36 pages • 1-hour read
The Last Kids on Earth and the Nightmare King
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Authorial Context: Max Brallier
Max Brallier is an award-winning author of over 50 children’s books who grew up in Reading, Massachusetts. He is a #1 New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Brallier is the creator of several series, The Last Kids on Earth, Galactic Hot Dogs, and Eerie Elementary, and writes for Adventure Time and LEGO. Brallier particularly enjoys the horror genre, and aims to make it approachable, fun, and interesting for younger readers. Growing up, he was inspired by Calvin & Hobbes and The Simpsons. He was particularly inspired by Bart’s character, who, like Jack Sullivan, is edgy but courageous.
Brallier was inspired to write The Last Kids on Earth because he has always enjoyed stories about characters with a mission to accomplish. He also enjoyed writing a series that necessitated in-depth world-building and led to a grand conclusion. He wrote and produced the animated Netflix adaptation of the series, which earned him an Emmy Award and a Leo Award.
Douglas Holgate is the illustrator of The Last Kids on Earth series, and the co-creator of Clem Hetherington and The Ironwood Race. Holgate works with a wide variety of publishers and specializes in creating comic strips. He collaborates with other comic book artists around the world from his home in Australia. Holgate was awarded a Bronze Ledger Award for a comic he created and published himself, Maralinga, in 2015.
Series Context: The Last Kids on Earth
The Last Kids on Earth is a nine-book series with four standalone books. The Last Kids on Earth and the Nightmare King is the third installment in the series. It sees Jack and his three best friends, Quint, June, and Dirk, living in their town of Wakefield following the monster and zombie apocalypse that destroyed the world they knew. The series begins with this apocalypse, which is brought on by the destructor of worlds known as Ŗeżżőcħ.
Brallier emphasizes the importance of friendship and teamwork. He shows how, even in the direst of circumstances, one can find happiness if connected to other beings and people. Jack wakes up thinking he is alone, but finds his best friend Quint. Dirk, who used to bully Quint and Jack, becomes another friend in the group. In this way, Brallier illustrates how it’s possible to connect with even the most unlikely of allies.
Together, the four friends manage to prevent Ŗeżżőcħ from coming into their world by closing off a portal and fighting off the King Wretch. They live in harmony with a community of well-mannered monsters who came to earth alongside all of the evil creatures sent by Ŗeżżőcħ. With each installment, the friends demonstrate their perseverance and courage and encounter a new major villain to defeat. Throughout the course of the series, Jack and his friends make their way to New York City, where they meet new monsters and eventually confront Ŗeżżőcħ.
Unlock all 36 pages of this Study Guide
Get in-depth, chapter-by-chapter summaries and analysis from our literary experts.
- Grasp challenging concepts with clear, comprehensive explanations
- Revisit key plot points and ideas without rereading the book
- Share impressive insights in classes and book clubs