A growing problem with an increasing number of long-form story webcomics lies with pacing in the comics. More and more webcartoonists have seen webcomics as a means of presenting the novel they’ve long desired to write. Unfortunately, it can take forever for a comic’s story to be revealed, and the slow pace can discourage readers from putting a comic on their reading list. This is one of the problems I had with Kenyagi, a comic about a young woman who possesses magical powers she cannot control.

Or at least, I think that’s what Kenyagi is about. Indeed, the first chapter of Kenyagi follows that basic premise, starting with a brief tale of how Chi’era came across the Sashaim Goddess Sashi while gathering roots for her mother. Unfortunately, Sashi’s identity is only given if you view the character page; there is no explanation for the white-haired lady in over 50 updates of comic and no explanation as to why Sashi has shown interest in Chi’era, or why the girl is the nexus for poltergeist activity.

That’s not to say the comic has nothing of merit. The artwork is better than quite a few comics out there, and while the coloring has shifted from colored pencils to nicely rendered photoshop colors and back again, Maya Lindell’s artwork remains top notch. My primary gripe lies with the fact we don’t have any real clues as to where the comic is going after 53 updates. We’ve also not really had a chance to get a real feel for who Chi’era is, or any of the people around her. Lindell is erring on the side of caution, in trying to take her time in telling this story… and risks losing her audience unless the pace is picked up. Despite this drawback, the comic’s merits outweigh the slow pace of its story, and is worth reading.

Addendum Note: Kenyagi has gone on hiatus so that Lindell can concentrate on one of her comics (she was working on several at once), Of Snakes and Apples.