Writer Tom King has revealed that his Human Target series began life as a joke he made on Twitter.
While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, the Eisner Award-winning writer explained the genesis behind his upcoming DC Black Label miniseries. As it turns out, the book was a happy accident. In March 2020, King was mentioned in a tweet that suggested he write a story about the Human Target, a.k.a. Christopher Chance. The thought amused King and he responded, “Oh, Human Target stands looking out a window…and gets shot.” It was a lovingly self-referential quip about his frequent use of death and sad heroes, but the joke didn’t stop there.
Later, one of DC’s editors reached out to King to see if he was serious about the project. King was surprised to see this reaction and thought that it was some kind of elaborate prank. However, as their conversation became more serious, the 12-issue pitch for Human Target was greenlit for a Black Label series. “That’s this incredibly stupid origin story of the book I love,” King concluded.
Christopher Chance was originally created by Len Wein and Carmine Infantino in the pages of Action Comics #419. He was the second character to use the Human Target moniker and was popular as a supporting character in books like The Brave and The Bold, but did not receive his own series until 1999. That series was published by Vertigo and took place outside of DC continuity, and was later followed by an ongoing series in 2003 and a four-issue mini-series in 2010. The Human Target has also been adapted into a television show on two different occasions: first as as an ABC series in 1992 and then as a Fox series in 2010. However, for the better part of a decade, the Human Target has stayed out of the spotlight — something that King’s new series looks to change.
Due out on November 2, Human Target is a 12-issue mini-series from King and artist Greg Smallwood that reintroduces the character to modern audiences. After a lifetime of protecting high-value clients as a bodyguard and master of disguise, Christopher Chance is used to being in the line of fire. But when a mission goes awry he’ll be left with 12 days to solve his own murder. The series also features appearances from Lex Luthor, Batman and the 80s Justice League International team. In King’s own words, “it’s a grimy sexy pulp romance Justice League book.”
Tom King has made a name for himself in recent years through his character-centric 12-issue mini-series. Starting with Mister Miracle and continuing with Rorschach, Batman/Catwoman and the soon–to-be-concluded Strange Adventures, King has taken a look at the unique psychology that makes heroes tick. With the Human Target, King aims to change things up by channeling his inner noir sensibilities. Preview art for the series highlights its pulp aesthetics and stylized approach to action. As King said, “It started with being so stupid. It became something so transcendent. It’s crazy.”
Source: Entertainment Weekly
About The Author