Celebrate Dog Man book #14 Big Jim Believes with how to read all the books, including the spinoffs.
You really can’t keep a good superhero down — especially when they’re also a very good boy. Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series is just about to release its fourteenth installment – Dog Man: Big Jim Believes – just ahead of the first Dog Man movie.
But wait, you might be asking yourself: I’ve never even read one Dog Man book, never mind 13. And what is the Cat Kid Comic Club? How am I going to catch up with all of this stuff by January, anyway? The first place to start is by checking out our explainer on the new book and the Dog Man mythos, which gives you a solid basis for checking out the books themselves and just diving in. You know what would help with that, though? A list of all the Dog Man books to help you know how to read the Dog Man series (and more!) in order.
Are you wondering if those colorful Dog Man books need to be read in a specific order? Maybe your kid is begging for the newest one but hasn’t read the earlier ones? I totally get it – with 10 books in the series now figuring out where to start can be confusing!
As a parent who’s gone through the “Dog Man phase” with my own kids, I’m here to share everything you need to know about reading these hilarious graphic novels in order.
The Short Answer: Yes, They Should Be Read in Order!
While each Dog Man book contains its own complete adventure, the series works best when read in sequence from book 1 to book 10. Characters develop, relationships evolve, and some jokes and storylines build on previous books.
The Complete Dog Man Series in Publication Order
Here’s the full list of Dog Man books in the correct reading order
- Dog Man (2016) – 231 pages
- Dog Man Unleashed (2016) – 224 pages
- Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties (2017) – 256 pages
- Dog Man and Cat Kid (2017) – 256 pages
- Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas (2018) – 256 pages
- Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild (2018) – 224 pages
- Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls (2019) – 256 pages
- Dog Man: Fetch-22 (2019) – 240 pages
- Dog Man: Grime and Punishment (2020) – 240 pages
- Dog Man: Mothering Heights (2021) – 224 pages
Why Reading Order Matters for Dog Man
You might be thinking, “They’re just silly kids’ books – does order really matter?” I thought the same thing until my son skipped from book 1 to book 5 and was totally confused about who some characters were!
Here’s why the reading order is important:
- Character Development: Characters like Petey the Cat and his clone Li’l Petey change significantly throughout the series
- Ongoing Storylines: Some plot points carry across multiple books
- Inside Jokes: Later books reference earlier adventures and gags
- Growing Complexity: The stories become more nuanced as the series progresses
What Happens in Each Dog Man Book?
Let me break down each book so you can see how the story evolves:
1. Dog Man (2016)
This is where it all begins! We meet Dog Man, a police officer with a dog’s head and a human body. After a terrible accident, the body of Officer Knight and the head of his K-9 partner Greg are surgically attached to create the world’s greatest crime fighter.
Reading Time: Approximately 8 hours
2. Dog Man Unleashed (2016)
Dog Man faces new challenges and villains, showing more of his dog-like behaviors while fighting crime. This book really establishes the series’ signature humor.
Reading Time: Approximately 7 hours
3. A Tale of Two Kitties (2017)
This is where the series starts to develop more complex storylines. We meet Li’l Petey, a clone of the villainous Petey. This father-son relationship becomes a major ongoing theme.
Reading Time: Approximately 9 hours
4. Dog Man and Cat Kid (2017)
Li’l Petey becomes “Cat Kid” and teams up with Dog Man! Their friendship becomes central to the series moving forward.
Reading Time: Approximately 9 hours
5. Lord of the Fleas (2018)
New villains appear, and we see more character growth, especially for Petey as he struggles with his role as a father.
Reading Time: Approximately 9 hours
6. Brawl of the Wild (2018)
Dog Man is falsely accused of a crime! This book has more emotional depth than earlier ones as it explores themes of identity.
Reading Time: Approximately 7 hours
7. For Whom the Ball Rolls (2019)
Dog Man works on controlling his more doglike impulses, while Petey continues his journey toward redemption.
Reading Time: Approximately 9 hours
8. Fetch-22 (2019)
The clever title hints at the more complex moral dilemmas in this installment. The characters face tough choices!
Reading Time: Approximately 8 hours
9. Grime and Punishment (2020)
This book focuses more on consequences for actions, showing how much the series has matured since book 1.
Reading Time: Approximately 8 hours
10. Mothering Heights (2021)
The latest adventure brings even more heart as it explores themes of family in unexpected ways.
Reading Time: Approximately 7 hours
What Makes Dog Man Books So Popular?
I honestly didn’t get the appeal at first, but after seeing my kids’ reaction, I understand why these books are so beloved:
- Perfect blend of silly humor and heartfelt moments
- Accessible reading level with sophisticated themes
- Empowering messages about being a hero
- Encourages creativity (the books are presented as being created by George and Harold from Pilkey’s Captain Underpants series)
- Surprisingly deep character development
Reading Stats for Dog Man Books
If you’re wondering about the time commitment, here’s a handy breakdown:
| Book Title | Page Count | Estimated Word Count | Reading Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Man | 231 | 57,750-69,300 | 8 hours |
| Dog Man Unleashed | 224 | 56,000-67,200 | 7 hours |
| A Tale of Two Kitties | 256 | 64,000-76,800 | 9 hours |
| Dog Man and Cat Kid | 256 | 64,000-76,800 | 9 hours |
| Lord of the Fleas | 256 | 64,000-76,800 | 9 hours |
| Brawl of the Wild | 224 | 56,000-67,200 | 7 hours |
| For Whom the Ball Rolls | 256 | 64,000-76,800 | 9 hours |
| Fetch-22 | 240 | 60,000-72,000 | 8 hours |
| Grime and Punishment | 240 | 60,000-72,000 | 8 hours |
| Mothering Heights | 224 | 56,000-67,200 | 7 hours |
Total series reading time: Approximately 81 hours
Can Kids Skip Around the Dog Man Series?
While I definitely recommend reading in order, it’s not the end of the world if your child reads them out of sequence. Each book does contain a complete story. However, they’ll miss some character development and continuing storylines.
If your kid is absolutely dying to read a later book first, go ahead and let them! You can always go back and fill in the gaps. The most important thing is that they’re excited about reading.
Dog Man Book Features That Parents Should Know
As a parent, I was pleasantly surprised by some aspects of these books:
- Vocabulary Development: Despite the silly tone, these books introduce challenging words
- Moral Lessons: Each book contains surprisingly thoughtful messages about friendship, responsibility, and redemption
- Creativity Encouragement: The books’ format inspires many kids to create their own comics
- Reluctant Reader Appeal: These books have converted many “I hate reading” kids into bookworms!
Where to Find Dog Man Books
Finding these popular books can sometimes be challenging since they’re often checked out at libraries! Here are your best options:
- Local Libraries: Place holds if necessary
- Bookstores: Most major retailers carry them
- Online: Available from major book retailers
- School Book Fairs: They’re always a hit here!
Final Thoughts: The Best Way to Enjoy Dog Man
In my experience, the absolute best way to enjoy the Dog Man series is:
- Start with book 1 and read in order
- Don’t rush – enjoy the silly jokes and puns
- Look closely at the illustrations – there are hidden jokes!
- Discuss the more meaningful themes with your kids
- Let your children read at their own pace – some will fly through them, others like to savor them
I remember my son laughing so hard he fell off the couch reading “Dog Man Unleashed,” and now my daughter is experiencing the same joy with the series. These books may seem silly on the surface, but they’ve created millions of passionate readers around the world.
So yes, Dog Man books DO go in order, and they’re best enjoyed that way – but the most important thing is that kids are reading and loving it!
Have your kids discovered Dog Man yet? Which book is their favorite? I’d love to hear about your family’s experience with these hilarious graphic novels!
How many Dog Man books are there?
There are 14 Dog Man books once Dog Man: Big Jim Returns is released. Its 19 if you add the Dog Man spinoff Cat Kid Comic Club, and 37 if you count the OG, Captain Underpants.
How to read the Dog Man books in order
There are twelve official books in the Dog Man series to date, and they are:
In terms of chronological order, it’s a very straightforward series: Book 2 takes place after Book 1, and so on. See? Simple! Unlike…
Dog man series – 1-12 #comics #dogman #books
FAQ
Should Dog Man books be read in order?
While you can technically read Dog Man books out of order, reading them in the published sequence is recommended to understand the overarching story and character development, as the series builds upon itself with each new installment. Reading in order enhances the humor and depth of the stories, and for fans of the series, following the official order allows for the best overall experience.
What order do the Dog Man books come in?
- Dog Man (2016)
- Dog Man: Unleashed (2016)
- Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties (2017)
- Dog Man and Cat Kid (2017)
- Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas (2018)
- Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild (2018)
- Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls (2019)
- Dog Man: Fetch-22 (2019)
What age are Dog Man books for in order?
With all the same humour and fun of Captain Underpants, Dog Man is a brilliant series of comic-book style novels loved by readers aged 6+.
Is Dog Man book 12 the last book?
Dog Man 12 is the last one | Fandom.