Mattel Forges New Publishing Partnerships

Mattel has formed new publishing partnerships with ABRAMS and IDW to launch a program expanding the Monster High universe.

The Monster High publishing program is set to launch with two novels and a comic book series by ABRAMS and IDW, respectively. 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 written by Adrianna Cuevas and published by ABRAMS. The Monster High ghouls come back more “spooktacular” than ever in this all-new series.

In spring 2024 and also in partnership with ABRAMS, the story of the original Monster High alumni characters will continue in a brand-new young adult novel. Titled Once Bitten, Twice Dead, the novel offers a darker spin on the familiar Monster High universe featuring fan-favorite character Draculaura. It is written by Tiffany Schmidt.

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, brand-new story in a 32-page comic, plus an extended preview of IDW’s new series, Monster High: New Scaremester.

The Monster High publishing program builds upon Mattel’s ongoing efforts to further engage audiences through storytelling. Earlier this year, Mattel announced its own publishing imprint with Simon & Schuster as its sales and distribution partner.

“Ever since Monster High’s original launch in 2010, the franchise has been rooted in storytelling,” said Ryan Ferguson, global head of publishing at 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.”