Everything You Need to Know About the New Dog Man Book

Dog Man fans across the country can’t wait to get their paws on the new book from best-selling author and illustrator Dav Pilkey! Dog Man #12: The Scarlet Shedder follows the latest heroic, hilarious, and heartfelt adventures of everyone’s favorite canine superhero and readers can finally go fetch a copy now.  

In the follow up to Dog Man #11: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea, Dog Man is back — and this time he’s been sprayed by a skunk. P.U.! A dunk in tomato juice gets rid of the stink, but the scarlet red color remains. Finding himself forced into exile, Dog Man must struggle to save the city and the very citizens who shunned him! And will the ends justify the means for Petey, who’s reluctantly pulled back into a life of crime in order to help Dog Man? And who will step forward when an all-new, never-before-seen villain unleashes an army of A.I. robots? 

To celebrate the release of the new book, we’re launching a “Power Up with Reading” initiative to grant Dog Man–themed Little Free Library book-sharing boxes across all 50 United States. Dav Pilkey has donated 50,000 books to support these libraries and to help ignite a passion for reading in children. 

Learn more about our partnership with Little Free Library here. 

Check out the trailer for the highly anticipated new Dog Man adventure below. And, speaking of trailers, Universal and DreamWorks animation just announced a Dog Man movie is coming on January 31, 2025! 

About the Dog Man Series 

The Dog Man graphic novel series follows the hilarious adventures of everyone’s favorite characters — the “Supa Buddies:” Dog Man, a lovable canine superhero who’s part dog and part policeman, and his friends Li’l Petey, a curious and optimistic kitten, and 80-HD, a robot who expresses himself best through his art. 

With each Dog Man book, readers see the growth and development of the main narrators George and Harold through their comics. Their artwork, grammar, and spelling improve as the series progresses. The books also explore universal themes and positive messages including empathy, friendship, and compassion — and highlight the importance of striving to become a better version of one’s self, as well as doing good. Full of hilarious antics and humor, the books will keep kids (and families) laughing.

From School Struggles to Best-Selling Author

When award-winning author Dav Pilkey was a kid, he was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. He was so disruptive in class that his teachers made him sit out in the hallway every day. Luckily, Pilkey loved to draw and make up stories, so he spent his time in the hallway creating his own original comic books — the very first adventures of Dog Man and Captain Underpants.

Dav Pilkey credits his parents as playing a key role in his success. “Dog Man started out as a character I created when I was in second grade, but the series has evolved into a love letter to my parents,” Pilkey said. “Looking back as a kid growing up with dyslexia and ADHD, my parents, who were my best advocates, let me choose whatever books I wanted to read — with no judgment. Their support and love was life-changing and helped me to become the reader, author, and illustrator that I am today.” 

Since those days dreaming up fun stories in the school hallway, Pilkey has gone on to become an award-winning author and illustrator of kids books, including the New York Times best-selling series’ Dog Man, Captain Underpants, and Cat Kid Comic Club. The universal appeal of Pilkey's books — which celebrate the triumph of the good-hearted — resonate with kids all over the world. His books have been translated into many languages and sold millions of copies across the globe.  

If your child loves the Dog Man series as much as they do coming up with their own ideas for comics, then check out Dav Pilkey's Epic Comic Club. It's the perfect place for budding creators to let their imaginations run wild through fun activities, story starters, and lots more! 

You can find all Dav Pilkey’s books here — and don’t forget to order your copy of Dog Man #12: The Scarlet Shedder. 

Plus, find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store.