TODAY'S 'MAIN FEATURE':

Tina and I watched the Season Premiere Episode of the 'Human Target' Sunday Night...

Which is being rerun tonight, (Tuesday - January 19th, 2010). I'm blogging about this TV show because it is loosely based on a comic book series co-created by Len Wein and Carmine Infantino back in 1972. 

1972?  Yes, that far back!

Too often the co-creators of properties that old don't even get mentioned in the 'credits' of new works.  Or, possibly the co-creators don't even want to be associated with the new works.

In this case I went to the member page of my Facebook Friend, Len Wein, to see what he said about the TV Show.  What I found there was:  "(Len Wein) is pleased that Cartoon Network is rerunning his first Ben 10 today at Noon. Tonight, at 8 on Fox, the premiere of Human Target! Watch 'em both if you can".

So I felt good about seeing this on his page, and wanted to blog about the new series today as a 'Main Feature'.

Which is doubly good, because I really like two of the main cast members of this new show.  More on that later in this post.

First I want to give a little history on "The Human Target". The Human Target is actually named Christopher Chance, and he is an American comic book character co-created by Len Wein and Carmine Infantino. (Len is pictured at the top left of this post.)

Christopher Chance in the comic books is what I would consider a 'unique' combination of both private detective and bodyguard, who operates by impersonating his clients in order to eliminate threats to their safety. (Yes, I know, that's not what he does in the Premiere Episode of this 2010 TV Show.)

The first appearance of 'The Human Target' was published in Action Comics #419 back in December of 1972, (pictured at the top right of this post. See the blurb for 'The Human Target' above the Action Comics Logo.)

This early appearance, and others in Action Comics are known as "back-up stories".  Action Comics is of course published by DC Comics. Later on the feature appeared in core 'Batman' titles such as 'The Brave and the Bold' and 'Detective Comics'.

It wasn't until much later that DC Comics gave this feature its' own comic book title, in 1991. The one-shot comic book, (shown to the left) was titled: The Human Target Special.

This was during the time that The Human Target was adapted as a Summer Televison Series in July of 1992 that starred Rick Springfield.  (Yes, THAT Rick Springfield!) It lasted 7 episodes, and had Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo as writers.  

After that, it wasn't until 1999 that Christopher Chance then starred in a limited series, followed up by a one-shot, and then in an ongoing Human Target series written by Peter Milligan and published under DC's Vertigo imprint. That run lasted the longest, with 21 issues in total. For a full listing of these titles and issues please click this link.

Okay... I've brought you up to date on the history of this comic book feature and its' earlier incarnation as a brief TV Series.

Now for the current series which premiered Sunday, January 17th of 2010 as a Fox television series starring Mark Valley, Chi McBride and Jackie Earle Haley.

First: I like the choice of two of the actors for sure...

That of Mark Valley as Christopher Chance.  I think it is about time that he was given the chance to headline a series. 

I thought he had a good role in the TV Series, 'Boston Legal', as Brad Chase, from 2004 - 2007.

His role in 'Fringe' on FOX TV was too short. But then again, he did marry Anna Torv, his co-star on the show in December 2008. (Anna plays agent Olivia Dunham.)

But now, he has a 'chance' to become a major TV Star...

Additionally I liked Chi McBride on 'Pushing Daisies'.  Tina saw the special panel at the San Diego Comic Con before that show premiered, and I wound up watching the series with her, althought I wasn't as excited about it as her.  However, I thought that Chi McBride and Kristin Chenowith were two of the best actors on that series...

I mentioned that I liked the choice of two of the actors for this series. It's not that I don't like Jackie Earle Haley, it's just that I've only remembered seeing him in the Watchmen film, where he had the role of Rorschach.  His role in the premiere episode of this new series was a vital one, and his look fit the role.

Speaking of roles, of course it is the guest stars that help make a series when the show itself is set in different locations with different characters for each episode.  I'm looking forward to the episode with Moon Bloodgood myself!  I've liked her ever since first seeing her on 'Journeyman'.  Her role in the film Terminator: Salvation, (seen to the left), wasn't bad either!

My thanks to the FOX Network for airing this premiere a second time... as it was up against the Golden Globes on Sunday.  The second episode of this new show airs Wednesday night.  Tina and I will be watching it!  Good luck to this new series!