Dav Pilkey is back. Again. Honestly, it feels like the guy never sleeps, but when you're churning out the most successful graphic novels on the planet, maybe sleep is optional. If you’ve got a kid—or if you just appreciate a good Flip-O-Rama—you’ve probably been hunting for the most recent Dog Man book.
Well, it’s here. It’s weird. It involves a lot of "Space Cuties."
Released on November 11, 2025, Dog Man: Big Jim Believes is the 14th installment in this chaotic, heart-filled series. It follows hot on the heels of book 13, Big Jim Begins, which dropped in late 2024. If you're confused about why the series suddenly feels like it's centered on a giant, optimistic cat instead of the titular canine cop, you aren't alone.
Why Dog Man: Big Jim Believes is Taking Over Your Bookshelf
So, what’s actually going on in this one? Basically, the city is a mess. The "Space Cuties from Space"—who are way more dangerous than their name suggests—have returned, and they’ve turned the world upside down.
Everything is different. Nothing is right.
Our main crew includes Dog Man (now rocking his "Scarlet Shedder" persona), Commander Cupcake (Big Jim), and Sprinkles (Grampa). Yeah, Grampa is in a superhero trio now. It’s as ridiculous as it sounds. But the real heart of the story is Big Jim. While everyone else is panicking because the city is unrecognizable, Big Jim is just... believing.
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The Big Jim Factor
Pilkey has always been a master of sneaking "big feelings" into books about dog-headed cops. This time, he’s leaning hard into the idea of perspective. Big Jim is modeled after a very specific kind of innocence—the kind that looks at a disaster and sees an opportunity to be a "helper." It’s actually inspired by that famous Mr. Rogers quote about looking for the helpers in scary times.
It’s surprisingly deep for a book that features a character named "Professor Puddin’ Pop."
What Kids (and Parents) Are Getting Wrong About the Release
There was a ton of chatter online about when this book was actually coming out. For a while, people thought Big Jim Begins was the end of the "Big Jim" arc. Nope. Pilkey turned it into a two-part punch.
- The Pacing: Big Jim Begins (Book 13) gave us the origin story. It explained why Big Jim is the way he is—including some genuinely sad backstory about his parents.
- The Payoff: Big Jim Believes (Book 14) is where that optimism meets the real world.
If you haven't read the 13th book, the 14th is going to feel like jumping into a movie at the halfway point. You've gotta read them in order.
Also, can we talk about the art for a second? Wes Dzioba’s coloring in this latest entry is incredibly vibrant. The "Space Cuties" segments have this neon, psychedelic vibe that feels different from the earlier, grittier (well, as gritty as Dog Man gets) books like Brawl of the Wild.
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Is This the Last Most Recent Dog Man Book?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Definitely not.
There is already an Untitled 15th Dog Man book slated for November 2026. Dav Pilkey is also branching out with a Captain Underpants manga-style reboot coming in April 2026, which is being illustrated by Motojiro. The man is a content machine.
But for now, the "Big Jim" era is the focus. It’s a shift from the Petey-centric redemption arcs we saw in For Whom the Ball Rolls or Mothering Heights. While Petey is still around, the spotlight has moved to the "Supa Buddies" as a collective.
The Specifics You Need to Know
If you're looking to buy this or just want to sound smart at the library, here are the cold, hard facts.
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- Title: Dog Man: Big Jim Believes
- Series Number: 14
- Main Antagonists: The Space Cuties (Captain Cuddles and Doctor Dimples)
- Key Themes: Self-awareness, integrity, and the power of a positive mindset.
- Bonus Content: As always, it’s packed with Flip-O-Ramas and "How to Draw" segments at the back.
The book is roughly 224 pages, which has become the standard for the Graphix imprint. It’s hefty enough to feel like a "real" book to a second grader but light enough to be devoured in twenty minutes under the covers with a flashlight.
A Note on the Dog Man Movie
You can't talk about the most recent Dog Man book without mentioning the movie. The DreamWorks film hit theaters recently, and it’s clearly influenced the "vibe" of the new books. There’s a cinematic quality to the action sequences in Big Jim Believes that feels like it was drawn with a big-screen adaptation in mind.
Where to Go From Here
If you’ve already finished Big Jim Believes, you’re probably itching for more. Since the next main series book isn’t coming until late 2026, your best bet is to dive into the Cat Kid Comic Club spinoffs.
Influencers (the latest Cat Kid) touches on similar themes of creativity and criticism. It’s a good bridge while you wait for the 15th book.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your local library or indie bookstore for Dog Man: Big Jim Believes—it's been selling out fast.
- If you missed Book 13, Big Jim Begins, go back and read it first. The emotional payoff in Book 14 won't hit the same without it.
- Keep an eye out for the Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga release in April 2026 to see Pilkey’s new art style experiment.
The "Dog Man" universe is expanding faster than ever. Whether you're here for the fart jokes or the surprisingly poignant lessons on human (and canine) nature, there's plenty more on the horizon.