John Le Carré’s The Circus: Losing Control is written by Matt Kindt and published by Dark Horse Comics. Artwork by Ibrahim Moustafa. Colours by Brad Simpson. Letters by Simon Bowland. Main cover art (left) is by Ibrahim Moustafa.
John Le Carré’s The Circus: Losing Control #3 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
Someone in the Circus is a traitor. And no matter who that is—even if it’s Control himself—Maggie will find out. In this series conclusion, Maggie must sift through the deceptions to find the truth . . . even if it destroys her.
Review
John le Carré first introduced the world to George Smiley and the Circus in his 1961 novel Call for the Dead. Most readers will know Smiley from le Carré’s 1974 smash-hit novel Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (adapted into a popular BBC drama in the late 1970s and a hit film starring Gary Oldman in 2011). Comic book continuations of popular novels and films are a dime a dozen. The world of James Bond, another famous British spy, has been explored in comics since the 1960s; however, le Carré’s work remained untouched until now.
Dark Horse released the first issue of The Circus: Losing Control in November 2025, marking the first time the world of George Smiley has expanded without its creator—and the first time it has appeared as a comic book.
Matt Kindt’s approach to expanding le Carré’s world is spot on.
Unlike today’s 007 continuation novels and comics, which either time-slip Bond into the present day, focus on other 00 agents while Bond is MIA, or serve up what-the-heck-am-I-reading cosy crime prequel novels about Bond’s supporting cast, Kindt wisely explores the Circus of today without reimagining Smiley or dragging him into the present day. It’s a smart and welcome way to continue le Carré’s world.
Unlike the world of 007, while George Smiley played a prominent role in many of the Circus novels, le Carré never relied on a central protagonist. Or, if there is one, you could argue that it is the Circus itself. This lends itself to the continuation without the need of Smiley as an anchor.
Losing Control delivers a more explosive ending than most Smiley novels; it feels true to the tone you’d expect from le Carré. Maggie, the series’ protagonist, is, in many ways, cut from the same cloth as Smiley in her unremarkable appearance. Yet she proves remarkably capable as she unravels the conspiracy behind Control’s sudden disappearance, the death of a Russian mole, and a Chinese defector.
The three-issue miniseries is an entertaining ride. Will it work for die-hard le Carré fans? Maybe, maybe not. What you do get is a world of eclectic characters and plenty of middle management and paper-pushing. It is a very unromantic take on the spy thriller that feels very much in keeping with the Circus novels. Le Carré’s world isn’t one of high-octane action but of dramatic suspense mixed with murder and plenty of bureaucracy. Kindt captures that atmosphere well.
While the series is fun overall, it does have its chinks. Given the story’s scope and the number of characters we encounter, the pacing feels a little rushed. Maggie is an interesting protagonist who meets compelling and dangerous people, yet the supporting cast never really shines. I also wouldn’t blame any reader who felt confused by the big reveal, as it comes across as a little murky.
The other issue is that, as an American with twenty years of lived experience in Britain, Kindt’s idea that Maggie puts on wellies (sturdy, heavy, clunky boots designed for rural use) to commute thirty minutes on the Tube into central London simply isn’t believable. Yes, she’s a germaphobe, but she still wouldn’t wear wellies to work in an office.
Lastly, the art. I wanted to love it, but I didn’t. While it’s perfectly decent, it never stands out. It doesn’t challenge or wow you as a reader. You won’t find yourself lingering over the pages; instead, you’ll flip straight past them. Some characters look stiff, while others—and many of the backgrounds—feel rushed and loose. Better colouring might have helped, but most panels remain dark, muted, and flat. The scenes rarely pop the way you hope they will, and for a world as rich and dynamic as le Carré’s, I wanted the artwork to reflect that.
Verdict
The Circus: Losing Control #3 is an entertaining ride that concludes the series in a satisfying way. Kindt does a good job bringing Le Carre’s world and the Circus to life in 2026. Overall, while I enjoyed it, the art does let the series down, and I wish the story had had the benefit of a longer run to flesh out the narrative and characters.
⭐⭐⭐
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