16 Years Later, DC’s 2-Part Action Spy Series Is Still One of Its Greatest Hidden Gems

Fifteen years ago, we were still a few years out from the major superhero craze that hit television, but longtime DC Comics fans still had plenty to celebrate. Sure, Smallville was about to end, but that didn’t mean DC adaptations were down for the count. In 2010, Fox introduced a mid-season replacement series in the style of Burn Notice and other action-spy programs titled Human Target. Like many, you’ve likely forgotten about this stellar short-term action drama, but if you’re looking for some comic book-inspired entertainment that fits stylishly into the 21st century, look no further than this Mark Valley-led series.

‘Human Target’ Breathed New Life Into DC Comics’ Christopher Chance

If you’ve never heard of Human Target, that’s probably because it’s not DC Comics’ most popular brand. The television series was based on a DC Comics character created by comic legends Len Wein and Carmine Infantino back in the ’70s (not to be confused with another “Human Target” from the ’50s), updating the role for modern day. That character? Christopher Chance, a former assassin and private contractor who assumes the identities of those he’s hired to protect to weed out the threats against them, thus becoming a literal “human target.”

Chance wove in and out of comics for decades, appearing in issues of Detective Comics, Action Comics, and a handful of solo series in that time, but it wasn’t until Jericho co-creator Jonathan E. Steinberg took a stab at bringing him back to the small screen that Christopher Chance really got his due. Although this wasn’t the first Human Target series — back in the ’90s, ABC ran a seven-episode Human Target show with Rick Springfield as Chance — the Fox version is the most memorable, and is still highly worth the binge.

Played by Mark Valley, Human Target breathed new life into the Christopher Chance character, introducing a supporting cast that added a completely different dynamic. His close friendships with Winston (Chi McBride) and hitman Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley) not only make Chance better at his job, but help fill out the world beyond Chance’s complicated personal history. Human Target was particularly notable for its infusion of humor in the midst of intense action and dramatic sequences, long before that became the standard for every action-based Hollywood project. Though the show itself was certainly a departure from the original comic book series, the basic concept of Christopher Chance and his mission remained, with plenty of on-screen charisma from the show’s leads to keep fans glued to the screen. And that’s not to mention how fun the promos were.

Over the course of two seasons and 25 episodes, Human Target put Chance (and the audience) through a brand-new case of near-death, high-octane adventure with every installment. Each episode was jam-packed with recognizable guest stars, explosive action sequences, and witty banter between the three leads that you could never quite get enough of. Bear McCreary of Battlestar Galactica and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles fame was responsible for the show’s rousing and orchestral score (at least during the first season), establishing that Human Target was a serious network television drama that fans ought to pay attention to. Whether you were familiar with Chance’s DC Comics roots or not, it didn’t matter, because just as Chance brought everyone up to speed about each new weekly job, so too was the show easily accessible for anyone with an interest.

‘Human Target’ Offers a Type of Action Hero That’s a Perfect Fit for TV

Image via Fox

Fresh off his time on Fringe, Mark Valley was the perfect performer to embody the part of Christopher Chance. Always exuding an air of confidence, no matter the situation he found himself in, Valley’s charisma and skills made him stand out compared to most action heroes who grace the screens of network TV. It certainly helped that Valley had a military look about him, having served in the U.S. Army in his youth. But despite that, Valley once told Collider that what Chance goes through on-screen is far more exhilarating than his actual military experience. Still, we can see that Valley — who previously starred in Boston Legal — is clearly at home on a show like this, strolling through spy-like missions with the swagger of James Bond and the investigative capabilities of Batman.

Throughout the show (though especially the first season), we follow Chance as he runs from his past by trying to make a new life in the present. Since his complicated backstory threatens to put his team in danger at any moment, Chance often finds himself at the crosshairs with the assassin types he once called family, namely his former brother-like figure, Baptiste (played by the ever-talented Lennie James). But Chance is a man who believes in second chances. Having been on the wrong end of the gun barrel for too many years, this former assassin has turned over a new leaf and has vowed to protect lives as best he can rather than take them. It’s an age-old tale, but one that Human Target makes its own with a likable cast and clever plots that breathe fresh air into the action TV genre.

‘Human Target’ Tried To Rebrand for Season 2, but Was Ultimately Cancelled

After a first season that exceeded fan expectations, Fox decided to switch things up going into Season 2. Steinberg left the show in favor of Matt Miller, who introduced two new characters to Chance’s team: financier Ilsa Pucci (Indira Varma) and former thief Ames (Janet Montgomery). Ahead of Season 2, Valley and Hailey spoke to Collider, where the former noted his excitement for the upcoming changes. “I think it’s a show 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 fairly mixed, with some claiming that Fox ruined a good thing by adding new characters and expanding the world. Others were taken by these female additions to the male-dominated show, which opened the door for fascinating new stories to explore.

But Human Target wasn’t meant to be a long-term investment. After the show’s second season, Fox cancelled the drama, and Christopher Chance hasn’t been back since. Well, Mark Valley’s take on the character, anyway. Another version of Chance was introduced in the Arrowverse several years later, played by Wil Traval, but sadly, there was no connection between them. Instead, Human Target fell to the wayside. The second season wasn’t even released on home video like the first, making it generally a tough show to find online.

For many, the action drama was swept up and forgotten, which is a shame considering how much potential Human Target had long-term. The good news is, this one doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, so the quick two-season binge won’t feel like you’re missing a definitive conclusion by the end.