Christopher Chance, the titular "Human Target", is just what his name implies: For the right price, Chance will assume the identity of people whose lives are endangered, using everything from fake mustaches and wigs, to Dermal Implants and Plastic Surgery. Here Chance assumes the identity of Dai Thomas, B-Movie actor, who is the third target of a homicidal Hollywood screenwriter trying to raise money for his movie project. After killing the stalker, Chance gets a bit of shocking news: The writer had kidnapped child-star Ronan White, and had hidden him away. With the kidnapper dead, Ronan will die of starvation, if he isn't dead already....and so Chance is forced to assume the identity of the killer/kidnapper, and descends into a maelstrom of drugs, murder, and nasty secrets.

The underlying theme of Chance being absorbed into the "Roles" he plays is dealt with by Writer Peter Milligan very convincingly, and the art by Javier Pulido is perfectly suited to the twisty story. Milligan manages to tie all of the loose ends up in an ending that is not only satisfying, but jaw-dropping. How often can you sat that a book left you speechless at the end? Simply an amazing effort all around. The book is divided into 4 comic-book sized chapters, which makes me think that this was originally intended as a mini-series, and someone at DC thought it was so good it merited the deluxe treatment. If that's the case, there may be hope for DC's hardcover line yet.... :)

--JJR

If you have ANY belief in God, and even if you don't, I would definitely recommend that you read this book. You'll learn that science and religion can co-exist quite beautifully and that science and the application of the scientific method just may be the key to experiencing a paradigm shift in theologic matters.

The book will also show you that keeping an open mind towards God and religion is an important aspect on your spiritual journey. Why ridicule and "fight against" other religions when you can embrace them and build upon your own beliefs with some of their beliefs that you weren't originally familiar with? Why deny God when our limited thought processes can't even begin to comprehend the concept and actuality of God?

Read this book. . . if not for the scientific and theological value, for the great pleasure of reading a truly inspiring book!

ASLIB Book Guide, Volume 63, No. 12, December 1998 "...This is a well-organised presentation of the concepts and activities involved in oil and gas recovery, from exploration and development to production, management and decommissioning. "

AAPG Bulletin Vol. 83, no. 3, R.F. Ehinger, February 1999 "...This book will be a good reference source for companies engaged in international operations..."

Marine and Petroleum Geology, D.G. Roberts, 1999 "...Reviewing this book was a pleasure and I gained some new perspectives. I can highly recommend the book to any graduate students wishing to enter oil exploration and production as well as new entrants. And also indeed to practising scientists in the oil industry who wish to gain a wider view outside their area os specialism. Non-technical professionals will also find the book of equal value. ...will be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of any professional in the exploration and production business. "

Australian Mineral Foundation Alert "This publication is an excellent practical guide and would be of great value to anyone wishing to attain an overview of the hydrocarbon exploration and production process, particularly those studying petroleum geoscience at university level. "

Dialog, 15 May 1998 "...I consider that the principal authors have achieved their goal of providing an introduction to the upstream industry in its broadest sense, an aspiration that has been facilitated by the synopsis of commercial relevance that precedes each chapter. (...) I am pleased to commend this work to those who are seeking to acquire or develop laterally a base knowledge of the practices of the upstream sector of the hydrocarbon industry. "

Australian Mineral Foundation Alert, 1999 "...This publication is an excellent practical guide and would be of great value to anyone wishing to attain an overview of the hydrocarbon exploration and production process, particularly those studying petroleum geoscience at university level. "

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, A.E. Gurevich and G.V. Chilingar, 1999

"....It was a real pleasure to read this book - an actual concise encyclopedia of the modern upstream petroleum industry in all its activities. (...) Its lucid presentation of the whole upstream petroleum industry operatons as a holistic logical process motivated and controlled by a combination of geological, technical, and economical reasons makes this book an utmost necessity for a college student, beginner in the petroleum profession, as well as experienced professional in a narrow field of petroleum industry. "