The Disappeared

From Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Spencer Ackerman, the story of an immigrant father and the radicalized son he lost—first to al-Qaeda, then to two decades in CIA black sites and Guantanamo Bay’s notorious Camp VII—a landmark work of investigative reporting that uncovers the operational heart of the War on Terror and the lives of the world’s most wanted terrorists within it

When Majid Khan landed a lucrative data entry job straight out of his Baltimore high school, he was on the verge of securing a place in the American middle class for his Pakistani immigrant family. But his mother’s unexpected death unraveled his life. On a visit back to Pakistan—before his father, Ali, could catch on—Majid fell in with a jihadist branch of their extended family, who introduced him to the “brotherhood” and its mysterious leader, a man Majid later would recognize as Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the mastermind of 9/11. When the authorities arrested Majid, they were hoping he would lead them to a higher-value target. Majid, himself, figured it was a case of mistaken identity: he was too small-time to be of interest to the Americans. But that night would prove the start of a horrifying journey down the rabbit hole: one that would continue for nearly twenty years—and one that the United States planned to keep hidden forever.

In a historic feat of investigative reporting, Spencer Ackerman reconstructs Majid’s time in al-Qaeda’s post-9/11 inner circle and follows him through the secret torture facilities where the United States would detain him for decades alongside figures like Abu Zubaydah and Khalid Shaikh Mohammed himself. In parallel, Ackerman follows Ali Khan’s search for his disappeared son, even as the FBI put Ali under investigation—drawing little distinction between Majid and his pro-American father.

Never before has an American journalist gained such access to the al-Qaeda of the pivotal period right after 9/11. The Disappeared delivers the most comprehensive account of CIA torture ever reported, including sexual assaults that the agency called medical procedures. Ackerman also affords us history’s only glimpse inside Guantanamo Bay’s top-secret Camp VII—and the first English-language report of the 2003 Jakarta bombing from the survivors’ perspectives. Unlike the few existing glimpses we have of life inside Guantanamo, Majid Khan’s story is not one of mistaken identity or accidental imprisonment. Majid was a member of al-Qaeda—but that is where the moral reckoning starts, not ends.

This is the untold story of the War on Terror working precisely as its architects designed. Now the authoritarian consequences for America have come due.

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