During his 1983 run on The Uncanny X-Men, Smith's work on issue 173 of that series would prove influential in two ways: It featured the debut of the punk look for the X-Men leader Storm,[1][2] and Smith's cover of that issue would influence both a latter comic book cover and a best-selling poster and retailer standee by artist Arthur Adams.
As a young comics fan, Smith particularly admired the work of Steve Ditko on The Amazing Spider-Man and Neal Adams on Batman.
[6] Marvel entered into an agreement with Smith for him to take over the art duties from Dave Cockrum on The Uncanny X-Men, then the biggest selling US comics series, for one year.
Smith had emigrated to the East Coast with dreams of drawing Spider-Man and Conan, and realized that his performance on X-Men would determine the future of his career.
I argued it was a joke and a monstrously bad idea but, given my departure following 175 was set prior to beginning my run, my vote didn’t count.
[3][4][5] Smith's splash page for issue #168, of Kitty Pryde in a ski jacket sharply turning towards the reader while yelling, "Professor Xavier is a jerk!
Smith's brief run on X-Men was distinguished by its smooth rendering and minimum of line,[6] and most of it was later reprinted in the From the Ashes trade paperback.
His other works include The Golden Age and the young adults comic Leave It to Chance, both collaborations with writer James Robinson.
Smith has also contributed art to a number of First Comics titles including American Flagg!, Nexus, and GrimJack.