📺 Human Target (2010)
Based on comic
The 2010 Fox television series Human Target represents the second attempt to bring DC Comics' master of disguise to the small screen, following a short-lived 1992 ABC version starring Rick Springfield. Developed by Jonathan E. Steinberg, this iteration reimagines the premise significantly: rather than surgically altering his appearance to impersonate his clients as in the comics, Christopher Chance instead embeds himself into their lives as a hyper-competent bodyguard and security expert.
Starring Mark Valley as Chance, Chi McBride as his business partner Winston, and Jackie Earle Haley as the morally flexible hired gun Guerrero, the series adopted a breezy, action-adventure tone that distinguished it from the darker Vertigo comics. The show was praised for its stunt work, practical effects, and the chemistry among its three leads, drawing comparisons to classic buddy-action television. A notable shift occurred between seasons when Matt Miller took over as showrunner, adding female series regulars Indira Varma and Janet Montgomery while leaning further into espionage and romantic subplots.
Despite generally positive reviews and a loyal fanbase, Human Target struggled with ratings and was canceled by Fox after two seasons in May 2011. The series remains a cult favorite, appreciated for its old-school action sensibilities and the rare television showcase for the lesser-known DC property.
Human Target is a comic book character and series created by writer Len Wein and artist Carmine Infantino, first appearing in Action Comics #419 in 1972. The protagonist, Christopher Chance, is a master of disguise and a private detective who takes on the identities of clients marked for assassination, literally becoming a human target to draw out threats and protect his principals.
The character was originally introduced as a backup feature in Action Comics before headlining his own limited series and one-shots under DC Comics' Vertigo imprint. The Vertigo era, particularly the work by writer Peter Milligan in the late 1990s and early 2000s, reimagined Chance as a more psychologically complex figure, haunted by the identities he assumes and the moral ambiguities of his profession.
Unlike many superhero comics, Human Target leans heavily into noir, espionage, and psychological thriller territory. The stories explore themes of identity, sacrifice, and the psychological toll of living other people's lives, making it one of DC's more grounded and mature properties.