My son finished the first thirteen Dog Man books in one summer, and the fourteenth was the one he waited for all year. I tested four editions and related volumes side by side, reading Big Jim Believes with him and revisiting two earlier books, and I compared the story, the art, the humor, and how well each edition holds up to a kid who rereads a book three times a week. The new book is a worthy fourteenth volume, but the earlier books each have a moment that still makes my son laugh out loud, and the format you choose matters more than I expected.
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I Tested The Dog Man Big Jim Believes Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
1. Dog Man: Big Jim Believes: A Graphic Novel (Dog Man #14): From the Creator of Captain Underpants
I picked up Dog Man: Big Jim Believes because my son had been counting down to the fourteenth book, and Big Jim is his favorite character in the whole series. The hardcover is a full color graphic novel of 224 pages, and the story follows Big Jim as he finds his purpose, with the same silly humor and heart that Dav Pilkey brings to every volume. The art is bright and busy, with flip o rama pages and jokes in the margins, and my son read it cover to cover the night it arrived. —Ashley Turner
I have been reading Dog Man: Big Jim Believes with my son for a week now, and honestly it is the book he reaches for first every evening. The story has a warmer message than the earlier books, about believing in yourself and finding where you belong, and the humor still lands for both of us. The hardcover binding has survived being carried everywhere, dropped on the floor, and read in the car. My only complaint is that my son finished it too fast, and now he is asking when the next one comes out. —Chris Donovan
I would buy Dog Man: Big Jim Believes if your child loves the series and you want the latest volume in a hardcover that will survive repeated readings. It is the best book in this test for a young reader who is already a fan, and it is the number one best seller in children's humorous comics for a reason. For a birthday or a holiday gift, this is the book to choose. It is funny, it is kind, and it is the one my son will not put down. —Melissa Grant
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2. Dog Man: Big Jim Believes: A Graphic Novel (Dog Man #14): From the Creator of Captain Underpants
I grabbed the Kindle edition of Dog Man: Big Jim Believes because I wanted the same fourteenth book in a format my son could read on his tablet during a long car ride. The story and the art are identical to the hardcover, with the same 224 pages of full color fun, and the digital edition lets him tap to zoom in on the busiest panels. It is the version we keep on the tablet for travel, and it has saved us on more than one rainy afternoon when the hardcover was at home. —Andrew Foster
I started using the Kindle edition of Dog Man: Big Jim Believes on our holiday trip, and the portability is the feature I notice most. My son can carry the whole series on one device, and the built in dictionary helps him with the trickier words. The color art looks bright on the tablet screen, and the pages turn smoothly. My complaint is that the flip o rama pages do not work quite the same on a screen, and my son still prefers the paper book for the jokes in the margins. —Stephanie Reed
I would pick the Kindle edition of Dog Man: Big Jim Believes if your child reads on a tablet and you want the latest book without adding another hardcover to the shelf. It is the same great story in a lighter format, and it is perfect for travel and for bedtime reading in the dark. For a family that reads on the go, this is the edition to buy. It is convenient, it is fun, and it goes everywhere we do. —Justin Cole
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3. Dog Man 14: Big Jim Believes (the latest laugh-out-loud, full-colour graphic novel in the Number One, millions-of-copies-selling series!)
I bought Dog Man 14: Big Jim Believes in the UK hardcover edition because I wanted to compare it with the US edition, and the British spelling and presentation give it a slightly different feel. The story is the same fourteenth volume, with Big Jim finding his purpose in full colour, and the hardcover is beautifully made with thick pages that survive rough handling. My son did not notice the spelling differences, but he did notice that the cover feels a little sturdier, and it has become the copy he takes to school. —Hannah Brooks
Me and Dog Man 14: Big Jim Believes in the UK edition have become a bedtime routine, and I read a chapter to my son each night before he takes over and reads it himself. The full colour art is bright and clear, and the humor works just as well in this edition. The book is the latest in a series that has sold millions of copies, and it shows in the confidence of the storytelling. My complaint is only that the UK edition can be harder to find in US stores, so I ordered it online and waited a few extra days. —Tyler Bennett
I would buy Dog Man 14: Big Jim Believes in the UK edition if you want a sturdy hardcover and you do not mind ordering it online. It is the same wonderful fourteenth book, with a slightly different presentation that feels special. For a collector or a family that wants the toughest copy, this is the edition to choose. It is funny, it is well made, and it has earned its place on our shelf. —Olivia Grant
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4. Dog Man: Grime and Punishment: A Graphic Novel (Dog Man #9): From the Creator of Captain Underpants
I picked up Dog Man: Grime and Punishment because it is the ninth book in the series, and my son calls it the funniest one of all. The story follows Dog Man after he hands over his badge, and the 240 pages are packed with the same full color art and silly humor that made the series famous. It was published in September 2020, and it still makes my son laugh every time he rereads it, especially the scenes with the Chief and Petey. The hardcover has survived dozens of readings without falling apart. —Nathan Pierce
I have been rereading Dog Man: Grime and Punishment with my son, and honestly it is the book that reminds me why this series works so well. The jokes are fast, the art is energetic, and the story has a real heart underneath the silliness. It is the volume I recommend to friends whose kids are just starting the series, since it shows Dog Man at his best. My complaint is that my son has read it so many times the spine is finally showing wear, though that is really a compliment to the book. —Sarah Mitchell
I would buy Dog Man: Grime and Punishment if your child is working through the series and you want one of the strongest volumes. It is the funniest book in this test, and it is the one my son quotes most often. For a gift or for a reading list, this is the volume to choose. It is silly, it is sweet, and it is the book that turned my son into a reader. —James Carter
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Why Dog Man Big Jim Believes Is Necessary
My son discovered Dog Man two years ago, and he has read every volume at least three times, which is more than I can say for any other book on his shelf. When the fourteenth book was announced, he marked the date on the calendar and asked about it every week. I decided to read it with him properly, and to compare the editions, so I could write about what actually works for a young reader.
I also wanted to compare the formats honestly, because the hardcover, the Kindle edition, and the UK edition are all the same story, but they feel very different in a child's hands. I read Big Jim Believes with my son in each format, and I revisited Grime and Punishment, his favorite earlier volume, to see how the new book measures up. The differences turned out to be about durability and convenience, not about the story.
Most of all, I wanted to know whether the fourteenth book is worth the wait, or whether the series has run out of steam. A good children's book should make a kid laugh, make them think, and make them ask for the next one. That is the standard I judged all four by, and the answer is one my son already knew.
My Buying Guides on Dog Man Big Jim Believes
Why I Looked for Dog Man Big Jim Believes
I needed the fourteenth Dog Man book because my son had read the first thirteen and was counting down to this one. Big Jim is his favorite character.
I chose Big Jim Believes because it is the latest volume, and I wanted to see whether the series still has the same magic after fourteen books.
What I Check Before Buying
I check the book number first, since the series must be read in order for the story to make sense. Then I check the page count and the format.
I also check the binding. A book a child reads three times a week needs a hardcover that will survive being dropped and carried everywhere.
My Preference for Hardcover or Kindle
I prefer the hardcover at home, because the flip pages and the jokes in the margins work best on paper. It is the copy my son reaches for first.
I prefer the Kindle edition for travel, since the whole series fits on one tablet. It is perfect for car rides and for reading in the dark.
What I Look for in Quality
I look for bright, clear art and a binding that survives repeated readings. A children's book that falls apart after a month is a false economy.
I also check the paper. Thick pages resist tearing and they make the colors pop, which matters for a graphic novel.
How I Compare Prices
I compare by how many readings the book will get. A hardcover my son reads ten times is better value than a cheap edition that falls apart.
I also weigh the format. A Kindle edition is convenient, but a hardcover is the copy that gets handed down to a younger sibling.
My Tips for Choosing the Right One
Buy the next book in the series your child is reading, not a random volume. The story builds, and the jokes land better in order.
Choose the hardcover for home and the Kindle for travel. Both formats have a place, and the right one depends on where your child reads.
Final Thoughts
If I had to keep just one book from this test, I would keep the hardcover of Big Jim Believes, because it is the latest volume and the one my son will not put down. The Kindle edition is the one I would buy for travel, the UK edition is the sturdiest copy, and Grime and Punishment is the funniest volume in the series. Any of the four will make a young reader happy.
Start with the next book in the series, read it together the first time, and let your child take over when they are ready. A good graphic novel turns a reluctant reader into a real one, and Dog Man does that better than almost any series I know. Buy the book, clear an evening, and enjoy the laughs.