Dog Man
Reading Order.
Start Dog Man by Dav Pilkey with "BIG JIM BEGINS", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
This graphic novel series, a spin-off of *Captain Underpants*, is framed as comics created by George Beard and Harold Hutchins about Dog Man, a half-man, half-dog hybrid police officer. Dog Man was created when the head of a police dog, Greg, was surgically attached to the body of an injured officer, Knight, giving him crime-fighting skills combined with canine instincts.
Reader's Guide
This series spans 4 main titles released between 2024 and 2021. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.
Short Answer:
Start with "BIG JIM BEGINS"
To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.
Community Consensus
"The comments are analyzing a comprehensive review post (likely an annual Fantasy Bingo challenge roundup) covering diverse fantasy and sci-fi books. The overall consensus praises the effort and humor of the reviewer. Several authors are frequently mentioned, including Christopher Buehlman and Dan Simmons. While many agree on the high quality of certain books (*Hyperion*), there are notable disagreements regarding the critical assessment of classics such as Gene Wolfe's works or C.J. Cherryh's *Cyteen*, leading to spirited defense of those titles."
Start with Dan Simmons' *Hyperion*, as it is consistently praised as one of the 'best' books read and serves as the necessary introduction to the *Endymion* follow-up books. Christopher Buehlman's books (*Between Two Fires* or *The Blacktounge Thief*) are also strongly recommended as good starting points, particularly for readers new to horror or looking for witty dialogue.
At a Glance
- First Book:BIG JIM BEGINS
- Latest Book:DOG MAN
- Timeline:2024 - 2021
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for Dog Man conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.
Can I skip the short stories?
Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Dog Man. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.
I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?
Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "BIG JIM BEGINS" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.
Why do people disagree on the order?
Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.
Recommended Reading Order Strategy
The authoritative way to read the "Dog Man" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.
Complete Series Reading Order
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View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to skip books in the Dog Man series?
We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.
What is the best order to read Dog Man?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "BIG JIM BEGINS" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Dav Pilkey intended.
Can I read Dog Man books in any order?
No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.
Are there spin-offs or companion books?
Yes, the Dog Man universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.