Dog Man Books in Order

Below is the complete list of Dog Man books in order of publication. This is the recommended reading sequence for the series by Dav Pilkey.

Dog Man Series

1. Dog Man (2016)
   Buy on Amazon
2. Dog Man Unleashed (2017)
   Buy on Amazon
3. Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties (2017)
   Buy on Amazon
4. Dog Man and Cat Kid (2018)
   Buy on Amazon
5. Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas (2018)
   Buy on Amazon
6. Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild (2019)
   Buy on Amazon
7. Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls (2019)
   Buy on Amazon
8. Dog Man: Fetch-22 (2019)
   Buy on Amazon
9. Dog Man: Grime and Punishment (2020)
   Buy on Amazon
10. Dog Man: Mothering Heights (2021)
    Buy on Amazon
11. Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea (2023)
    Buy on Amazon
12. Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder (2024)
    Buy on Amazon
13. Dog Man: Big Jim Begins (2024)
    Buy on Amazon
14. Dog Man: Big Jim Believes (Nov 2025)
    Buy on Amazon

About Dog Man Series

The Dog Man series is a popular graphic novel franchise created by Dav Pilkey, the author best known for the Captain Underpants books. First published in 2016, the series quickly became a favorite among younger readers thanks to its energetic storytelling, comic-book format, and playful sense of humor. Combining action, slapstick comedy, and heartfelt themes, the books follow the adventures of a unique hero who is part dog and part police officer.

The premise of the series is intentionally absurd in a way that appeals strongly to children’s imagination. Dog Man is created when a police officer and his dog are injured in an explosion. Doctors save them by surgically attaching the dog’s head to the officer’s body, creating a new crime-fighting hero with canine instincts and human responsibilities. This unusual origin sets the tone for the series, where exaggerated humor and visual storytelling drive the narrative.

Reading the Dog Man books in publication order works best because the storylines gradually expand and recurring characters develop over time. While each installment contains self-contained adventures, the relationships between characters—particularly Dog Man, his feline rival Petey, and Petey’s son Li’l Petey—evolve across multiple books.

The series begins with Dog Man (2016), which introduces the main characters and establishes the central conflict between Dog Man and Petey the Cat, a mischievous villain constantly inventing schemes to cause chaos. Subsequent titles such as Dog Man Unleashed, Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties, and Dog Man and Cat Kid expand the story world while deepening the humor and emotional themes.

One of the most notable developments in later books is the transformation of Petey from a simple antagonist into a more complex character. As the series progresses, his relationship with Li’l Petey becomes central to the story, exploring ideas about redemption, empathy, and personal change. Reading the books in publication order allows readers to follow this shift naturally as the characters grow and their motivations become clearer.

A defining feature of the Dog Man series is its graphic novel format. Pilkey uses expressive illustrations, dynamic panel layouts, and playful typography to create an engaging reading experience. The books also include interactive elements such as “flip-o-rama” pages, where readers rapidly flip between pages to animate the action. These features encourage participation and help young readers stay engaged with the story.

The series incorporates several recurring themes beneath its comedic surface:

• The importance of kindness and empathy
• The possibility of redemption for flawed characters
• The value of friendship and teamwork
• Learning from mistakes and growing as a person

Pilkey often balances the fast-paced humor with surprisingly thoughtful moments, particularly in storylines involving Li’l Petey. These sections introduce emotional depth while still maintaining the lighthearted tone that defines the series.

Another notable aspect of the Dog Man books is their connection to Pilkey’s earlier Captain Underpants universe. In the fictional framing of the series, the stories are created by George and Harold—the same characters who write the Captain Underpants comics—giving the books an intentionally childlike artistic style and playful storytelling approach.

Since its debut, the series has become a major success in children’s publishing, with multiple volumes topping bestseller lists. The combination of visual storytelling, humor, and positive messages has helped introduce many young readers to longer books and graphic novels.

Across the series, the adventures of Dog Man gradually build a lively world filled with quirky characters, comic action, and evolving relationships. Reading the books in publication order preserves the ongoing character development and the expanding storylines that make Dav Pilkey’s graphic novel series both entertaining and memorable for young audiences.