The Bad Guys is a children’s graphic book series created, illustrated, and written by Aaron Blabey.
The series revolves around the misadventures of a gang of anthropomorphic animals who attempt to perform good deeds in an effort to shift society’s perception of them as criminals.
DreamWorks Animation turned the series into an animated movie, which debuted in 2022 to a favorable critical and commercial reception.
Aaron Blabey’s Biography
Aaron Blabey is an Australian children’s book author. He is the creator of three best-selling children’s series: Pig the Pug, The Bad Guys, and Thelma the Unicorn. Before finding success as an author, Blabey worked as an actor and has appeared in various television shows, movies, and theatrical productions.
Since 2003, he has diverted his attention away from acting and started focusing on his painting as a career. He then diverted his focus completely towards writing and illustrating children’s picture books. His first book, Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley, even received a Children’s Book Council of Australia Award.
His subsequent works have also received both commercial and critical success. In 2022, the first Bad Guys book was adapted into an animated movie by DreamWorks Animation, starring Marc Maron, Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, and Anthony Ramos.
It was the second-highest-grossing animated movie of 2022. A lifelong Australian native, Blabey supports the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, which works to protect children from violence.
The Bad Guys Book Characters
The premise of the Bad Guys book series revolves around the antics of five criminals who wish to become better citizens but encounter several misadventures along the way. The five heroes are:
1) Mr. Moe Wolf: Mr. Moe Wolf is the leader of the Good Guys Club. After becoming tired of being seen as a villain, he recruits his friends in order to clear their reputations and become do-gooders.
2) Mr. Snake: Mr. Snake is a shady and self-centered member of the Good Guys Club who, try as he might, gets away from doing misdeeds.
3) Mr. Pepe Piranha: Mr. Pepe Piranha is a red-bellied piranha that is the muscle of the group. He has a short fuse and goes completely insane when mistaken for a sardine.
4) Mr. Lou Shark: Mr. Lou Shark is a master of disguise. He is calm and collected despite his intimidating appearance due to his large size.
5) Mr. Tarantula: Mr. Tarantula is the legs of the group and prefers not to wear any clothes.
Also read: James Patterson’s Children’s Book Series
The Bad Guys Book Series in Order
The book series is divided into two seasons, each with ten books. Currently, the series is in its second season, with the seventeenth book released in July 2023.
Season 1
1) The Bad Guys (The Bad Guys Book 1)
The Bad Guys: Episode One introduces the Good Guys Club, a gang of ex-villains led by Mr. Wolf on a mission to become actual good guys. However, their plan to become good guys doesn’t go their way.
2) The Bad Guys in Mission Unpluckable (The Bad Guys Book 2)
In Episode Two, the Good Guys Club hatches a plan to rescue tens of thousands of chickens from a chicken farm. However, the entry of a new team member, Mr. Snake, leaves the existing team members shaken.
3) The Bad Guys in The Furball Strikes Back (The Bad Guys Book 3)
In Episode Three: The Furball Strikes Back, the Good Guys Club get into a fight with an evil mad scientist guinea pig out for vengeance.
4) The Bad Guys in Attack of the Zittens (The Bad Guys Book 4)
The Good Guys are back again to save the world from evil Dr. Marmalade’s zombie kitten brigade. But this time they have help from foxy Agent Fox and a swampy secret zombie antidote.
5) The Bad Guys in Intergalactic Gas (The Bad Guys Book 5)
The fifth episode in the series follows the adventures of the Good Guys as they try to save the world from ending by launching into space with nasty spacesuits.
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6) The Bad Guys in Alien Vs. Bad Guys (The Bad Guys Book 6)
In the sixth episode, the bad guys have to solve the mystery of the vanishing team members.
7) The Bad Guys in Do-You-Think-He-Saurus? (The Bad Guys Book 7)
After saving the world from ending in the last episode, the bad guys escaped using alien space pods that were capable of time travel and now find themselves in the company of dinosaurs.
8) The Bad Guys in Superbad (The Bad Guys Book 8)
In the eighth episode, the bad guys strangely accumulate superpowers. However, there is a twist. Their superpowers are defective and won’t work properly in public.
9) The Bad Guys in The Big Bad Wolf (The Bad Guys Book 9)
The ninth book in the series follows the bad guys after Mr. Wolf becomes a giant monster. Plus, there is an alien invasion.
10) The Bad Guys in The Baddest Day Ever (The Bad Guys Book 10)
In this episode, the Bad Guys and the Badder Girls rebel against Crown Prince Marmalade.
Also read: Louise Penny’s The Inspector Gamache Books in Order
Season 2
1) The Bad Guys in Dawn of the Underworld (The Bad Guys Book 11)
The Bad Guys: Episode 11 follows the Shadow Squad-G, previously known as the Bad Guys, after they have finally saved the world from evil Doctor Marmalade. As the celebration ensues, one of the team members makes a shocking discovery that ends the party before it even starts.
2) The Bad Guys in The One?! (The Bad Guys Book 12)
The Shadow Squad-G must tackle the evil allies that materialized after the inter-dimensional doors opened whilst simultaneously dealing with the strange things happening to Mr. Snake.
3) The Bad Guys in Cut to the Chase (The Bad Guys Book 13)
In Episode 13, the squad enters a completely new yet nasty world.
4) The Bad Guys in They’re Bee-Hind You! (The Bad Guys Book 14)
The Shadow Squad-G finds themselves in more trouble as the multiverse keeps getting worse.
5) The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! (The Bad Guys Book 15)
In this totally normal episode, nothing weird happens to the Bad Guys.
6) The Bad Guys in The Others?! (The Bad Guys Book 16)
In this Bad Guys adventure, there is an oversharing bat and a strangely confident little guy with a mullet.
7) The Bad Guys in Let The Games Begin (The Bad Guys Book 17)
The Bad Guys will meet you in a bookstore near you in July 2023.
8) The Bad Guys in Look Who’s Talking (The Bad Guys Book 18)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age level is the book the Bad Guys for?
The Bad Guys books are appropriate for children of the age 6-8 years old.
Also answers:
1) Is bad boys suitable for 12 year olds?
What is the reading level for The Bad Guys?
The grade level for The Bad guys is 2-5 grades.
Why is The Bad Guys rated R?
The Bad Guys movie is rated PG for action and rude humor which means some material may not be suitable for all children.
What is the theme of the Bad Guys book?
The Bad Guys book series explores the theme of redemption, teamwork, friendship, and breaking stereotypes as a group of animal traditionally thought of as bad guys work to become heroes by helping others.
Also answers:
1) What is the plot of The Bad Guys?
What is bad guys book 17 called?
The name of the Bad Guys book 17 is The Bad Guys in Let The Games Begin
What is The Bad Guys 11 called?
The Bad Guys 11 book is The Bad Guys in Dawn of the Underworld.
