The Mannamong

“Some spirits guide us. Others haunt us. One will change the world forever.”

When 8-year-old Kali Teal discovers that a rogue spirit named Tontorus has taken root in her soul, she is thrust into the hidden world of the mannamong—ancient spirits of nature long forgotten by humanity. As Kali fights to reclaim her body, she uncovers a truth tied to an ancient legend, a lost priestess, and the return of a power that could reshape both the mortal and spiritual realms.

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What is The Mannamong?

Kali (Kay-lee) Teal has always sensed the unseen, but when she falls mysteriously ill, she learns the truth—her body has become the vessel for Tontorus, a rogue mannamong with a dark past. Now, she must navigate the world of spirits, battling fear and doubt as she seeks to uncover the mannamong’s hidden history and her own connection to their fate. With each discovery, Kali is drawn deeper into an ancient struggle between order and chaos, where the truth about her soul—and the spirit bound to it—could determine the future of both mankind and the mannamong.

“An engaging tale that offers fantastical storytelling and hair-raising adventure.”
— Kirkus Review

About the creator

Michael Adam Lengyel writes stories that he wished were available when he was a child. As he didn't enjoy reading, he was attracted to manga and the stories they conveyed, and it was this medium that ignited his passion for storytelling. When he was 12 years old, he started crafting his own stories, resulting in the creation of The Mannamong. This 2023 Eisner-nominated webcomic, now in print, invites 8-12-year-olds into a world where mythical spirits, born of Mother Nature, come to life. A graduate of the prestigious Ringling College of Art and Design, class of 2015, Lengyel holds a B.A. in Business of Art and Design. Lengyel's work seamlessly blends artistic prowess with a business mindset, leaving an indelible mark on young readers with his enchanting narratives and vivid illustrations.

The Mannamong - Volume 1

Kali Teal is one little girl who has heard of the mannamong through her mother’s bedtime stories, finding comfort in them as she wrestles with a severe illness. Only to discover they do exist when they cure her in her dream. Revealing a rogue mannamong is the cause of her intense fevers! This left her to wonder if the mannamong were made to help humans and why this one was haunting her.

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The Mannamong - Volume 2

Stuck between the mannamong’s affairs, Kali struggles to find peace with Tontorus, the rogue mannamong who has taken over her soul. As Kali becomes increasingly anxious and angry, she slowly transforms into a mannamong spirit, losing her humanity and risks disappearing forever. On top of this, she’s also dealing with the stress of of being shadowed by mannamong hunters seeking to capture Tontorus. Can Kali stop the transformation and turn things around before it’s too late?

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What our readers say…

This story is great I even bought the physical book to read ahead. I am looking forward to when the next volume comes out.

Man, this comic addresses some deep issues. I love it. Like talking about the importance of people taking the hard way and learning for themselves. Going along and giving someone what they want isn't always good for them and sometimes it brings out the worst in them.

Another fantastic chapter the characters feel so real and so wonderful! Thank you!

I am so invested in this comic now, wow!

I wish I'd known about this series before.

Love this story and your art!

The colour. The art. The mannamong. Beautiful.

I'm loving the story so far and the art is so good!

If Mom and Dad are Potterheads along with little Billy and Suzy, then you are going to love The Mannamong. And though this book is geared for readers around 8-12, this is a series full of wonder and magic that can be enjoyed by adults as well!

Lengyel has done the improbable by crafting a story that’s geared toward a younger audience without making it unreadable for us old folks. His writing style is perfectly suited to the job, staying relatively straight forward and accessible, while slipping in sly moments of humor and just enough maturity to keep adult readers involved.

My son reads all the time and it's hard to keep up with him. But when this book came in the mail, I handed it to him and didn't hear from him till dinner. He's eight and was reading at the table (a no-no in our house) so I told him to put it away until after. That's when he informed me that was his second time through and he was desperate for the second book! he read it one more time during his reading time before bed and has continued to return to it between other books. The next day he brought it to school. I hope some of his friend's parents buy it. It's so worth it and I'll be keeping an eye out for book 2!

My husband and I backed this on Kickstarter and we do not regret the pledge. The artwork is cute, friendly, and extremely approachable which contrasts with the story's rather dark premise. Furthermore, while Kali is a strong and competent protagonist, her vulnerability and confusion by her situation are palpable to a degree not often found in children's literature. Her predicament leaves her understandably bewildered and grief-stricken by the consequences of a something she never asked to be part of, but her wits and attention to detail help her find some measure of control in the madness.

I bought this book for my kids and they loved it!! My 9 year old read it to my 5 year old in a couple of days. They inhaled this, it was a real treat for them. If your kids like Pokemon, Digimon, etc. they will enjoy this book.