“Part dog. Part man. All hero.”
In case you haven’t heard, Dog Man is an extraordinarily popular graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey (also the creator of Captain Underpants, where the Dog Man character first appeared). With over a dozen installments and counting, this bestselling spinoff saga has inspired the production of a video game, an Off-Broadway musical, and now a feature film, set to open January 31.
Do you have Dog Man fans at home hounding you to take them to the movie (even though you’d sooner vacuum the curtains or alphabetize the pantry)? For those who aren’t already steeped in the lore of this peculiar phenomenon, you might do well to bone up on the basics so you know what you’re stepping into.
Here’s a quick breakdown of our hero’s origin story:
- A police officer and his canine partner have an unfortunate run-in with an explosive device.
- The dog’s head is surgically attached to the human’s body (in almost certain violation of the Hippocratic Oath).
- A new breed of law enforcement officer, known as Dog Man, is born.
While this sounds eerily similar to the premise of RoboCop (and the first book does indeed feature a Robo Chief), rest assured that, instead of startling violence and incisive social commentary, you’ll be treated to an uplifting and family-friendly tale of a dogged do-gooder hungry for justice—and maybe some table scraps. Fun, right?
Jokes aside (for now), these madcap stories undeniably spark joy in young readers, and the goofiness is balanced out with thoughtful depictions of primal instinct versus technological threat, individuals’ capacity for both good and evil, and the value of loyalty and teamwork.
But there are more quirky characters to discover in this offbeat universe than just Dog Man—let’s meet some!
Supporting Characters
Of the many personalities roaming the streets of Ohkay City—or so it’s called in the upcoming movie—here are some you’re bound to encounter should you and your kids attend a screening:
Chief – Top brass on the force. He’s given a lot of responsibility and none of the glamor. He’s essentially kind-hearted but can become short-tempered while keeping Dog Man’s focus from straying toward squirrels and such.
Petey – The so-called “most evilest cat in the world.” He has technological know-how, a flattened tail, and a difficult past, which includes being framed for a mishap that got him booted from the Critter Scouts.
Li’l Petey – Petey’s clone/son (in other words, a much younger clone). Though Petey wants him to follow in his evil footsteps, Li’l Petey would rather do good, teaming up with Dog Man and taking on the persona of “Cat Kid.”
Grampa, a.k.a. Crud – Petey’s father. According to a description in Dog Man: Mothering Heights, “He’s a selfish, egotistical meanie who currently resides in cat jail. Petey and Li’l Petey no longer associate with him.”
80-Hexotron Droidformigon, a.k.a. 80-HD – A sandal-wearing robot originally built by Petey. He later joins a crime-fighting trio alongside Dog Man and Li’l Petey. Although equipped with many gadgets, his greatest strength is creativity.
Sarah Hatoff – Known as the “world’s best reporter,” she provides a more objective point of view, but she also knows karate and actively participates in central events from time to time.
Flippy the Fish – Originally given to the Chief as a gift. After coming into contact with “Supa Brain Dots” that grant him telekinetic powers, this one-time bullying victim “wakes up” and chooses violence, using his newfound smarts to wreak havoc.
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Style & Substance
While Dog Man the movie will feature polished animations and voice acting, the original books’ illustrations and dialogue are presented to readers as homemade comics crafted by young collaborators George and Harold. This metafictional frame captures the free-wheeling nature of the creative process, and the occasional crossed-out word only adds to the propulsive feeling of in-the-moment inspiration. It’s also just a lot of fun!
Graphic novels typically serve as a bridge between picture books and text-heavy chapter books. Dog Man is uniquely accessible, as its deliberately childlike artwork draws readers in to experience something “by” kids, for kids.
You the parent, meanwhile, can appreciate the titles’ not-so-sly nods to classic novels (e.g., Fetch-22, Grime & Punishment, The Scarlet Shedder). While kids likely won’t know how these references resonate, you’ll be able to glean a given book’s thematic focus—like conundrums, consequences, or a community’s collective cold shoulder—with one look at the cover.
Dig Deeper Into Dog Man at the Literati Store
If your kids are clamoring for even more Dog Man content, or if this article has inspired you to gobble up the whole series yourself, you can shop the Dog Man Collection at the Literati Store, where you’ll find giftable boxed sets, card games and puzzles, and even Spanish-language editions.
And the best part? 10% of every purchase goes back to your child’s school. So take a page out of Dog Man’s book: do a good deed that keeps students reading.
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