The Human Target is a minor DC Comics character that has been given new life in a television show on Fox.
Created in 1972 by writer Len Wein and artist Carmine Infantino, Christopher Chance would disguise himself and pose as targets for assassination in a dozen or so 8 page backup stories, notable for their nice art, fast pace, and emphasis on quick witted escapes from peril with minimal emphasis on character development. The stories were formula, but a fun pleasant formula. In the 1980s, Christopher Chance was even hired by Alfred to pose as Bruce Wayne. And then he basically disappeared from view.
In 1992, a short lived attempted was made to turn the concept in a television series starring Rick Springfield.
In 1999, Peter Milligan took the concept to Vertigo Comics and gave Christopher Chance a high concept makeover. Milligan took the idea of a guy who submerged his identity and put himself in harm’s way to ask deeper questions of identity. And what kind of death wish does this guy have anyways? It was definitely a critical favorite, although it didn’t last all that long.
And in 2010, we now have a second go at a Human Target television series. And it seems to be getting a decent push from Fox.
Although it’s hard to judge a show based purely on one episode, it certainly seems that the show is drawing heavily from the earliest days with an emphasis on action, adventure, and daring, last second escapes over introspective soul searching. And a lot of fist fights, gun fights, and explosions. Albeit without the master of disguise part, for obvious practical reasons. Still, they pay enough lip service to the idea of Christopher Chance taking on other cover identities to stay close to the target, so they may have a chance to explore that meatier idea.
Mark Valley is cast as Christopher Chance. Mostly just called Chance. Apparently, it makes him more mysterious that way. Valley’s is a credible presence at the lead. Good in a fight and ready with a quip. He’d have been a good ‘80s action star. The implication of a troubled nature under the surface doesn’t really come across that well, he looks like he’s having too much fun here, and that will have to come out better if the show wants to diversify from formula some.
Jackie Earle Haley plays Guerrero, a shady, hacker/investigator that steals practically every scene he’s in. Jackie Earle Haley has had a career rebirth and he continues it here. Where Rorschach was a psychopath, Guerrero is a tough guy in a different way, always one step ahead and not afraid to let you know. He’s almost certain to hire Chance some day to protect him from a hit.
Chance’s business assistant is Chi McBride as Winston. As I said, they’re big on single names in the show. McBride really doesn’t have much to do, alternating between worrying about Chance and being annoyed with Guerrero. And they have a dog in the loft/business office which in named Carmine as a nod to co-creator Carmine Infantino.
The plot of the pilot is very straightforward. An engineer (Tricia Helfer) of a high tech bullet train is under threat. Chance must protect her on the maiden voyage of the bullet train. Which ends up involving a lot of fighting in the back of the train, including an amusing incident in an air duct, culminating in a long bout of hand to hand combat and a fairly memorable takedown for television. Nothing too complicated for the pilot, but it gets the job done. Additional episodes will have to up the ante.
Overall, a fun first show. Fast paced, good acting, and a lot of action. It’s fine popcorn entertainment. The question is though whether it can work some wrinkles into what could turn out to be formula in a hurry. Is there depth in Chance? Can Valley bring it out? Will Chi McBride have anything substantial to do? Is Jackie Earle Haley going to prove to be more interesting than the lead? And, if it works out, does this mean more from properties from DC’s library finding their way to television?
GRADE: B-
THE HUMAN TARGET airs Wednesday nights at 8PM (Central) on FOX. Watch the full pilot episode HERE.
