Dog Man

In his “About the Author” blurb, Pilkey writes that he has ADHD and dyslexia; he also shares that he had behavioral issues as a child. What is his purpose in volunteering this information? How does knowing this impact the way one might read Dog Man?

Examine the way Pilkey uses setup and payoff in constructing these stories. How does this process interact with the absurdist humor in Dog Man? How does it impact the way these stories are told and the way the characters are portrayed?

How does the motif of house pets function throughout Dog Man?

Creative Assignment: Create your own superhero parody. Make sure to consider the tropes associated with the genre when creating your comic.

Do you believe Dog Man imparts a moral lesson? Why or why not? If yes, what lesson(s) is (are) taught?

Creative Assignment: Create a fictional character. Then, create a comic or short story in character as your creation. As you make this comic/story, remember to consider your fictional author’s likes, dislikes, personal background, and personality traits.

How do the concepts of good and evil function in Dog Man? What does it mean to be evil in this universe? How does this impact the narrative structure, the tone, and the messages of these stories?

How does Pilkey portray authority figures in Dog Man? How do George and Harold interact with those in power? Is this dynamic evident in the way they depict characters who have authority over others?