Head-to-head
The Adventures of Captain Underpants vs The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh!
Both are ridiculous humor series for ages 6-9 with visual comedy, but Captain Underpants is chapter-based while Bad Guys is a full graphic novel.
The Adventures of Captain Underpants
by Dav Pilkey
The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh!
by Aaron Blabey
Score comparison
| Score | The Adventures of Captain Underpants | The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kid Score | 75 | 76 | Tied |
| Parent Score | 44 | 55 | The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! (+11) |
| Teacher Score | 46 | 50 | The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! (+4) |
✓ The Adventures of Captain Underpants — perfect for
- •The child who says 'I hate reading' and has never willingly finished a book. Also ideal for the 7-8 year old who loves comics
- •pranks
- •and making people laugh — this is the book that defines their entire reading personality for years.
✓ The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! — perfect for
- •Kids 8-10 already hooked on The Bad Guys series
- •Fans of the 2022 DreamWorks movie who want more chaos
- •Reluctant readers who need visual humor to stay engaged
- •Kids who love Dog Man, Captain Underpants, and Wimpy Kid
- •Readers who enjoy absurdist cartoon multiverses
Our take
There's no universal winner here — the right pick depends on who's reading. The Bad Guys in Open Wide and Say Arrrgh! scores higher with kids (76 vs 75) — better if your goal is "my kid actually wants to read it."
Still not sure? Take the 2-minute SPARK quiz — we'll pick the one that fits your specific kid's reading personality.
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