Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas

“‘Well I read it, and it inspired me to write a new Dog Man novel. It’s a story of savagery…a tale of consequences…a profound look into the constructs of morality…’ ‘and one ring to rule them all!’”

Intertextuality is utilized to comedic effect; George refers to themes and concepts present in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies; Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas presents these same themes but in a satirical, absurdist version. Further intertextuality is presented in Harold’s confusion between Lord of the Flies and J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, illustrated in his declaration, “and one ring to rule them all!”—a quote from Tolkien’s novel. This mix-up creates further humor.

“‘I’m sorry, but your body is dying.’ ‘And your head is dying, too, cop!!!’”

Authenticity of the frame narrative, which suggests that the graphic novel is a creation of George and Harold, is created through childlike language, such as “your head is dying.” This is not a phrase one would expect to hear in the hospital room of a critically ill patient; it sets the tone as light-hearted and silly. The frame narrative is further established through the accompanying illustration of a simplistic dog cartoon with its body wrapped in bandages and a sad expression; the childish drawing looks authentic to its alleged creators, George and Harold.