Peter David
Legends of Comics
by Phil Perich for the Capes and Lunatics Blog
I was stumped this week for a blog topic when inspiration struck me while putting notes together for an interview my cohosts and I are doing this Friday for the podcast. This week we get the honor of talking to Peter David, who has written many classic characters and stories in comics and novels. I figured I could talk about just a few of the man’s many comic book writingaccomplishments here before the interview.
Gray Matter
Whenever I hear the name Peter David, the first character that comes to mind is the Hulk. During his 12 year run on the character, not only did David take a previous writer’s one issue idea and expand it to become a fundamental theme of the Hulk character, but he also made me think of the Hulk as more than a slow-witted man monster. From multiple personalities (and Hulks) created from childhood trauma, to engaging storylines and characters, David made me care about the Hulk, especially the gray Hulk. Without his writings, I wouldn’t care less about the gray Hulk, but after David’s stories, the gray Hulk is not only my favorite version of the Hulk, but one of my favorite fictional characters!
Give Him a Hand
For everyone excited to see the new Justice League movie next month and excited to see the tough warrior version of him, did you know Peter David created the version of that character. Not only did David come up with bearded warrior version of Aquaman, but he also had him lose a hand in battle. Aquaman then goes on to get a hook hand and eventually a cybernetic harpoon with retractable line. And of course once again David takes a character many people underestimated and made him a force to be reckoned with. So after you go see Justice League in the theaters next month, go online and thank Peter David for the best version of Aquaman you've ever seen!
…Does Whatever a Franchise Can!
Another reason I can’t wait to talk to Peter David is so I can ask him about his love of the character Spider-Man. He has written the character so many times and in so many different variations it would seem impossible that the man doesn't hold some kind of special place in his heart for the hero. From classic storylines like “The Death of Jean Dewolff” which would be a classic even if it wasn’t the story where Daredevil discovers Spider-Man is really Peter Parker, to titles like “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” during the first Civil War event where Peter Parker has to deal with a world where everyone knows his identity including all of his friends and acquaintances. David is also the writer who created the character of Spider-Man 2099, the hero of the future who recently was operating in the present day written once again by his creator.
And currently, David is writing the adventures of a resurrected Ben Reilly, the Scarlet Spider. I was worried in the beginning that the hero I knew was long gone, but once again David’s masterful storytelling has saved the day!
Strange Visitor or Girl Next Door
Another character I could have cared less for before their story was told by Peter David is Supergirl. At the time, DC Comics wanted Superman to be the sole survivor of Krypton so “Supergirl” was an artificially created lifeform from another Earth in a pocket universe. Confused yet? David took this character who I considered no more than an elaborate plot device and gave her life and purpose. Literally ripping the character in half and getting rid of the proto-matter that Supergirl was made of and bonding her with an angel was just the start of the improvements made by David. The character takes the identity of Linda Danvers and later literally becomes Linda Danvers. After the angel portion remains in the afterlife, Linda becomes a human with scaled back Kryptonian powers that shared a new similar look to the Supergirl of the Superman animated series.
Generation X-Factor
And finally, no list of Peter David accomplishments would be complete without mentioning the mutant team X-Factor. Even though he wrote two different versions and series named X-Factor, my favorite will always be the original team. In a time where the US government was willing to work a little closer with the students of Charles Xavier and their allies and the original X-Factor members rejoined the X-Men, a new team was forged. Havok, the leader and many times the straight man for the practical jokers of the team which included Madrox the Multiple Man and Strong Guy. Wolfsbane, a young woman confused not only about her place in the world, but also about the alterations forced on her body. Polaris, a strong mutant woman in constant struggle with her own self doubts. And Quicksilver, former Avenger who really didn’t seem to care what anyone thought of him, even if they thought he was a jerk. And then there was the time the two Peter David books of the day went to war with each other…
I can’t wait to talk to Mr. David about of these characters and more!! I never even got to his Captain Marvel work. What’s your favorite work by Peter David? Let me know:
nightwingpdp@gmail.com or capesandlunatics@gmail.com
@NIghtwingpdp or @CapesLunatics on Twitter
Capes and Lunatics voicemail: 614-382-2737
You can hear me and my cohosts discussing all things Marvel, DC Comics, TV, movies, and all pop culture and entertainment on the Capes and Lunatics Podcast and YouTube channel several times a week.