Losing the badge is the problem at the centre of the ninth Dog Man book, and getting it back is not a matter of simply trying harder. Friends turn out to matter far more than heroics.
Dav Pilkey takes a serious setback and plays it for comedy without letting the stakes disappear entirely, which is part of why the series holds attention past the first few volumes. Colour panels, sound effects and fast dialogue keep the pages turning, and the recurring cast gives returning readers plenty to enjoy. Empathy, perseverance and admitting mistakes come through in the story itself rather than in any kind of lecture.
Things this volume offers:
• A setback storyline where Dog Man loses his standing and has to earn it back
• Support from the wider cast when solo effort is not enough
• Comic-book pages with sound effects, panels and visual gags
• Numbered as the ninth book for readers following the run
For young graphic novel readers around eight to twelve and for families collecting the series. Available in English at Boipoka.