- Graphic Novels
- Ages 7–11
- Comedy
Alan, King of the Universe
A chaotic, funny two-colour graphic novel about a power-hungry cat and his loyal dog sidekick trying to conquer the universe. Strong for reluctant readers who like silly villains, pets and fast comic energy.
- Best for7–11
- FormatGraphic
- Length160 pp
- Read aloud~1 hr15 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Comedic
- Onomatopoeic
Tone
- Funny
- Silly
- Absurdist
- Irreverent
- Exciting
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Alan is a cat with enormous ambitions: he wants to be king of the universe. With his dog sidekick Fido, he launches into a series of ridiculous plans, cosmic schemes and very important attempts to get home in time for tea. Tom McLaughlin's graphic novel is built for comedy first, with an egotistical animal protagonist, quick visual jokes and enough adventure structure to pull readers through the pages. It sits well in the modern UK funny-graphic-novel lane for 7+ readers: accessible, energetic and much less demanding than dense prose. The emotional depth is lighter than in art-led graphic novels, but the recommendation value is practical and strong. It should work especially well for children who enjoy Dog Man, Bunny vs Monkey, Looshkin or other fast, gag-led stories with antihero chaos.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 7–11
- Read aloud · 6–10
- Independent · 7–11
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Workable
Works well for
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
3 / 5 · Workable
Sensitive-child
4 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Funny graphic novel
- Reluctant readers
- Cats and dogs
- Silly villain
- High energy comedy
Avoid if
- Wants calm reading
- Prefers realistic stories
- Dislikes chaotic comics
Particularly good for children who are…
- Reluctant reader
- Struggling with reading
- Neurodiversity or learning differences
In the classroom
How it works in school.
An absurd, fast-paced comic — a brilliant reluctant-reader pick and classroom-library crowd-pleaser.
A book children love that happens to support school — never a stand-in for the texts a class is taught with. Reviewed for the classroom · June 2026.
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The specific delight is the cat with cosmic plans — Alan the egotistical feline determined to be king of the universe, Fido the loyal dog sidekick, ridiculous schemes punctuated by urgent attempts to be home in time for tea. The two-colour graphic novel for the Dog Man / Bunny vs Monkey reader.
- Adventure and freedom
- Having a nemesis
- Revenge on adults
- Talking to animals
- Trickery and cleverness
Why parents love it
The Tom McLaughlin graphic novel — antihero-pet chaos, fast visual gags, two-colour energy, adventure structure pulling readers through. Strong for reluctant readers who want Dog Man / Looshkin energy. Lighter on emotional weight than art-led graphic novels; high on momentum.
- Shared humour
- Quick to read
About the author & illustrator
Tom McLaughlin.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
More like this…
Books that share themes and topics with this one.
Where you’ll find it
On these reading lists.
Buy or borrow
Pick up a copy.
- Bookshop.org ↗
- Waterstones ↗
- Amazon UK ↗
- Hive ↗
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