Tobi Dahmen and Akram Al Saud Collaborate on Graphic Novel About Syrian Dissident

Tobi Dahmen has released a graphic novel titled "Al-Fazia' – Das Grauen" (The Horror), based on the harrowing experiences of Syrian dissident Akram Al Saud. The book, published by Carlsen in 2026, recounts Al Saud's story from his wrongful arrest in Aleppo in 2010 at age 19, through nine months of brutal imprisonment, his subsequent involvement in the revolution against the Assad regime, further detentions, and eventual flight to Europe in 2016. The project emerged from the international initiative "Survivor-Centred Visual Narratives" at the University of Victoria, Canada, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Dahmen describes developing deep trust with Al Saud over numerous meetings, gaining insight into the experiences of torture survivors. The book includes an extensive appendix detailing historical context and the collaborative process.