Have your children been asking to read Dog Man? Maybe you have one or two books but aren’t sure what order to read them in. No matter the reason that brought you here, I have the answers for you!
Dog Man is a hit series, created by the author of Captain Underpants, Dav Pilkey. The graphic novels follow Dog Man, a crime-fighting half-dog, half-man hero.
Along with his friends, he is tasked with cleaning up the city, and putting a stop to Petey, the World’s Most Evil Cat! The series was first published in 2016 and now contains 11 books.
Each book is targeted towards younger readers, suitable for anyone aged six to ten. The books are all funny, with a focus on positivity and boosting a child’s self-esteem and comfort in their own skin.
A Dog Man movie is also currently in development at DreamWorks Animation. The graphic novels are all hugely popular, thanks to their humor and colorful illustrations.
Each page is similar to a comic book in design, with a good balance between prose and illustrations, helping younger readers become better independent readers. But in what order should the books be read?
Is there a right order to read Dog Man? That’s what I am here to tell you! Keep reading to find out more about Dog Man and what order the 11 books should be read in. I also have included some spoiler-free information about the books for you to check out too!
About Dog Man
Dog Man is a series of 11 graphic novels that follows a superhero dog, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey. After an explosion, police dog Greg is injured.
To save him and Officer Knight, doctors put Greg’s head on Knight’s body, turning him into Dog Man! Dog Man is part dog, part man, fighting crime and battling his nemesis, Petey, an evil cat.
The series follows Dog Man as he teams up with his friends, a robot and a kitten, calling themselves the Supa Buddies.
There is lots of humor in the Dog Man series, along with lessons that benefit all ages. The books are illustrated beautifully with a decent amount of prose, allowing younger readers to enjoy them alone, or with adults, if needed.
Overall, the themes are positive. Each book covers the importance of being true to yourself, persistence, kindness, and empathy.
Dog Man Books In Order
The best way to read the Dog Man books is in the order of publication. This ensures that you get continuity and see the characters grow and develop as Pilkey intended.
I have the order down below for you, and a brief overview of each graphic novel to help you see what happens to Dog Man in each book!
The first Dog Man graphic novel sees the creation of Dog Man. There is plenty of humor and action in the book as we see Dog Man come to be and get to grips with his new identity.
The book is suitable for younger readers and helps them develop their speech and pronunciation skills.
Pros
Funny and lighthearted.
Well-developed characters.
Cons
Some readers found that the book is overwhelming to look at.
In the second installment, Dog Man Unleashed, Dog Man is still learning the tricks of the trade. He notices that something fishy is going on and sets about to uncover the cause of crime in his city.
With Petey still causing trouble, Dog Man has lots to keep him busy as he tries to prevent crime. There’s a lighthearted tone throughout the book, suitable for readers aged six to nine.
Dog Man: A Tale Of Two Kitties sees Petey cause more trouble! He’s managed to clone himself, giving Dog Man twice the trouble and crime to solve! Dog Man also finds himself causing a bit of trouble on the force.
Sure, he’s solving crime, but is the slobber he leaves behind becoming an issue? There’s plenty of action and fun again in the third installment of Dog Man!
Pros
Witty and funny.
Bright and engaging illustrations.
Cons
Some readers would have enjoyed more details throughout.
Dog Man returns, and this time with a partner! Cat Kid joins in the fourth installment of Dog Man to help rescue a glamorous movie star that has gone missing.
Can Dog Man and Cat Kid find them in time, or will Petey the evil cat be up to his old tricks and cause trouble again?
Pros
Bright colors make it super engaging for younger readers.
Cat Kid is a fun and likable character.
Cons
Some of the kidnapping scenes might be distressing for some readers.
Dog Man has more friends again! In Dog Man: Lord Of The Fleas, he teams up with a cute kitten and robot to defeat crime! But this time, there is an unlikely ally, Petey the evil cat! Is this the time for Petey to turn his back on vengeance?
And can the team stop the crime that is ravaging the city? The fifth installment of Dog Man answers these questions, and more!
Pros
There is more of Petey in the book than in previous installments.
Lots of funny moments.
Cons
Some of the language might be tricky for younger readers.
Things take a turn for Dog Man in Brawl Of the Wild. He is sent to the pound, framed for a crime he didn’t commit! It’s up to his pals to get to work proving his innocence, while Dog Man struggles to find his place in the world.
Will he ever fully fit in with people or dogs? The sixth book in the series explores the relationship Dog Man has with other characters and his identity in more detail than the other books.
Pros
Interesting and engaging characters.
Good level of humor while addressing deeper issues.
Cons
The language isn’t as suitable for younger readers as in previous books.
Things are heating up in For Whom The Ball Rolls! Dog Man finds himself the target of a new supervillain as his obsessions become fears and he works to overcome bad habits!
At the same time, Petey is released from jail and begins living a new life with Li’l Petey. But the arrival of Petey’s father forces him to fight for those he loves and face his past. Will there be a happy ending for your favorite Dog Man characters?
Pros
Interesting storyline.
Good to see new characters being included.
Cons
Some of the content might be upsetting for younger readers.
Fetch-22 focuses more on Petey, who is out of jail with a new lease on life. While he has found what matters most in life, Li’l Petey is struggling to find good in the world. Can Dog Man and Petey work together?
Now more than ever, the world and Li’l Petey need them to be a team! The positive messages are shared again in Fetch-22, encouraging young readers to look for the good in situations and people.
Dog Man is out of a job! The Mayor puts an end to Dog Man in Grime And Punishment, stripping him of his role on the force. But can he find a way back onto the force?
With the help of his pals, Dog Man tries to find a way back into work, while stopping danger and crime as he goes! Once more, there are plenty of jokes, action, and Dog Man-based adventures to keep your children happy and entertained.
In Mothering Heights, Dog Man and Petey face their biggest challenge yet! Dog Man is down on his luck and Petey needs to face up to his past. New villains enter the town, leaving everything dark and miserable!
Can the pair work together to fight evil and win once more? Mothering Heights includes some songs that younger readers will enjoy reading or singing along to. There is plenty of fun to be had when reading the 10th Dog Man book!
In the 11th book, Dog Man must join forces with his pals to defeat Piggy! He has returned, with a diabolical plan and must be stopped. But with new villains appearing, how will they stop them all?
And is there anyone else that can step in when the Supa Buddies find themselves in trouble? This Dog Man book is dramatic and packed full of action, allowing readers to see Dog Man interact with new characters and face more exciting adventures.
Pros
Lots of action.
Good to see more of Dog Man again.
Cons
It can be hard to keep track of all the new characters.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, the order you should read the Dog Man graphic novels in! By reading Dog Man in the order the books were published, you get to see Dog Man go through his trials and tribulations as Pilkey intended.
You also get to see the growth of Petey as he transitions from the World’s Most Evil Cat to a compassionate cat that cares for others and is finally able to move on from his past.
Dog Man teaches young readers lots of positive messages, including being true to yourself, kindness and compassion towards others, and standing up for what you believe in.
Sure, some of the jokes are fart-based and a little crude, but there’s no getting away from it. But what child doesn’t enjoy that? You are guaranteed to have plenty of laughs when reading Dog Man and it is sure to get your children interested in reading!
Whether they love animals, superheroes, or bright illustrations, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the Dog Man series. I bet you will find yourself enjoying the books too! So what are you waiting for? Grab a copy of Dog Man today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our brief FAQ section today to get your last-minute questions answered!
Is There A Dog Man Movie?
A Dog Man movie is currently in development with DreamWorks Animation, but there has been no information about casting, production, or a release date.
What Age Group Is The Dog Man Series For?
The Dog Man series is aimed for readers aged six to ten. This does depend on the reading age of the child, so think about your child when deciding if it’s an appropriate series or not.
There are some large or tricky words in the series, but overall, it’s a good one to use if you want your child to become more confident at reading independently.
Noah Burton works as a Librarian full time, and is a blogger in his spare time. His goal is to write compelling recommendations for all of the most popular books he can find, from science fiction to romance.
With a passion for books, a drive to find new reads to get stuck into, and a love for sharing book recommendations with others, Noah can help you find the next novel for your bucket list.
