In the midst of Creature Commandos and Superman ushering in a fresh chapter for the DC Universe across television and cinema screens, it’s easy to forget that DC has experimented with various types of content throughout its history, especially on TV. For every triumph like the Arrowverse or iconic animated series, there have been underrated interpretations of DC mythology – or shows that viewers might not realize were part of the DC collection. A prime example: one of DC’s top live-action TV shows can be found streaming for free, but many fans probably don’t even know to search for it.
In the year 2010, Fox Television introduced a show that was linked to a DC comic book series, which many viewers didn’t realize. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe was already thriving, DC was going through a phase of change. The Dark Knight Trilogy by Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder’s DCEU were not yet fully formed. This presented an opportunity for DC to experiment with different types of content, and they chose to delve into the action-spy genre with the TV series called “Human Target.” Now you have a chance to watch it online at no cost and catch up on what you’ve been missing!
What Is Human Target?
The TV series “Human Target” (2010) featured Mark Valley (Fringe, Boston Legal) as Christopher Chance, a reformed assassin who embarks on a new path by offering protection and assistance to those in danger. With exceptional skills in disguise and infiltration, Chance would frequently impersonate clients or mimic people close to them to draw attention away from the actual threat they faced. Throughout the series, there was an intricate backstory that unfolded, particularly surrounding Chance’s enigmatic past and his training as a top-tier assassin under the guidance of an enigmatic figure called “The Old Man.” Eventually, Chance found himself facing off against his former mentor and his organization.
This series additionally featured Chi McBride, known from Hawaii Five-O and Boston Public, playing a retired police detective who teams up with the main character; Jackie Earle Haley, famous for Watchmen, portrayed another ex-assassin who was trained by “The Old Man” and turned against him alongside the protagonist, assisting him in his missions. The cast also included Indira Varma (Rome, Obi-Wan), Autumn Reeser (The O.C.), Tony Hale (Arrested Development, Veep), Lennie James (Fear the Walking Dead), and Armand Assante (Judge Dredd, American Gangster). Their roles either contributed to future genre or franchise opportunities for some, or underscored their versatility as reliable character actors.
The first season of “Human Target” garnered moderately positive reviews from critics (around 6 out of 10), with a general consensus that it was excessively action-packed and had an exaggerated, comic book-like feel, especially in its protagonist’s extraordinary survival skills and unexpected plot twists. However, this could be seen as ironic, given the comics-inspired tone of the DC Universe that James Gunn and his team are now developing.
In many ways, “Human Target” was both a forerunner in its time and defied the norms of the genre by being more lighthearted when most shows were leaning towards realism. Despite this, it showed potential for growth, as the second season (2010-2011) received better reviews from critics and audiences than the first.
However, despite its premiere drawing an average of 10 million viewers per episode, there was a noticeable decline in viewership throughout Season 2, with only half the original number tuning in until the final arc. Interestingly, this usually downward trend was bucked during the final episodes, which saw a significant increase in viewership, with the series ending its run with around 8-9 million viewers for each of the final episodes.
In today’s DC Universe (DCU), the series “Human Target” would likely resonate well with viewers who appreciate the action-packed, comic book style of the Arrowverse. It could also serve as a delightful and engaging link between various DC stories, similar to the current Human Target comic run where Chance interacts with multiple characters from different corners of the DC universe. Unfortunately, due to timing and circumstances, “Human Target” did not find its target audience.
You can currently stream Human Target (2010) on Tubi for free.
It Wasn’t The First Human Target TV Series
In simpler terms, the 2010 show “Human Target” wasn’t the initial effort to adapt this DC comic for television. That honor goes to a 1992 TV series titled “Human Target”, but unfortunately, it ran for just one season and seven episodes before it was taken off the air.
In this adaptation, Rick Springfield portrayed the lead character, Human Target/Christopher Chance, while Kirk Baltz (known for his role in “Reservoir Dogs”), Signy Coleman (a regular on “The Young and the Restless”), and Sami Chester made up the supporting cast assisting Chance. This particular series received negative feedback from both fans and critics, but for those interested, it can be found streaming on Sling TV.
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2025-07-23 14:10