Hulk and other heroes as the most popular character in comics today. From school playgrounds, to online forums, the "best superhero" debate has long raged among fans of all ages, but now, Dog Man has risen above the others as the biggest comic book hero in years, and he's not from either Marvel or DC.

Author Dav Pilkey's Dog Man has completely redefined the comic landscape with record-breaking numbers for almost every entry released. Sources such as a worldwide phenomenon that rivals even Superman. In fact, the most recent entry, Dog-Man: Big Jim Begins, has made a splash with fans around the world as one of the most popular additions to date.

With 12 books in the series, now a movie, the comic book hero undeniably has made his way into the hearts of readers everywhere.

Ahead Of The Character's Arrival On The Big Screen, It's Worth A Closer Look At The Wild Success Of "Dog Man"

Dav Pilkey's Talent For Children's Literature Holds The Key

There's no denying that the Dog Man franchise has become a major pop culture icon remarkably quickly. However, this begs the question of how the character got to where he is now. After all, the concept of this series is a fairly simple one. It's a silly comedy about a dog whose head is placed on the body of his former partner, so they can continue fighting crime. It would be understandable if people were confused by its rising success when it debuted. However, the true story of Dog Man's success doesn't lie with Dog Man himself, but rather the mind behind the character.

Dav Pilkey's history as a children's writer has made him incredibly talented at understanding what kids like when they read. By doubling down on action and laughs, he found a winning combination with this series because of how much it speaks to the child's level, rather than speaking down at them. The drawings are simple enough to be recognizable to kids because they may look similar to their own drawings. Plus, with an inclusive assortment of characters, it's a series that also breaks the gender barrier and appeals to everybody.

Dog Man Builds On Everything Author Dav Pilkey Learned With His Prior Viral Hit, Captain Underpants

The Iconic Children's Superhero's Legacy Continues With Dog Man

A vital part of Dog Man's success is that its fans aren't restricted to a certain age. While kids are absolutely the biggest consumers of these comics, there's a growing adult fanbase out there as well. This is because Dog Man creator Dav Pilkey also created the Captain Underpants franchise, which was just as popular with kids in the 2000s. Notably, the in-universe writers for Dog Man are the main characters of Captain Underpants, Harold and George. There's no doubt that adults that grew up on Pilkey's previous work have helped to boost the popularity of this modern franchise.

Dav Pilkey gets what kids find funny, and he shows it through his craft.

However, without Pilkey's talented writing, this series wouldn't be nearly as successful as it is now. Dav Pilkey gets what kids find funny, and he shows it through his craft. Plus, by giving kids exactly what they want in his art style and sense of humor, this has been the major key to Dog Man getting where it is today. Superman and the Hulk will always be time-honored heroes after their decades-long run. However, Dog Man is the new king of comics, with a series that has made him the most popular hero out there.

Sources: PopVerse, Bleeding Cool, Comics Beat