Dog Man reviewed
Welcome to the wonderful world of Dog Man, an illustrated graphic novel series created by author and illustrator Dav Pilkey and published by Scholastic Corporation.
Pilkey is an acclaimed author best known for creating the beloved Captain Underpants series. Pilkey has been an impressive illustrator since his earliest school days, and the turning point of his career path came when a teacher discovered his notebook full of hilarious illustrations and wacky stories. Pilkey and his wife, Sayuri, now live near Seattle, Washington.
With Dog Man, Pilkey has created another beloved character, a lovable pet-turned-superhero ready to fight crime and save the day. The Dog Man comic books have sold an impressive 3.8 million copies as of 2020, a great accomplishment for a children’s novel.
Dog Man—A quick plot synopsis
Dog Man is the most recent creation of the in-book characters George and Harold. Their story begins with a bomb explosion that leaves Officer Knight with a dying head and Greg the dog with a dying body. It’s a pretty grim start to such a lighthearted novel. But a clever nurse named Genie S. Lady suggests a radical procedure to try and save the dog’s and officer’s life by the most extreme means imaginable—by merging them. Thus, Dog Man is born with the strengths and weaknesses of both a dog and a human.
Dog Man is the new hero in town and faces off against villains like Petey the Cat, the “World’s Most Evilest Cat,” and the adorkably evil Fuzzy Little Evil Animal Squad to save the day.
The Dog Man graphic novel series includes these books in order:
- Dog Man
- Dog Man Unleashed
- A Tale of Two Kitties
- Dog Man and Cat Kid
- Lord of the Fleas
- Brawl of the Wild
- For Whom the Ball Rolls
- Fetch-22
- Grime and Punishment
- Mothering Heights
Each of these books explores a new adventure, with more friends and baddies to meet and fall in love with. In addition to the main books, more adventures await in the spinoffs set in the same universe, such as the Cat Kid Comic Club.
Awards for the Dog Man series
The Dog Man series has been met with great enthusiasm from readers of all ages and has received awards for Best Books of the Year in 2017 for Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties and 2018 for Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas. Additionally, the series has enjoyed acclaim from fans of all ages.
Dav Pilkey himself has won several awards, including Comic Industry Person of the Year in 2019 and the Milner Award, The favorite children’s book author in 2016.
Dog Man—Our review
More than a single book review, let’s get into our thoughts and overview on the whole series.
The first book in the series, Dog Man, follows a police dog who is transformed into a superhero with a dog’s head and a human body, a strange yet surprisingly comical example of body horror. The crime-fighting duo of Dog Man and his best friend, Cat Kid, then take on various enemies.
The main baddies include Petey the Cat, the evil “genius” who accidentally created Cat Kid when Petey tried cloning himself, and the F.L.E.A.S: the Fuzzy Little Evil Animal Squad, who threaten to take over their town. Along the way, Dog Man learns valuable friendship, loyalty, and justice lessons.
So why is Dog Man such a hit? The series is fun and charming in a simple, silly way, with a fast-paced plot and colorful illustrations that help bring the characters to life. Young readers will love the humorous silliness and light-heartedness of the story. At the same time, adults may also find themselves enjoying the comedic relief and the messages about friendship and justice that it conveys, along with some sprinkles of potty humor. If you’re an adult who grew up watching cartoon animals fighting crime, this series may evoke a feeling of nostalgia.
This series is an excellent tool to get kids to read when they’re just starting. The books are easy to read and will only take a few minutes to complete. The quirkiness and vibrant colors will keep them coming back for more. And luckily, the series has many volumes.
We highly recommend Dog Man to readers of all ages looking for a great adventure story with a message of friendship and justice. It’s also a must-read for any child who cannot get enough cute cartoon critters. Dav Pilkey’s delightful illustrations and humor make this series a real treat that will keep you and your kids laughing and engaged for hours. Children can also have fun bringing some pages to life with the Pilkey’s iconic Flip-o-Rama illustrations.
If you or your child love books such as the Bad Guys series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, or Dav Pilkey’s other Captain Underpants books or you’ll likely love Dog Man and his friends.
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FAQ
Is Dog Man a good series?
The Dog Man graphic novel series, is fun for children and their parents. Many of the books are best sellers among children’s books on Amazon.
What age group is Dog Man for?
The Dog Man books are ideal for 6- to 10-year-olds, but younger and older audiences may find the quirky characters and plots entertaining and endearing as well.
What grade level of reading is Dog Man?
Dog Man is great for readers in the second grade and up. It is suitable for children who have just learned to read.
How many books are in the Dog Man series?
There are 10 books in the main series and several spinoff books.
What do you think about Dog Man?
The books are entertaining and funny if you like potty humor and crazy animal antics.
