A Classified Affair

A marriage built on secrecy unravels when a British MI6 agent and “mole-hunter” disappears, leaving his estranged wife to wonder if he has vanished behind the Iron Curtain in pursuit of a traitor, or if he's the wanted man himself.

London, 1979. Even as Alice unlocks her front door, she is certain she's being watched—but whether by British intelligence, foreign agents, or someone closer to home she cannot say. Her husband, an MI6 agent, has been missing for weeks, but is it her infidelity that has driven him away—or something more sinister? He's long been tasked with investigating the Cambridge Five spy ring and rooting out its upper-crust members such as the infamous “Third Man,” Kim Philby, but Alice wonders if he is still hunting those elusive Cold War master spies, or if he himself is being hunted. And for what, exactly?

Over the course of forty-eight hours, Alice calls on old friends and enemies alike in an increasingly frantic search for any clue to her husband’s fate. Forced to reexamine every interaction, assignation, and scrap of gossip from her past, Alice is drawn deeper into a perilous world of surveillance, deceit, and clandestine dealmaking, where everyone—even she—has something to hide.

A sophisticated and deeply atmospheric game of cat-and-mouse told by a master storyteller, A Classified Affair explores the emotional stakes of a marriage built on lies, the social and sexual politics of an empire on the wane, and the inner life of a willful, wily operator no longer relegated to the sidelines of a man’s game.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs