Human Target #9

This continues to be one of DC's best books, jacking up the tension each and every issue as Christopher Chance edges closer and closer to his inevitable death. Read Full Review

Smallwood continues to dazzle with a classic art style that is consistently impressive. Read Full Review

While the cool and collected facade has been shown off all mini-series, it was great to see Chance lose his unflappability at the hint of Batman. Best issue of the series to date. Read Full Review

The Human Target hits the mark yet again. Tom King, Greg Smallwood and Clayton Cowles are creating the best noir mystery with Christopher Chance since the Milligan/Pulido run. The writing is absolutely excellent, the art is amazing and the letters are just the chefs kiss right on top and I cant wait for more! Read Full Review

But we don't get Batman. What wo do get, aside from the paranoia, is the truth of Ice finally learning of Chance's condition and his limited amount of time left on Earth. Read Full Review

How often should you look over your shoulder when you're a master of disguise? That number will increase when the Dark Knight Detective is hunting you. Or maybe it's the guilt? Tom King and Greg Smallwood bring their best example of suspense to put the Human Target through the wringer. Read Full Review

The Human Target #9 appears to be waiting. Chance is waiting to die, and this series isn't doing much else besides waiting along with him. In fairness, the character moments are strong, and Smallwood's art is next level, but unless King comes up with a bait-and-switch revelation, this series has turned into a very lovely waiting room. Read Full Review

Human Target maintains its methodical, uneventful pace that largely calls for readers to get invested in two mostly unlikable characters crafted with gorgeous art. Read Full Review

KittyNone

Nov 23, 2022

Another great issue in what could wind up being King's first consistently excellent series. King and Smallwood deliver a wonderful portrait of what it's like to spend a day haunted by the specter of Batman, what it actually feels like to be the cowardly and superstitious lot, with a twist ending that was probably inevitable but feels earned by using Chance's attempts to get into Batman's head to lead him to the realization. In a year when DC is flooding the market with Batman, the best Batman story turns out to be one where the Caped Crusader doesn't even show up

MoonyLoony

Feb 11, 2023

One of my favorite issues in this series so far. Some of King’s finest Batman work, period. I liked the pacing of this issue and how Chance is finally confronting the inevitability of his soon demise. Lots of great character depth from Ice in this one as well. Love him or hate him, Tom King is a damn good writer.

Avanvolk

Jun 19, 2024

Such a brilliant depiction of the anxiety and paranoia that Batman strikes in the heart of those at odds with the law. I thought this was fantastic. My only gripe is that I felt the ending was a little anti-climactic, but otherwise it was incredibly entertaining.

Afre

Nov 22, 2022

What a wonderful issue. The pacing has slowed, but it doesn't bother me. It's an issue that we don't see so often. How the "prey" sees their "predator", The Dark Knight. And it's done well.

Jawsh

Dec 15, 2022

The colors of this series I am going to miss. I love ICE! And clever use of the caped crusader. Makes this world feel really alive and moving.

Linkush

Nov 22, 2022

Clever use of Batman here. Really shows how frightening Batman can be in the eyes of his targets.

DDJamesB

Nov 27, 2022

This night have been my favorite issue. The issue itself is a tad light on plot progression until the end. It's just a well written issue.

Loafy Trophy

Dec 01, 2022

This one goes right near the top of the "Batman" issues King has ever written. Such a smart use of the character's reputation with epic work by Smallwood, as usual. I particularly loved the panel of Ice when she finally realized (with good reason) why Chance was so paranoid.

Kalaoui

Aug 30, 2023

Really good filler issue and great looking too. It works for what it is.

untheforte

Dec 05, 2022

This book has been kind of meandering since it came back...