Everything is coming to a head. After two days of preparation, Maggie now finds herself in Vienna for Control’s mission to bring in a Chinese defector with information of the utmost importance. Meanwhile, Control is still nowhere to be found, and Maggie still isn’t sure whom she can trust. There’s a traitor in the Circus, and it could be anyone—even Control himself!
This third issue sees the conclusion of our story arc and the answers to the mysteries that have been building up since the beginning. It’s a great issue, well-written, with plenty of action, plenty of intrigue, and a neatly tied up conclusion. Still, part of me can’t help but want a bit more.
For one thing, I want to spend more time in this world. Velvet, the benchmark to which I’ve been comparing this comic, gave us 15 issues over the course of nearly three years. The fact that this one is over in just three feels like a bit of a letdown.
Of course, there’s plenty of room for more stories in this world and with these characters going forward. Not only is the ending left open to new adventures, the comic is also the continuation of a much larger universe encompassing at least a dozen novels. So, there can definitely be more John le Carré’s The Circus comics, and I sincerely hope there are plans for some.
Still, I would have liked to have spent a bit more time on this particular arc. The plot could easily have been expanded into at least another issue or two. In fact, even though this issue is longer than the previous two, the resolution still feels a bit rushed, like the whole adventure is over almost before you know it.
Honestly, though, the only reason I’m being critical of this comic at all is because I like it so much. It’s telling that my harshest criticism is that I wish there was more of it. Brief though it’s been, I’ve really enjoyed this adventure from the beginning, and I really hope there’s more to come. If you’re a fan of intricate and well-written espionage stories with compelling characters and complex spycraft, then do yourself a favor and check out this comic.
Creative Team: Matt Kindt (script), David Lapham (art), Brad Simpson (color), Simon Bowland (letters), Marco Finnegan (cover art)
Publisher: Dark Horse
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