Mattel Announces Monster High Publishing Program

Mattel has announced two new publishing partnerships with ABRAMS and IDW to launch a publishing program augmenting Mattel’s Monster High universe.

The Monster High publishing program will launch with two novels and a comic book series by ABRAMS and IDW, respectively, and follows years of demand from the brand’s fan base. The program will feature new artwork and stories to bring the Monster High brand to audiences through new formats.

The program kicks off this Halloween with “A Fright to Remember (Monster High School Spirits #1),” a middle-grade novel by Adrianna Cuevas and published by ABRAMS.

In spring 2024, also in partnership with ABRAMS, Monster High will continue the story of the original Monster High alum characters in a new young adult novel. Titled “Once Bitten, Twice Dead,” the book offers a darker spin on the Monster High universe featuring the character, Draculaura. Written by Tiffany Schmidt, author of nine young adult novels, this release addresses demand from the alum audience for more stories featuring the original alum Monster High characters. In “Once Bitten, Twice Dead,” Draculaura’s world is turned upside down, and the teenage vampire is forced to navigate grief, love and the meaning of true friendship while uncovering secrets long buried.

Monster High’s comics partnership with IDW will launch on Free Comic Book Day on May 4, when fans will have the chance to get an exclusive new story in a 32-page comic, plus an extended preview of IDW’s new series, “Monster High: New Scaremester.” Set in the Monster High alum world, IDW’s monthly comic book series will further extend stories for fans of the original Monster High brand across 10 comic books, with more to come. Free Comic Book Day is an annual event where participating comic book specialty shops across North America give away comic books.

“Ever since Monster High’s original launch in 2010, the franchise has been rooted in storytelling,” says Ryan Ferguson, global head, publishing, Mattel. “We’re so ‘hexcited’ to continue this tradition by partnering with Abrams to extend the world of Monster High with a new original middle-grade novel. Regarding our alumni characters, the ultra-engaged Monster High fangdom has had a common ask, ‘What happened next?’ We’re thrilled to partner with ABRAMS and IDW to answer that question.”

Earlier this year, Mattel announced its own publishing imprint with Simon & Schuster as its sales and distribution partner.