What do a novel based on the ideals of the French Revolution, a narrative that develops around two families living in the Salinas Valley, California, and a dystopia of lost children on a desert island have in common? The three plots of the classics serve as the background for stories about the Dog Man, a character created by the American author-illustrator Dav Pilkey, whose release of the fourth volume of the policeman series with the body of a man and the head of a dog, The Dog Man and the supergatinho, has just arrived at bookstores in the country.
The hero who barks in the face of danger was created from the adventures of the Captain Cueca series by the duo Jorge and Haroldo. And it was in the fifth school year, more specifically in the third volume of the series, that the canine police strip began to present elements of classic stories. It happened when the two mischievous boys, Jorge and Haroldo, were already “more mature and smarter”, as they themselves make a point of punctuating in the preface “Dog-Man on the Stage”. Thanks to Mrs. Chievess, the literature teacher, or thanks to her, the pair of friends got to know some classics and decided to use this repertoire as inspiration to recount the endeavors of this security agent who graces newspaper covers for his heroic attitude and also distracts himself by biting his foot of the wooden chair. Some old habits really never change.
The inspiration was clear in the title, O Homem-Cão: A Tale of Two Kittens. The book refers to A Tale of Two Cities, written in 1859 by Charles Dickens. André Czarnobai, translator of the book for Companhia das Letrinhas, explains a little about this adaptation process: “A tale of two cities became ‘kitties’ because the sound of the two words is very similar in English; in Portuguese, ‘cidades’ and ‘kittens’ are completely unrelated. So this puzzle was quite complex. A lot was lost in many moments, but a great effort was made to, whenever possible, reinforce the connections between the two works”.
Dog Man and Cat Kid is the fourth installment in the popular Dog Man graphic novel series written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey. This book follows the adventures of Dog Man, a crime-fighting canine who is half dog and half policeman, as he teams up with a new sidekick, a young cat named Li’l Petey, to take on the city’s biggest baddies.
The story begins with the arrival of Li’l Petey, who is taken in by Officer Knight and becomes Dog Man’s new partner. But their partnership is tested when Petey’s evil father, Petey the Cat, returns to town and threatens to take over the city. With the help of their friends, Dog Man and Cat Kid must team up to stop Petey the Cat and save the day.
One of the strengths of this graphic novel is its humor. The book is filled with silly puns, slapstick humor, and wordplay that is sure to make readers of all ages laugh out loud. Dav Pilkey’s signature cartoonish illustrations are also a standout feature of the book. The colorful and dynamic artwork brings the characters and action to life and makes for an engaging reading experience.
Another aspect of the book that stands out is its message of friendship and teamwork. Despite their differences, Dog Man and Cat Kid learn to work together and overcome their challenges through cooperation and mutual respect. This positive message is an important one for young readers and serves as a reminder of the value of friendship and teamwork.
In addition to the main story, the book also includes several mini-comics, including a superhero spoof called Super Diaper Baby, as well as a guide to drawing some of the characters from the Dog Man universe. These extra features add to the overall fun and entertainment value of the book.
One potential downside of the book is that it may not be as appealing to readers who are not already fans of the series. While the humor and illustrations are enjoyable, the book may not have the same impact on those who are not already invested in the characters and their story.
However, for fans of the series, Dog Man and Cat Kid is a must-read. The book continues to deliver the same wacky humor and action-packed adventure that fans have come to expect from the series, while also introducing new characters and plot twists to keep things fresh.
Overall, Dog Man and Cat Kid is an entertaining and engaging graphic novel that is sure to delight fans of the series. With its humor, positive message, and dynamic illustrations, this book is a great addition to any young reader’s bookshelf.
