New Statesmen

John Smith's New Statesmen launched in 1989 as a five-issue series from Fleetway/Quality, a politically charged superhero saga that reimagined British icons as fallible, morally complex figures. With art by Jim Baikie, Sean Phillips, and Duncan Fegredo, the series explored the cost of power and national identity through a dark, satirical lens. Though brief, its sharp writing and striking visuals made it a cult touchstone for mature superhero storytelling in the UK comics scene.