15 years later, this short-lived action series is still one of DC Comics’ most underrated adaptations
Fifteen years ago, we were still a few years away from the major superhero craze that hit television, but longtime DC Comics fans still had reason to rejoice. Of course, Smalltown was about to end, but that didn’t mean DC adaptations were on the decline. In 2010, Fox introduced a mid-season replacement series in the style of Burn Notice and other spy programs titled Human target. Like many, it’s likely you’ve forgotten about this short-term action drama, but if you’re looking for comic book-inspired entertainment that fits stylishly into the 21st century, look no further. Valley of the Mark-directed series.
‘Human Target’ Breathed New Life into DC Comics’ Christopher Chance
If you’ve never heard of it Human targetthat’s probably because it’s not DC Comics’ most popular brand. The TV series was based on a DC Comics character created by comic book legends. Len’s Wine And Carmine Infantino in the 1970s (not to be confused with another “human target” from the 1950s), updating the role for modern times. This character? Christopher Chance, a former assassin and private contractor who assumes the identities of those he hired to protect in order to eliminate threats against themthus becoming a real “human target”. Chance has infiltrated comics for decades, appearing in issues of Detective comics, Action Comicsand a handful of solo series at that time, but that’s only Jericho co-creator Jonathan E. Steinberg tried to bring him back to the small screen so Christopher Chance really got his due. Even if it wasn’t the first Human target series – in the 90s, ABC aired a seven-episode series Human target show with Richard Springfield like Chance – the Fox version is the most memorable and still worth your time.
Performed by Mark Valley, Human target breathed new life into the character of Christopher Chance, introducing a supporting cast that added a completely different dynamic. His close friendships with Winston (Chi McBride) and the hitman Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley) not only improves Chance at his job, but also helps fill out the world beyond Chance’s complicated personal story. Human target was particularly notable for its infusion of humor amid intense action and dramatic sequences long before it became the norm for any action-based Hollywood project. While the series itself certainly deviated from the original comic book series, the basic concept of Christopher Chance and his mission remained, with plenty of on-screen charisma from the series’ leads to keep fans glued to the screen. And that’s not even counting how fun the promos were.
Over the course of two seasons and 25 episodes, Human target Put Chance (and the audience) through an all-new case of near-death and high-octane adventure every episode. Each episode was filled with recognizable guest stars, explosive action sequences, and witty banter between the three leads that you could never really get enough of. McCreary Bear of Battlestar Galactica And Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Fame was responsible for the show’s catchy, orchestral music (at least during the first season), establishing that Human target was a serious TV drama that fans should pay attention to. Whether or not you knew about Chance’s roots in DC Comics, it didn’t matter, because just as Chance informed everyone about each new weekly job, the series was also easily accessible to anyone interested.
‘Human Target’ Delivers a Type of Action Hero Perfectly Fit for TV
Fresh out of his time Fringe, Mark Valley was the perfect performer to play the role of Christopher Chance. Always exuding an air of confidence no matter what situation he found himself in, Valley’s charisma and skills made him stand out from most of the action heroes who grace network television screens. It certainly helped that Valley had a military appearance, having served in the U.S. Army in his youth. But despite this, Valley once told Collider that what Chance experiences on screen is much more exhilarating than his real military experience. Yet we can see this Valley – which has already starred in Boston Legal Department – is clearly at home in a series like this, wandering into spy missions with the daring of James Bond and the investigative skills of Batman.
Throughout the series (but especially the first season), we follow Chance as he flees his past while trying to make a new life for himself in the present. Since his complicated history threatens to put his team in danger at any moment, Chance often finds himself in the crosshairs of the assassin types he once called family, namely his former brother character Baptiste (played by the always talented Lennie James). But Chance is a man who believes in second chances. After being on the wrong side of the barrel for too many years, this former assassin has turned a new leaf and vowed to protect lives as best he can rather than take them. It’s an old story, but Human target establishes itself with a likeable cast and intelligent plots that breathe fresh air into the action television genre.
‘Human Target’ Tried to Change Name for Season 2, But Was Ultimately Canceled
After a first season that exceeded fans’ expectations, Fox decided to change things before season 2. Steinberg left the series in favor of Matt Millerwhich introduced two new characters into Chance’s team: financier Ilsa Pucci (Indira Varma) and the former thief Ames (Janet Montgomery). Before Season 2, Valley and Hailey spoke Collider, where the former expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming changes. “I think it’s a series that’s already started on a very interesting, very adventurous and very fun path, and it’s just going to continue,” Valley explained. The results were quite mixed, with some saying Fox ruined a good thing by adding new characters and expanding the world. Others were enticed by these female additions to the male-dominated series, which opened the door for fascinating new stories to explore.
But Human target was not meant to be a long term investment. After the second season of the series, Fox canceled the drama and Christopher Chance hasn’t returned since. Well, Mark Valley embraces the character anyway. Another version of Chance was introduced into the Arrowverse several years later, played by Will Travalbut unfortunately, there was no connection between them. Instead, Human target fell by the wayside. The second season wasn’t even released on home video like the first, making it generally a difficult show to find online. For many, the action drama has been brushed aside and forgotten, which is a shame considering the potential Human target had long term. The good news is that this one doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, so the fast-paced two-season binge won’t leave you feeling like you’re missing out on a definitive conclusion at the end.
