What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bad Guys #20
The Bad Guys in One Last Thing
Now a major motion picture!
"I wish I'd had these books as a kid. Hilarious!" -- Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants and Dog Man
They may look like Bad Guys, but these wannabe heroes are doing good deeds... whether you like it or not in this New York Times bestselling illustrated series.
The LAST installment in the hilarious Bad Guys series!
"I wish I'd had these books as a kid. Hilarious!" -- Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants and Dog Man
They may look like Bad Guys, but these wannabe heroes are doing good deeds... whether you like it or not in this New York Times bestselling illustrated series.
The LAST installment in the hilarious Bad Guys series!
192 pages, Paperback
Published November 12, 2024
161 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Blabey
198 books847 followersAaron is an Australian author of children's books and artist who until the mid-2000s was also an actor. His award winning picture books include Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley, The Ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon and the best-selling Pig the Pug.
In the field of acting, he is probably best known for his lead roles in two television dramedies, 1994's The Damnation of Harvey McHugh, for which he won an Australian Film Institute Award, and 2003's CrashBurn, before retiring from performance in 2005.
In the field of acting, he is probably best known for his lead roles in two television dramedies, 1994's The Damnation of Harvey McHugh, for which he won an Australian Film Institute Award, and 2003's CrashBurn, before retiring from performance in 2005.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
Read
October 9, 2024Honestly, I’m just glad this is finally over (even though book 19 said it was the final book on the back, this time it actually is the final book). This series gave up pretending to have any semblance of a plot so long ago that everything that happens is irrelevant. Even my son who loved the early books said this one was boring and kinda stupid. I think we just felt compelled to finish after starting the series together all those years back. (I would have given up on this way back, but he likes having someone to talk to about it).
It does at least bring itself full circle, and we get a glimpse of the expected futures for the giant cast that wound up included in the random running around everywhere that seems to be the main theme. But this series should have stopped at book ten at the latest.
It does at least bring itself full circle, and we get a glimpse of the expected futures for the giant cast that wound up included in the random running around everywhere that seems to be the main theme. But this series should have stopped at book ten at the latest.
January 29, 2025
This was not at all how I expected this series to end! It was a good closure to the series for me. Definitely recommend if you like time travel or space/multiverse travel!
December 13, 2024
Blabey’s series about bad guys going good is a humor-filled adventure with lots of surprises while also taking a very strange but exciting twist involving multiverses and magical beings. While it has been a bit of an exhausting journey, the final volume gives us a very emotional conclusion with them all with each of them having a new beginning. It certainly is a great series that shows being good is never a bad thing. A- (91%/Excellent)
December 18, 2024
Thank Goodness, the series is over. It was becoming insufferable. There are some redemption here, but how I wished I would have stopped at book 4 or 5.
I know I know, kids like zip zaap zoom duels, toilet humour, zombies, superheroes, supervillains, multiverses, dinosaurs, space travels, time travel etc….but all in one? Bit too much? But, what do I know, I am 40 years too old for this :)
I know I know, kids like zip zaap zoom duels, toilet humour, zombies, superheroes, supervillains, multiverses, dinosaurs, space travels, time travel etc….but all in one? Bit too much? But, what do I know, I am 40 years too old for this :)
April 28, 2025
I accidentally skipped 14 books ahead so I had no clue what was happening in this one. I’m sure I’d enjoy it more if I knew what was going on.
November 12, 2025
3.5- Kind of a flashback, kind of a new story. Explains some things, gives me a few more questions about what happens to the other characters in the end (although it does a good job of summing up the other characters).
August 26, 2025
I think the 👻 book was a four star 💫 book 📕 because it had great 😊 parts and the characters were great 😊 and the story was really fun 🤩 and the author ✍️made a great 👍🏻 story.
November 26, 2024
How do you end a twenty-volume series that begins as a children’s book homage to classic Tarantino movies but ends as a bizarre cosmic morality tale? With mullets, of course! If you’re only familiar with “The Bad Guys” from the film adaptation, you might be surprised to learn that the series on which it was based quickly abandons the heist genre for intergalactic time-travel stories involving alternate realities, God-like psychic powers, and the ultimate showdown between good and evil.
While I liked the first few crime-flavored volumes best, author Aaron Blabey made the space opera stuff work for a while with funny but compelling characters, intriguing world building, and what felt like real stakes for some of the main characters. They had to deal with tough problems like life’s seemingly inherent cruelty, recovering from trauma, and betrayals from friends. Unfortunately, as the series got more and more complicated, Blabey couldn’t seem to keep track of the various plot threads and the story unravels. In Book 19 he brings back some characters I had forgotten about but whose story arcs had been more interesting than the main plot. And while the books were never dense with detail, he barely seemed to bother with story in the last few volumes. Book 19 features an extended battle of psychic powers where the characters point at each other and make noises while gray waves emanate from their hands. It reminded me of the fight scene from “Dinner for Schmucks.”
I actually thought Book 19 ended on something of a cliffhanger and that the series climax would be in Book 20, but this volume begins with the final battle already over. That’s how exciting the climax was in Book 19: I don’t even member it. Book 20 ends up being the series’ denouement instead. I didn’t care for the explanation of why Mr. Wolf decided to go good, which Book 20 reveals, but “One Last Thing” does a good job of capturing the sadness among the characters that their adventure is over. It feels a little like they’re saying goodbye to a dying friend, with death the ultimate antagonist for all our friendships and loves. It’s a tough concept for a children’s book to tackle, but at its best, “The Bad Guys” succeeds.
While I liked the first few crime-flavored volumes best, author Aaron Blabey made the space opera stuff work for a while with funny but compelling characters, intriguing world building, and what felt like real stakes for some of the main characters. They had to deal with tough problems like life’s seemingly inherent cruelty, recovering from trauma, and betrayals from friends. Unfortunately, as the series got more and more complicated, Blabey couldn’t seem to keep track of the various plot threads and the story unravels. In Book 19 he brings back some characters I had forgotten about but whose story arcs had been more interesting than the main plot. And while the books were never dense with detail, he barely seemed to bother with story in the last few volumes. Book 19 features an extended battle of psychic powers where the characters point at each other and make noises while gray waves emanate from their hands. It reminded me of the fight scene from “Dinner for Schmucks.”
I actually thought Book 19 ended on something of a cliffhanger and that the series climax would be in Book 20, but this volume begins with the final battle already over. That’s how exciting the climax was in Book 19: I don’t even member it. Book 20 ends up being the series’ denouement instead. I didn’t care for the explanation of why Mr. Wolf decided to go good, which Book 20 reveals, but “One Last Thing” does a good job of capturing the sadness among the characters that their adventure is over. It feels a little like they’re saying goodbye to a dying friend, with death the ultimate antagonist for all our friendships and loves. It’s a tough concept for a children’s book to tackle, but at its best, “The Bad Guys” succeeds.
April 13, 2025
Read this in like 15 minutes. Felt like a filler/wrap up book. Not much happened... But I guess it's done now.
February 17, 2025
Not a bad conclusion. Very easy ending in a way, but good for kids.
January 22, 2025
The last 3 or 4 books in this series felt like they had a lot of filler. Not as much plot and humour as in the earlier books. It could have been a little condensed and ended a book or two ago. That being said, we both (me and the 7-year-old) really enjoyed this series. There are so many great moments and humour that we both appreciated. I strongly recommend the series.
September 2, 2025
such a good series the ending did not disappoint i like how the story is wolf gos back to make him good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2024
are you stretching this 1 out like i am ... i got a bit more to read ...but i don't want it to end. i think this is the last in the series ... and i am crying ... don't want it to end ... like a Christmas every time the author brings out another. so awesome!! i love the illustrations. great reads. must read. please allow your kiddie poohs to read these ... i am 46 ... and i love them. must read for sure. check them out. i think kids of ALL AGES will approve of them. great series.
December 27, 2024
Honestly, I'm just relieved this is finally over. Even though book 19 claimed to be the last one, this time it actually is. The series gave up on having a coherent plot so long ago that nothing that happens feels important anymore. The last book was especially confusing, with events that weren’t even fully explained or discussed. It seems to have ended, but not really—though thankfully, there won’t be any more.
We finished the series because we started it together, and my son enjoyed it, even after it lost its plot. He still found them funny, but even he admitted the later books weren’t as good.
The ending is strange too like Wolf is with them but not?!? Like ok.... Anyway. Glad it's over wish it never lost its plot. This could have been great. But it would have been an epic series if it ended a few books ago when there was still a good plot.
We finished the series because we started it together, and my son enjoyed it, even after it lost its plot. He still found them funny, but even he admitted the later books weren’t as good.
The ending is strange too like Wolf is with them but not?!? Like ok.... Anyway. Glad it's over wish it never lost its plot. This could have been great. But it would have been an epic series if it ended a few books ago when there was still a good plot.
December 15, 2024
This might not be a fair rating, considering my son and I read the first four volumes and then skipped to this, the twentieth, but all the multiverse stuff (and even a finger snap moment à la Avengers) felt pretty cheap and made me glad I didn't get stuck reading all twenty books to my son. That being said, it was fun seeing scenes from the first entry playing out from a different perspective; I'm a sucker for time travel in general.
September 25, 2025
Ok this review will be long (my longest so far). I really really really really really really really really really really liked this book. I think that it was cool seeing wolfs backstory and to find out how and why he so suddenly wanted to do good. It was very interesting. It was a great finale to the series. Overall 5 stars
Book 1:
I think that this book was alright. After reading about 12 of the books 5 years ago I think now I found the books quite short and rushed. This book didn’t really explain much of the characters. I didn’t like how the only point of the book was basically to rescue a cat from a tree. Overall 3 stars.
Book 2:
I think that this book was very good and interesting. I like the mission of this book of breaking into the chicken farm. I think that finding marmalade at the end was very cool. I liked marmalade more later when became an alien. I think after reading all the books this one is my favourite book in the series. Overall 5 stars.
Book 3:
After reading all the books in the bad guys series books 3-5 are kinda a blur. I don’t really remember much about this book but I didn’t like that it gets rushed really REALLY FAST! Overall 2 stars.
Book 4:
Again with this book I thought that this book was really rushed and didn’t explain anything in much detail. I don’t like how the books keep adding around 4 more characters every book. Overall 2 stars.
Book 5:
I think that this book is a fun book. It’s cool to see the bad guys in space and trying to save earth. I like how they find that marmalade is an alien at the end of the book. I also think that this book gives more character to snake and starts to develop on his evil character he will become later. Overall 4 stars.
Book 6:
I think that this book was alright. The books are now starting to get a bit repetitive. Most books the bad guys find more characters, make plan, fight someone, get trapped or win and then the book ends and then starts directly where they started. I also think that it also develops more character and back story on snake. Overall 3 stars.
Book 7:
I think that this book was kinda weird and interesting. It was kinda weird that the bad guys got a Time Machine and travelled back to the dinosaurs. I didn’t like how they all got superpowers at the end of the book. Overall 2 stars.
Book 8:
This book was really good. I really like how the bad guys get to meet the International League Of Heroes. I like how they introduce these new characters that basically stay the whole series. MY NEW FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS MILTON THE DINOSUAR. He’s so funny. Overall 4 stars.
Book 9:
This book was very interesting. It wasn’t very good in my opinion because the whole book was basically mr wolf turner giant and trying to destroy the whole city. Overall 2 stars.
Book 10:
I honestly can’t remember what happened in this book. Overall 3 stars.
Book 11:
I think that this book was good because it explained snake and wolfs past. And when they were first becoming bad guys. Oh and I also liked that snake is evil. And that the people are starting to travel through the different dimensions and space doors. Overall 3 stars.
Book 12:
This review is gonna be short because that all the had guys books are getting to blurry and have basically merged into one. (Just make the series into 2 novels at this point) I think that this book was good because it was interesting to find out the agent fox was is the one. Overall 4 stars.
Book 13:
This book was alright. I didn’t that it was necessary to have the whole book set in just 1 dimension. It was kinda a waste of a good book/story. Overall 3 stars.
Book 14:
Again this book was alright. And I also didn’t think that they needed an entire dimension for this book. But the only good thing about this book is that agent fox was knocked out so the bad guys actually got some good independence and had to survive without using agent fox. Overall 4 stars.
Book 15:
It was kinda a weird book (Edit: they only get weirder!). The dentist part was a but brutal in my opinion. But I liked the horror/scary part at the end of the book. Overall 3 stars.
Book 16:
I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK! But it still gets weirder! This book was cool when it introduced a new underlord person and the horror realm was cool. And I now like that the books switch is between the 2 teams (A and B). My favourite character is still MILTON THE DINOSAUR! Overall 4 stars.
Book 17:
I didn’t really like this book. It could have had a chance if the battle in the arena was more challenging for them. All they did was basically use their powers and then the others came out and saved them. I wanted more challenges and fighting. The end of the book though starts to go into the CRAZY ERA OF BAD GUYS BOOKS! Overall 2 stars
Book 18:
This book had a massive plot twist. I liked how agent shortfuse (Rhonda) was actually THE ONE! The book was a bit weird and confusing, for a kids book. Overall 3 stars.
Book 19:
This book was a good ending with MASSIVE plot twists! I really liked how it explained the backstory of the main characters. The characters also have completely changed between the first book and this one. I didn’t think that it was necessary to basically make Mr Wolf a being more powerful than the universe (but you never know with bad guys books). I like how that Wolf is now working with agent shortfuse and training to become THE ONE and protect the universe. Good book though. I really like the jokes in the 17 book it was very funny. Overall 4 stars.
Book 1:
I think that this book was alright. After reading about 12 of the books 5 years ago I think now I found the books quite short and rushed. This book didn’t really explain much of the characters. I didn’t like how the only point of the book was basically to rescue a cat from a tree. Overall 3 stars.
Book 2:
I think that this book was very good and interesting. I like the mission of this book of breaking into the chicken farm. I think that finding marmalade at the end was very cool. I liked marmalade more later when became an alien. I think after reading all the books this one is my favourite book in the series. Overall 5 stars.
Book 3:
After reading all the books in the bad guys series books 3-5 are kinda a blur. I don’t really remember much about this book but I didn’t like that it gets rushed really REALLY FAST! Overall 2 stars.
Book 4:
Again with this book I thought that this book was really rushed and didn’t explain anything in much detail. I don’t like how the books keep adding around 4 more characters every book. Overall 2 stars.
Book 5:
I think that this book is a fun book. It’s cool to see the bad guys in space and trying to save earth. I like how they find that marmalade is an alien at the end of the book. I also think that this book gives more character to snake and starts to develop on his evil character he will become later. Overall 4 stars.
Book 6:
I think that this book was alright. The books are now starting to get a bit repetitive. Most books the bad guys find more characters, make plan, fight someone, get trapped or win and then the book ends and then starts directly where they started. I also think that it also develops more character and back story on snake. Overall 3 stars.
Book 7:
I think that this book was kinda weird and interesting. It was kinda weird that the bad guys got a Time Machine and travelled back to the dinosaurs. I didn’t like how they all got superpowers at the end of the book. Overall 2 stars.
Book 8:
This book was really good. I really like how the bad guys get to meet the International League Of Heroes. I like how they introduce these new characters that basically stay the whole series. MY NEW FAVOURITE CHARACTER IS MILTON THE DINOSUAR. He’s so funny. Overall 4 stars.
Book 9:
This book was very interesting. It wasn’t very good in my opinion because the whole book was basically mr wolf turner giant and trying to destroy the whole city. Overall 2 stars.
Book 10:
I honestly can’t remember what happened in this book. Overall 3 stars.
Book 11:
I think that this book was good because it explained snake and wolfs past. And when they were first becoming bad guys. Oh and I also liked that snake is evil. And that the people are starting to travel through the different dimensions and space doors. Overall 3 stars.
Book 12:
This review is gonna be short because that all the had guys books are getting to blurry and have basically merged into one. (Just make the series into 2 novels at this point) I think that this book was good because it was interesting to find out the agent fox was is the one. Overall 4 stars.
Book 13:
This book was alright. I didn’t that it was necessary to have the whole book set in just 1 dimension. It was kinda a waste of a good book/story. Overall 3 stars.
Book 14:
Again this book was alright. And I also didn’t think that they needed an entire dimension for this book. But the only good thing about this book is that agent fox was knocked out so the bad guys actually got some good independence and had to survive without using agent fox. Overall 4 stars.
Book 15:
It was kinda a weird book (Edit: they only get weirder!). The dentist part was a but brutal in my opinion. But I liked the horror/scary part at the end of the book. Overall 3 stars.
Book 16:
I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK! But it still gets weirder! This book was cool when it introduced a new underlord person and the horror realm was cool. And I now like that the books switch is between the 2 teams (A and B). My favourite character is still MILTON THE DINOSAUR! Overall 4 stars.
Book 17:
I didn’t really like this book. It could have had a chance if the battle in the arena was more challenging for them. All they did was basically use their powers and then the others came out and saved them. I wanted more challenges and fighting. The end of the book though starts to go into the CRAZY ERA OF BAD GUYS BOOKS! Overall 2 stars
Book 18:
This book had a massive plot twist. I liked how agent shortfuse (Rhonda) was actually THE ONE! The book was a bit weird and confusing, for a kids book. Overall 3 stars.
Book 19:
This book was a good ending with MASSIVE plot twists! I really liked how it explained the backstory of the main characters. The characters also have completely changed between the first book and this one. I didn’t think that it was necessary to basically make Mr Wolf a being more powerful than the universe (but you never know with bad guys books). I like how that Wolf is now working with agent shortfuse and training to become THE ONE and protect the universe. Good book though. I really like the jokes in the 17 book it was very funny. Overall 4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
November 14, 2024Well, that's over.
January 26, 2025
I do not realy think it was a satisfying ending because it seemed like there was more to the story.
November 5, 2024
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
After defeating the centipede in The Serpent and the Beast, and traveling to the past, Mr. Wolf is brought by The One (aka Rhonda, who has materialized as a Tasmanian Devil with a mullet and futuristic space suit) to the moment in time when he and Snake are celebrating in a diner after robbing twenty one banks in twenty one days. Mr. Wolf has time traveled and is seeing himself in the multiverse. What made him decide to be good that day, and why did he gather the other Bad Guys? Then, The One thinks it is important for Mr. Wolf to see the future, and the two travel about, visiting other characters. They crash Mr. Wolf's funeral (which everyone had said was too soon), and see not only the B-Team Bad Guys (including The Tiffinator, Penguin, and a snake with butt hands?) but also Agent Kitty Kat and Agent Hogwild, who are retiring from saving the universe to go back to their medical and engineering careers, respectively. Mr. Wolf hikes up the mountain to visit Ellen, who is breathing and teaching yoga. He also chats with Cedric Snake, who is living a contemplative life since he feels bad about his role in all of the evil, even though he wasn't in control of himself. The three part sweetly and vow to stay in touch. The One has an existential question for Mr. Wolf; when did he decide to become good? It's finally determined that it is only because the future Mr. Wolf, resplendent in the sacred mullet and space suit, visited the bank robbing Mr. Wolf and convinced him to change his ways. Future Mr. Wolf returns to the diner just as Cedric is leaving, and talks to his former self, who massively freaks out. Finally believing that his counterpart is from the future, and that the world will end unless Mr. Wolf becomes good and has a role in saving the universe, the path is clear. Future Mr. Wolf causes his past self to forget everything except the imperative to become good. His mission accomplished, Mr. Wolf apprentices himself to The One, and helps her to take care of the multiverse. At the very end, the character with the butt hands says that his story deserves to have more told about it, but we are assured that this will not happen because this is THE END.
I have to admit to using the Bad Guys Wiki to try to get up to speed on character names; while Blabey is a master of onomatopoeic words (Wokkita! Wokkita! Vrroww!), this leaves less room for throwing in character names, which would have been helpful. Readers who have practically memorized the series won't have problems identifying characters, and will enjoy this excursion down memory lane.
The first Bad Guys book came out in 2017, and at the time, I was too busy laughing at the facial expressions on the cat stuck up in a tree who was looking down at the Bad Guys in horror to think too much about why Mr. Wolf decided to give up his life of crime. It's a good use of the multiverse to have Mr. Wolf go back and visit himself. Of course The One (aka Rhonda) knows that he needs to do this; she's in charge of the multiverse, after all. It's good to revisit that defining moment and view it in a new way. Language arts teachers everywhere will appreciate the frenetic start to the book that defines and discusses flashbacks as a narrative element, even though it's time travel, rather than a flashback, so no blurred edges are really needed.
"What a long strange trip it's been," to quote Jerry Garcia. I'm not entirely sure what happened in these twenty books, and I have yet to have a protracted conversation with some of the fans of the series, but I'm sure that they would be able to tell me chapter and verse about the escapades of the Bad Guys. Since I feel a sense of peace and closure knowing that Ellen is on her mountain teaching yoga, and Agent Kitty Kat is working in the medical field, I'm sure that avid fans will also enjoy touching base with their favorite characters and knowing that all is right in the multiverse, since Rhonda and Mr. Wolf are policing it in their futuristic, winged Spandex jumpsuits. The Bad Guys are finished. Long live the Bad Guys.
After defeating the centipede in The Serpent and the Beast, and traveling to the past, Mr. Wolf is brought by The One (aka Rhonda, who has materialized as a Tasmanian Devil with a mullet and futuristic space suit) to the moment in time when he and Snake are celebrating in a diner after robbing twenty one banks in twenty one days. Mr. Wolf has time traveled and is seeing himself in the multiverse. What made him decide to be good that day, and why did he gather the other Bad Guys? Then, The One thinks it is important for Mr. Wolf to see the future, and the two travel about, visiting other characters. They crash Mr. Wolf's funeral (which everyone had said was too soon), and see not only the B-Team Bad Guys (including The Tiffinator, Penguin, and a snake with butt hands?) but also Agent Kitty Kat and Agent Hogwild, who are retiring from saving the universe to go back to their medical and engineering careers, respectively. Mr. Wolf hikes up the mountain to visit Ellen, who is breathing and teaching yoga. He also chats with Cedric Snake, who is living a contemplative life since he feels bad about his role in all of the evil, even though he wasn't in control of himself. The three part sweetly and vow to stay in touch. The One has an existential question for Mr. Wolf; when did he decide to become good? It's finally determined that it is only because the future Mr. Wolf, resplendent in the sacred mullet and space suit, visited the bank robbing Mr. Wolf and convinced him to change his ways. Future Mr. Wolf returns to the diner just as Cedric is leaving, and talks to his former self, who massively freaks out. Finally believing that his counterpart is from the future, and that the world will end unless Mr. Wolf becomes good and has a role in saving the universe, the path is clear. Future Mr. Wolf causes his past self to forget everything except the imperative to become good. His mission accomplished, Mr. Wolf apprentices himself to The One, and helps her to take care of the multiverse. At the very end, the character with the butt hands says that his story deserves to have more told about it, but we are assured that this will not happen because this is THE END.
I have to admit to using the Bad Guys Wiki to try to get up to speed on character names; while Blabey is a master of onomatopoeic words (Wokkita! Wokkita! Vrroww!), this leaves less room for throwing in character names, which would have been helpful. Readers who have practically memorized the series won't have problems identifying characters, and will enjoy this excursion down memory lane.
The first Bad Guys book came out in 2017, and at the time, I was too busy laughing at the facial expressions on the cat stuck up in a tree who was looking down at the Bad Guys in horror to think too much about why Mr. Wolf decided to give up his life of crime. It's a good use of the multiverse to have Mr. Wolf go back and visit himself. Of course The One (aka Rhonda) knows that he needs to do this; she's in charge of the multiverse, after all. It's good to revisit that defining moment and view it in a new way. Language arts teachers everywhere will appreciate the frenetic start to the book that defines and discusses flashbacks as a narrative element, even though it's time travel, rather than a flashback, so no blurred edges are really needed.
"What a long strange trip it's been," to quote Jerry Garcia. I'm not entirely sure what happened in these twenty books, and I have yet to have a protracted conversation with some of the fans of the series, but I'm sure that they would be able to tell me chapter and verse about the escapades of the Bad Guys. Since I feel a sense of peace and closure knowing that Ellen is on her mountain teaching yoga, and Agent Kitty Kat is working in the medical field, I'm sure that avid fans will also enjoy touching base with their favorite characters and knowing that all is right in the multiverse, since Rhonda and Mr. Wolf are policing it in their futuristic, winged Spandex jumpsuits. The Bad Guys are finished. Long live the Bad Guys.
November 2, 2025
Except for books 1-3, 16, and 18, I read the entire series. After seeing Bad Guys 2, I thought I would read the source material. I am not sure what I was expecting what I got was like someone was recording young children at play and ran it through a fever dream. It was a trip of train wreck. Now, this is coming from someone who is definitively not the target age group. In terms of plot, I prefer the movies, but I do have a bone to pick with the movies.
Why was Legs changed into Webs as well as a girl tarantula? What was the point of that? Also, why was Ellen's backstory and name changed? If there is going to be a 3rd movie, how close are we going to get to the books specifically about Marmalade? That is where we went off the rails even more so than zittens.
Verdict: Young elementary students (about 2nd to possibly 4th grades) will think this hilarious in parts, but older readers may think this is nuts. This might be why the movies were reworked for larger appeal. Yet, how this series is now makes it perfect for Cartoon Network. Even though it was crazy, near the end of the series we got some heartfelt and meaningful points.
Why was Legs changed into Webs as well as a girl tarantula? What was the point of that? Also, why was Ellen's backstory and name changed? If there is going to be a 3rd movie, how close are we going to get to the books specifically about Marmalade? That is where we went off the rails even more so than zittens.
Verdict: Young elementary students (about 2nd to possibly 4th grades) will think this hilarious in parts, but older readers may think this is nuts. This might be why the movies were reworked for larger appeal. Yet, how this series is now makes it perfect for Cartoon Network. Even though it was crazy, near the end of the series we got some heartfelt and meaningful points.
November 8, 2024
So, The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey has been running for 8 years now and I just finished the finale (#20) which hits shelves in just a few days (Nov. 12th).
I started this series a couple of years ago when I just had to find out if the hype was worth it, and to see if it would be a series my daughters would enjoy when they got a little older. Also saw that Dav Pilkey put his stamp of approval on it, and Dav WAS my childhood (Captain Underpants FTW).
*I'm about to start in on a nostalgia trip that includes the Scholastic Book Fair but I'll save it for another time*
The Bad Guys is an absolute winner from beginning to end. It is laugh-out-loud hysterical with a fantastic premise, and the finale wraps everything up in a perfect bow just in time for the holidays.
Blabey has officially become my family's favorite author, and I say that having purchased and read (at least 10x) every single one of his children's books for my kids (Pig the Pug, Thelma the Unicorn, etc)
I HIGHLY recommend this series for adults w/ kiddos in the middle grade range.
I started this series a couple of years ago when I just had to find out if the hype was worth it, and to see if it would be a series my daughters would enjoy when they got a little older. Also saw that Dav Pilkey put his stamp of approval on it, and Dav WAS my childhood (Captain Underpants FTW).
*I'm about to start in on a nostalgia trip that includes the Scholastic Book Fair but I'll save it for another time*
The Bad Guys is an absolute winner from beginning to end. It is laugh-out-loud hysterical with a fantastic premise, and the finale wraps everything up in a perfect bow just in time for the holidays.
Blabey has officially become my family's favorite author, and I say that having purchased and read (at least 10x) every single one of his children's books for my kids (Pig the Pug, Thelma the Unicorn, etc)
I HIGHLY recommend this series for adults w/ kiddos in the middle grade range.
January 9, 2025
wow, here we are at the end. 20 books later, one movie, one movie novelization, and the bad guys series has finally reached The End. and my god, what a fitting ending for this series. i know the last two or three books really felt like filler, but this was a great little ending and i'm so glad to have seen what happened to all of our main characters. i'm so glad wolf (and snake and ellen, especially) got a happy ending. and most importantly ...
Read
March 1, 2025Wow, we finished the whole series! As an adult, I could sit here and give you a critical review. But I think the point is that my 6 and 4 year olds absolutely loved ATE THIS UP. They didn’t care about strange plot twists with no foreshadowing, odd explanations, or even certain volumes that were mostly words in cool fonts trying to dredge up some backstory. No, they were excited to be reading! They almost always groaned when we finished a volume and said, “But it’s getting so good!” And that’s what I’m here for. So for us, it’s been a wild ride and definitely worth it!
Peace out Wolfie!
Peace out Wolfie!
November 14, 2025
This ending sucked ngl. It was very unsatisfying and the book didn't pick up where book 19 ended.
It was also kind of annoying how wolf's life and his future are just already decided just because. He didn't become good because he wanted to, or because he had a good heart deep down, He just becomes The One's sidekick because... fate, or something. It just doesn't make sense. Kids books should have meaningful character developments and story lines too. I like the Bad Guys movies way better in that aspect.
It was also kind of annoying how wolf's life and his future are just already decided just because. He didn't become good because he wanted to, or because he had a good heart deep down, He just becomes The One's sidekick because... fate, or something. It just doesn't make sense. Kids books should have meaningful character developments and story lines too. I like the Bad Guys movies way better in that aspect.
February 11, 2025
I was flabbergasted when I realized that wrapped up the ENTIRE series from the beginning. Like, of him being the assistant of The One? And she making him change his past? Like… Omg! That’s what turned him into the good guy! I was SO happy and I didn’t believe it!
But I do have one question. How did he get to be The One’s assistant if he started out good but he turned himself good later but not later in life? but if you know what I mean pls answer!
But I do have one question. How did he get to be The One’s assistant if he started out good but he turned himself good later but not later in life? but if you know what I mean pls answer!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2025
A satisfying conclusion to this fun middle grade series; I can see where it wouldn't be for everyone (the series and/or, specifically the conclusion), but me, I'm .
I'd mentioned to my son that book #19 was kind of a let-down for me and that I hoped the series would end better; he told me that book #20 would be worth it...and it was.
I'd mentioned to my son that book #19 was kind of a let-down for me and that I hoped the series would end better; he told me that book #20 would be worth it...and it was.
November 15, 2024
A very nice send off, wrapping things up and reconnecting to the start of the series. I found myself a bit emotional at the end, having read through this series with my son. And though it went in an unexpected direction with the 'saving the universe' storyline, it always remained firmly about friendship, connection and trying to do what was best for each other.
November 23, 2024
Well gang, we did it. The series is completed. The earlier books were much better than the later ones but each book at least give me side eye from my manager while chuckling. Then he at least read the first one and understood. I'm alright with the wrap-up no matter how ridiculous and cliche and I'm still always gonna recommend this to kids who want a laugh.
December 12, 2024
4 stars (I really liked it)
I have to admit that this series was a bit drawn out and I was happy to see that is was finally ending. I think this was a very fitting end to the series. Although so much had happened and things were so random that I kind of want to go back now and re-read it all in one sitting... maybe this summer.
I'm glad it ended on a good note though!
I have to admit that this series was a bit drawn out and I was happy to see that is was finally ending. I think this was a very fitting end to the series. Although so much had happened and things were so random that I kind of want to go back now and re-read it all in one sitting... maybe this summer.
I'm glad it ended on a good note though!
Read
August 4, 2025The first ten books of the series were incredible, but I think it got a bit confusing when the multiverse stuff got introduced. I think this series would have been an amazing and strong series if it had ended at book ten. I think the series dragged on a bit to long.
Altogether this book was alright but rather confusing and I really felt that Blabey could have improved the ending.
Altogether this book was alright but rather confusing and I really felt that Blabey could have improved the ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews