The Bad Guys in Cut to the Chase (The Bad Guys #13)

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 Bad Guys have entered a whole new world--like, literally--a VERY nasty new universe awaits. Oh, Mr. Snake, what have you done...?

The Bad Guys Book Series: Chapter Book Readers

Aaron Blabey is the creator of The Bad Guys book series. A native of Australia, he has written many children's books that have garnered him many awards.

He has written three hugely successful series: Pig the Pug, Bad Guys, and Thelma the Unicorn children's book.

He is the recipient of the children's peace literature award, Australian book design awards, indie book award, and NSW premiers literary award, been among many awards in the children's literature niche.

Aaron's books are great for children who are into hero-themed stories, and it has even been made into a major motion picture.

The Bad Guys in Cut to the Chase - Decent Explanations

The wildly entertaining, humorous, and adventurous chapter "Chase the Bad Guys" begins with a flashback of Snake being bullied as a kid. As he is being picked on, he is rescued by Mr.Wolf.

The scene then transitions to Team A falling into a group of spikes, which appears to be the end for our wannabe heroes.

However, they float above them right before they land on the spikes due to a gravity fluctuation.

As Team A jokes in this threatening situation, readers are taken over to Team B, who has been traveling through space to reconnect with Team A and take down the evil centipede "Splaarghön." 

Nathan suggests that the Team visit his planet to request a faster ship, and as they arrive at his planet, they are shot down by the planet's security team.

As the team arrives on the planet, Nathan is seen as a traitor, and the King denies him and the team access to the faster ship. Fortunately, a Bull, a ship repairman, enthusiastically helps fix Team B's ship, and they blast off to reconnect with Team A.

Transitioning back to Team A, they are greeted by Snake, who has been mind controlled. All he craves is attaining more power. He attacks his former team members, including Agent Fox.

As Agent Fox falls to her apparent death, Mr. Fox catches her in his arms and confronts Snake about his actions.

He reminds Snake of how long they have been friends and what their friendship means to him.

Despite seemingly turning sides, Snake has flashbacks to that faithful day of Mr.Wolf defending him when he was a kid.

He tells Mr. Wolf that he is doing all of this to get them more power. He believes what he is doing will save them in the end.

As they connect, the evil centipede "Splaarghön" enters the dimensions, and Team B arrives at their location -- and they are ready for a fight.

As they are about to engage in battle and get to the climax of the fight, Agent Fox awakens and yells a mighty scream that...teleports all of the wannabe heroes away from Splaarghön into a new dimension. 

Snake is with them, and as they see the new mysterious doorway that will take them to another dimension, they look back at Snake, still dazed from the explosion, and they walk away.

Leaving him...alone!

A Few Decent Explanations & Themes Of the Story Of Bad Guys In Cut

In this 10-chapter wacky volume, readers are taken to an alternate universe where gravity does not play by the same rules; the character's bodies protrude spikes out of their bodies; and the heroes seem to be somewhat like electrons -- meaning they continue to pop up in a different location in space.

However, a major theme that was prevalent throughout this volume was the power of friendship and how much of a gift it is, as well as how painful it can be when taken away.

What Makes A Bully?

We open up with the story showing how Mr. Wolf had been there for Snake when no one else was there.

We also get a better glimpse into the psyche of Snake and why he craves having so much power.

When allowed to attain power, those who feel powerless will often want more power. They are so afraid to be weak again that they will do anything and everything, never to be weak again.

Even if that means turning on your best friends.

This touching sentiment of "fighting on behalf of someone other than yourself" was cemented in the memory of Snake -- and this is evident when Mr. Fox tries to remind Snake of their friendship, and he momentarily remembers all the good times with him.

The last moments of this chapter of "Chase The Bad Guys" brilliantly express the power of friendship and how friends are more than companions but allies in this chaotic experience known as life.

The last few scenes of Snake's friends leaving him alone and moving on to a new dimension without him were twistedly poetic.

We begin the story with Snake being alone and having Mr. Wolf come to his rescue, and end with Snake being surrounded by evil henchmen to then having his friends turn their back on him and again leaving him alone.

Snake's reasons for wanting more power are understandable but not admirable.

This chapter of "Cut To The Chase" was a roller coaster of a ride and will play on the emotional strings of readers. They will laugh, empathize and even smile from this crazy adventure.

We dare you to keep a straight face!

Discover More About This Hugely Successful Series

Discover more bestselling books from this acclaimed writer and illustrator, who has received nine real awards for his genius stories. Learn more about this New York Times bestselling illustrated series here.

Aaron Blabey's stories are among some of the funniest and most entertaining series for young readers.