Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Which Way the Wind Blows: Part One – Living in America
Written by: Peter Milligan
Art by: Cliff Chiang
Colored by: Lee Loughridge
Lettered by: Clem Robins
Assistant Editor: Pornsak Pichetshote
Editor: Karen Berger
Publisher: Vertigo > DC Comics
Leave it to Milligan
The Human Target actually was a short-lived ABC-TV series in 1992 starring pop music icon Rick Springfield. The show didn’t meet with the hoped for success and was cancelled after only seven episodes. The concept, though, is a very solid idea for television. In fact, the route that writer Peter Milligan has taken with the first ever ongoing Human Target series, is really close to that of a television series. Albeit more of an HBO series like The Sopranos than much of the pablum we see on the networks these days.
Human Target follows Christopher Chance, a master of disguise so talented he can take on any identity and totally blend in as that person. The setup lends itself to a huge variety in storylines, both long and short. The series was sparked by events in the enthralling Human Target: Final Cut graphic novel, which preceded the series launch. That one-shot and the first issue of the ongoing essentially pushed Chance over the edge creating a monumental crisis in his life. A crisis that he’s still running from.
Chances are…
Chris Chance is actually conspicuously absent from much of the story this month. That’s not to say that the tale, which follows a group of radical activists spanning the 70s to today, isn’t compelling. It’s utterly and totally compelling. Milligan’s talent is apparent, as he builds up the story about this group of radicals and actually makes us, at least to a point, feel for them. The story highlights the character of Charlie. He’s swept up in something that he just didn’t think through. You can almost feel yourself in his shoes. He’s in a place, with people he really doesn’t belong with, but he commits a horrifying act.
Things literally blow up in the face of this group of would-be terrorists. We flash forward to the modern day and see what’s going on in the lives of these former radicals. Lives mostly lived in some degree of penance for their past crimes. This penance is suddenly, and with finality being repaid by someone that was formerly their own. One that is far less penitent.
How does our “hero†get involved in all of this? That’s a truly inspired bit of chance that’s left to the close of the issue. This may become just one more tragedy for Christopher Chance, which certainly turn tragic for the others we followed this month. A sensational setup indeed!
Emotionally charged from first to last…
Cliff Chiang’s artwork captures the rollercoaster ride of anger, fear, and disturbed characters magnificently. His work is minimal in nature, but so powerful emotionally that I found myself gritting my teeth while reading the story. The artwork is heightened by the brilliant coloring job by Lee Loughridge. This is a somewhat miscolored world with a muted palette that fits the emotionally charged writing and artwork.
Human Target is another one of those books that I don’t give the appropriate amount of respect to on a monthly basis. There are a few books like that. One’s that I never seem to anxiously anticipate, some that I almost greet with indifference. Yet, every month when I put the book down it sticks with me and makes me think about what I’ve read. It’s one of the finest books on the shelves every month; if only I’d remember that next month.
