New Statesmen

New Statesmen was a series by writer John Smith and artists Jim Baikie, Duncan Fegredo and Sean Phillips which ran in the first 14 issues of the anthology title Crisis in 1988-89 (it later reappeared in #28). Set in the dystopian future of America in 2047, it concerns a group of genetically modified superhumans, one assigned to each state (with Britain having become the 51st state), who were basically living weapons. The story begins at a time when the 'Optimen', as they are known, have become well known to the general public and, while still effectively government agents, are following their own sometimes conflicting agendas. It was later reprinted in a five issue prestige format limited series for the American market.