Anything is Paw-ssible When You Read the Dog Man Graphic Novels
It’s almost impossible to be around children without hearing about the Dog Man graphic novels. With more than a dozen stories and a movie adaptation, now is the perfect time to grab the Dog Man books in order and join everyone’s favorite crime fighter in all his barking mad adventures.
Who Wrote the Dog Man Graphic Novels?
Dav Pilkey is the author of the Dog Man graphic novels—and so many more! The American author, illustrator, and comic book writer has penned over 75 books and been a spokesperson for dyslexia and ADHD, even going so far as to call them his own superpowers. If you and your kiddo are learning how to read graphic novels, his titles are a great place to start.
Other Series by Dav Pilkey:
- Captain Underpants
- Super Diaper Baby
- Cat Kid
- Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot
- Dragon
- The Dumb Bunnies
What Age Range Are the Dog Man Graphic Novels For?
At face value, the Dog Man graphic novels are recommended for readers between second and fifth grade. But any fan of graphic novels will tell you that, because of their humor and comic book format, they’re suitable for slightly older, more reluctant readers, as well. If your kid loves The Baby-Sitters Club or InvestiGators, this series is the perfect pick.
Themes Explored in the Dog Man Graphic Novels:
- Kindness
- Empathy
- Love
- Persistence
- Being true to yourself
Do You Have to Read the Dog Man Books In Order?
The short answer? No! You do not have to read the Dog Man books in publication order.
While there are overarching storylines and repeating characters, every single Dog Man graphic novel is designed to be a standalone book. Since each one starts with a short recap section that reintroduces the cast of characters, you’re welcome to bounce around to whatever graphic novel interests you most.
The Dog Man Books in Order:
#1: Dog Man
Best friends George and Harold have put their heads together to create a new breed of crimefighter. With the head of a dog, the body of a human, Dog Man proudly wears the badge. But can he learn how to resist his animalistic nature to dig into deception and claw after crooks? Find out in the first graphic novel of the series, Dog Man.
#2: Dog Man Unleashed
Something smells fishy! When Petey the Cat escapes jail and begins plotting the purr-fect way to commit high-profile heists, Dog Man will have to learn how to sniff out injustice and take down his forever foe. If you’re reading the Dog Man books in order, make sure to pick up Dog Man Unleashed after the first.
#3: Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties
He was the best of dogs, he was the worst of dogs, but in Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties, Dog Man’s not seeing double! Petey the Cat has managed to create a dangerous kitten clone! Will he be able to work twice as hard to remain top dog? Or will those furballs finally get to him?
#4: Dog Man and Cat Kid
In the fourth Dog Man book in order, Dog Man and Cat Kid, everyone’s favorite hero is back—but he’s not alone. When a glamorous movie starlet goes missing, he and his new furry feline sidekick will have to work together to evade Petey’s misdirection and save the day.
#5: Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas
When a new villainous trio known as the F.L.E.A.S. rolls into town, Dog Man, his kitten sidekick, and a remarkable robot are called into action. There’s just one problem: in order to save the day, they’ll need to team up with Petey, the World’s Most Evil Cat. Will he be able to ignore his feisty feline urges? Find out in the fifth book in order, Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas.
#6: Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild
In Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild, our favorite canine cop is framed and sent to the pound. But while his friends work to prove his innocence, Dog Man is struggling with an even greater issue. When you’re a part of both the dog world and the human world, how can you ever fit in?
#7: Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls
Breaking bad habits is tough for Dog Man, but with his Supa Buddies at his side, anything is possible. That is, until he finds himself the target of a brand-new supervillain! Meanwhile, after being released from jail and starting a new life with Li’l Petey, Petey the Cat is facing his own struggles: his father coming to town. Will he be able to face his past and fight for who he loves? Find out in Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls.
#8: Dog Man: Fetch-22
Continue to read the Dog Man books in order with the eighth graphic novel, Dog Man: Fetch-22. Petey may have re-evaluated what matters most after his time in jail, but Li’l Petey is still struggling to find the good in the world. With the world counting on them, Dog Man and Petey will have to stop barking and retract their claws to work together again.
#9: Dog Man: Grime and Punishment
In Dog Man: Grime and Punishment, shenanigans are afoot! Forced to hand over his badge and clear out his desk, Dog Man is out of a job. Can he and his friends put their furry heads together to help him paw his way back onto the force? See for yourself in this beloved Dog Man graphic novel.
#10: Dog Man: Mothering Heights
With Dog Man down on his luck, Grampa up to no good, and Petey confronting his less-than-purr-fect past, the last thing this town needs is brand-new bad guys. But when dangerous villains step into the picture in Dog Man: Mothering Heights, everything starts spinning out of control. Can the power of love save the day?
#11: Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea
In Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea, Piggy from the F.L.E.A.S. gang is back in town—and with a vengeance. As his diabolical plot unfolds, Dog Man and the Supa Buddies struggle to understand what other villains are on their way, where they’re coming from, and, most importantly, who can possibly step forward to save the city?
#12: Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder
After being sprayed by a skunk and dunked in tomato juice in Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder, Dog Man has turned scarlet red. But the town shunning him won’t stop Dog Man from roping Petey back into a life of crime to try to take down the latest threat: an army of AI robots!
#13: Dog Man: Big Jim Begins
In Dog Man: Big Jim Begins, readers get a chance to discover the origin stories of some of the most beloved characters from the Dog Man graphic novels. Will understanding the past help predict a bright and cheery future for Dog Man and his friends? Find out as they join forces to stop the Space Cuties from destroying the city.
#14: Dog Man: Big Jim Believes
The Supa Buddies’ celebration is interrupted by the unexpected return of the Space Cuties in Dog Man: Big Jim Believes. Dog Man, Commander Cupcake, Sprinkles, and Mecha Molly have returned to the city to discover that nothing is as it should be. Will they have the courage to trust each other to save the day? Or will the past shape their future for the worse?
#15: Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time
Releasing November 3rd, 2026, the latest Dog Man graphic novel is sure to dazzle fans of the series. In Dog Man: A Sprinkle in Time, our favorite anti-hero, Grampa, messes with the fabric of time and space. But is that exactly what Dog Man and his friends need to grow? Read all the Dog Man books in order before this one comes out later this year, so you can find out!
Whether you’re looking for the perfect books to enjoy alongside your young reader or your children are hankering for the latest and greatest graphic novels for kids, it’s time to give Dog Man a try. Start reading the whole Dog Man series in order and pick up the first at your favorite indie bookstore in town: Novel.