued,

“Insurance will only pay so much and so far. Once one has used that up, one depends on the social services to allow one to live without being homeless and broke. That is what Medicaid has been doing for the last two years. Yes, as of November, we started our third year of this journey.”

As of now, the fundraiser has received over 1.6K donations, totaling $75,714, against a $100K goal.

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Fans react after GoFundMe fundraiser for Peter David gets launched

Many used social media to share the GoFundMe campaign to help the popular comic book writer. David Pepose (@Peposed), a fellow writer, also shared the fundraiser on X, asking his fans to help Peter. He wrote,

“Terrible news. Marvel Comics legend Peter David's been taken off Medicaid, which means his medical bills and living expenses just skyrocketed. If you can, please consider chipping in.”

“This guy produced workfor ALL the big corporations at a very high level & got ZERO security for his efforts. Do better comics,” a user expressed their thoughts.

“Peter David is responsible for one of the most kickass Hulk runs of all time. He should not have to struggle like this,” another user shared.

“feels like Disney-Marvel should have stepped in by now // I was hoping with the lack of news on PAD, that he was recovering,” someone added.

“That's awful news! Peter David is a legend. I hope the community can rally around him and offer support during this difficult time. 🙏,” another one wrote.

A user posted,

“Man is a legend and big part of my childhood // Damn I want to help so bad.”

Another user wrote about PAD’s contribution to Star Trek lore,

“Wow… not only comics. Some of the best Star Trek novels came from him. The New Frontier series is still outstanding.”

Apart from the New Frontier books, Peter is also known for working for Marvel and DC. Some of his most significant works include runs of Aquaman, The Incredible Hulk, X-Factor, Young Justice, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man 2099, and many more.

He famously co-created Miguel O'Hara, Spider-Man 2099’s alter ego, and Phyla-Velli (fourth Captain Marvel). David also bagged the Eisner Award (shared with Dale Keown in 1992) during his 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk.

His creations and works influenced different characters in multiple comic book films. Notably, Miguel O'Hara appeared in the 2023 animated movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and was voiced by Oscar Isaac.