The Human Target is a pretty simple concept for someone to get, even those unfamiliar with the character. Christopher Chance stands in for other individuals who are being targeted taking them out of danger and putting himself in it. This new series takes it a step further with Chance having save Lex Luthor’s life only to be poisoned in an attack that was meant for Luthor. With just twelve days to live, he needs to unravel the conspiracy. The Human Target #2 gets things rolling with an issue that feels like it’s ripped right from a detective story.

Tom King delivers his spin on the classic detective noir genre packing The Human Target #2 with tropes and plot twists you’d expect in those types of stories. Christopher Chance is counting down the time he has left while he attempts to figure out who might have poisoned him. In walks Ice, the superhero and one-time member of the Justice League International. It’s a possible member of that group that could be the poisoner. Ice, like any good femme fatale, is full of useful information and just enough seduction to make things confusing and sexy. King’s plot drips with what you’d expect from this aspect of the story, to the point it almost feels like parody.

Greg Smallwood‘s art is what really stands out. With lettering by Clayton Cowles, the duo have crafted a style that just nails down the noir genre. It oozes with sex appeal as Ice teases Chance while she spills the details. The colors and style of the comic look amazing matching the genre and “voice” perfectly. The art is the highlight of the series so far lifting a story that so far is entertaining but not surprising. Smallwood has an amazing ability to focus in and nail down what to look at to really punctuate and emphasize the moment. Eyes take up an entire panel, a sly smile tells you all you need, zooming in on a flask tells a story. It’s all the details and layout of the pages that stands out mixed with colors and designs that feels both modern and a bit “Mad Men” in look.

The Human Target #2 is an entertaining issue diving deep into what makes noir both fun and cheesy. The issue was just shy of Chance having a voice over about “dames” and how they would “get him killed”. As a single issue, the comic is all about its style and look but as a whole, it’s pointing to a tale that should be entertaining for fans of the genre.

Story: Tom King Art: Greg Smallwood Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.75 Art: 9.0 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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