Monster High returns again!

[Lady Frostbite]

CUPID'S BACK?! Wow, I did NOT see that coming! She honestly looks really good; I hated the huge amount of plastics put on latter G1 and all G2/3 dolls, but it really suits her here, looks very baroque. Lala also looks good, not sure why she pulls it off but she does! It SHOULD work for Frankie, but doesn't?? It makes her look cheap, maybe it's the colour or something. REALLY does not work for Cleo, although the scarab balloon is funny to me for some reason  It's like the inflated a poor beetle and it's having to float there like hellllpppp.

The Hauntlywood ones, EVERY TIME I see that Frankie I think it's supposed to be Abbey, I had this issue with her first locker doll as well before Abbey was actually announced and released. I'm not interested in Catty as I don't like her thicker model.

[Zapper]

Youloveit has all the stock pics of them now. Cupid wears a romper with cut-outs

Spoiler

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Really hate those big cutouts and the grainy XOXO print.

Ooh, I really like that Draculaura and Cupid.   I'll have to think about them. 

Cupid would look so much better if they kept her EAH fashions with the MH base. This one looks a bit too much like a clown to me. Doesn't mean I hate her and want all Cupid fans to die

Ha! I was never a Cupid fan though I've warmed to some of her Ever After High dolls.  I get the clown perspective on this one though.  Maybe that's why I like her?  It's kind of spooky.  And, I have a real soft spot for G3 Draculaura. 

Other fans have started to make colorswaps of Cupid adding more black or removing the blue and she instantly looks better to me. For me the big issue is the mix of red and blue and all those XOXO sugarhearts. I get it, it's Valentines. But they are all over her. She reminds me specifically of the Inner Monster line that G1 had. I agree, Draculaura looks very cute. She is the one I don't mind and I even think the frosting on her works because her earrings and shoes are Sweet Screams inspired.

CUPID'S BACK?! Wow, I did NOT see that coming!

I saw a screenshot of Mattel filing for a new Cupid trademark, so it didn't surprise me that much but I think it's interesting they are recycling Sweet 1600. It goes along with my theory that they're already running out of ideas. They already used 1600 Clawdeen in the deluxe line last year. Yeah, Cleo's balloon is very funny. I just wished they would have used that green somewhere on her. I really don't like her with that light blue. I think the black dress underneath has potential.

Edit: G3 Monster High reminds me a lot of G3 MLP. G2 is getting memoryholed and G3 repeats a lot of beats from G1 to get the fanbase back. G3 ponies looked much closer to G1s again but they added bolder colors and bigger heads/eyes. G3 MH bringing back Cupid strongly implies she is the same Cupid from G1 and EAH, just hopped a dimension again. This links G1 and G3 but not G2. Eh, maybe I am overthinking it but other fans are now all hoping for an EAH reboot. I can't see that happening because Mattel got Disney Princess back and is even doing Descendants now.

Post Merge: January 09, 2025, 10:21:02 AM

Sorry for doublepost, just sharing two fanedits I came across on the MH subreddit:

Spoiler

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Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/MonsterHigh/comments/1hx7xda/my_cupid_edit/

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Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/MonsterHigh/comments/1hwu3kj/not_a_fan_of_red_on_cupid_so_i_made_an_edit_in/

Of course when you dare critique Analise Lao's work you are going to get a passive aggressive response from the G3 crowd but when people "corrected" Lenore Loomington it was fine because she wasn't designed by her. Very funny arguments in the subreddit, a shame I am just a lurker because I would have chimed in

Cupid seems to have a stranglehold on many fans, I never knew how popular she was.

[brightberry]

Zapper,  I really like the pink edit you showed. She looks like an angel. Actually, both look really nice to me.  I'm still into the red version too though. Probably because of the valentine/clown look.     I'm not big into valentine's day,  but she also looks... threatening somehow.

I also love how Draculaura's earings look like the candy bats from Sweets Screams.  I think the pigtails also look a bit like Sweet Screams.

[Zapper]

I also love how Draculaura's earings look like the candy bats from Sweets Screams.  I think the pigtails also look a bit like Sweet Screams.

She really is such a cute Draculaura because they gave her those great V-shaped bangs and high sitting pigtails. She looks like a typical Draculaura, Draculauracore if you will
If these dolls would ever go on a meaningful clearance I would actually consider her because not only is she right on theme, she is also right on brand. I think the best G3 bargain I could get so far was Refresh Cleo for 22€. I would get this Draculaura if she was ever on sale for a similar price point.

I try to be less critical of other fans but it's hard. Lurking the MH Reddit gave me a virtual brain injury. There is a new generation of people who think critique on a doll design is akin to bullying and shaming a real life person who happens to like the design.
Meanwhile, completely redesigning a character you don't like is fine. Just don't redesign the doll version. Make it make sense.

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[brightberry]

I try to be less critical of other fans but it's hard. Lurking the MH Reddit gave me a virtual brain injury. There is a new generation of people who think critique on a doll design is akin to bullying and shaming a real life person who happens to like the design.
Meanwhile, completely redesigning a character you don't like is fine. Just don't redesign the doll version. Make it make sense.

Yea, they aren't making sense.  I often like dolls one day and not the next.  Art is suppose to be subjective.  But, with the internet, we can't tell what kind of person is at the other end.  It's like working in customer service during the holidays.  Expecting people to be reasonable is disappointing.

[Lady Frostbite]

Oh the pink edit is really pretty!! It's almost like that would be the EAH version, it really reminds me of her 2D EAH artwork. I still like her current form, again it's very baroque and suits her very well. Plastic is so hit or miss with this line. You know who would be good fits for this line if the plastic is done well? Operetta and Robecca!

[Zapper]

New Venus McFlytrap collector doll from the Mattel members only forums! Comes out on the 17th, I am going to try and get one! Here are the previews:

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[Zapper]

More news!

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/4388-monster-high-skullector-frankie-barbie-mattel-80th-anniversary-doll.html

This year Mattel is going to release a Barbie styled like Frankie Stein in their first MHxBarbie crossover. Skullector rebranded to a general MH collector line.

[brightberry]

A Barbie crossover sounds very strange! Is she just a fan?

[Lady Frostbite]

Matte celebrates 80th Anniversary in 2025, and this year brings us collaboration of all times - Monster High x Barbie.
Mattel's 80th Anniversary Celebration Monster High Doll is Frankie, with her signature green fur and metallic accessories, with the look of one of the most iconic dolls: Barbie. Frankie has a high ponytail with her black and white hair, black dress with matching gloves and heels and underneath the iconic black and white striped bodysuit with white sunglasses.
To be updated!

... FUR?! I think you mean SKIN there!

Skullector's Venus pictures have been released. I don't like her outfit at all, it looks like a placeholder or she just threw it on. Really, a denim babygrow when your overall look is deeply green and complicated??

Frankie has a Make-a-Monster playset coming. It should be a really cool idea, but this is almost a summery of why I don't really like G3; it's too cutesy compared to G1, and the doe eyes/pastel colours on the critters really sell that.

Scary Sweet Clawdeen to go with the Sweet 1600 line. Hold still ghoulfriend, I just gotta ... *peels off that damn plastic cage off her*. The cakes are REALLY cute though, these are ABSOLUTELY going to be used for any Coffin Bean set any kid/collector has!

[Zapper]

I love the new Fang Club Venus and ordered her
I love the fact she has that simple statement piece because everything else about her is loud. The bodysuit being jeans is also something I love because this way it doesn't look like a swimsuit and at the same time it is a nice callback to her jean jacket from her G1 Signature doll.

I am sure she'll look amazing in I <3 Fashion outfits since she has deeper pink and green accents. I can post in-hand pics once I get her.

Post Merge: January 18, 2025, 06:25:12 AM

Ok, I had to actually take some time to recover from yesterday because I practically ran home after all my work appointments were done to be able to safely order Venus from my home PC and I had so much FOMO, afraid she'd sell out immediatly just to see she is still in the shop today

The past Skullectors are all still sitting in the shop as well, that's a good thing because this way they go on sale occasionally. It looks like they increased quantities, a good way to combat resellers and scalpers.

Frankie has a Make-a-Monster playset coming. It should be a really cool idea, but this is almost a summery of why I don't really like G3; it's too cutesy compared to G1, and the doe eyes/pastel colours on the critters really sell that.

Yeah, I had the same reaction to this. The concept is cool and finally they are giving kids something creative that is tied to the monster aspect. When did we get CAM back in the day? I think it was relatively early in the line.
The G3 pets simply look like LPS and these playset pets in particular are so pastelly they could double for another different toyline.

[Zapper]

More Venus discussions from my favorite place:

Spoiler

https://www.reddit.com/r/MonsterHigh/comments/1i48mzg/has_anyone_done_this_yet/

This topic is full of people saying the new Venus doll is greenwashing, something that is ironic because she was always an eco activist character because she is a PLANT. It's storytelling. Absolutely nothing about fashion dolls is sustainable, plastic is made from oils.
There is a chance every single poster there is still a teenager. That's why I am not pointing my fingers at a single user. I simply wanted to bring the discussion over here.

I personally love the fans who cheered on the RuPaul doll, a man who supports fracking on his own land, but hate on the silly Eco Punk branding of Venus' fantasy fashion. G1 Venus has always had that characterization and she is a fake person, a fictional character who won't do any more damage to the world than all the other fashion dolls out there.

If they really wanted change they'd stop buying dolls and only ever thrift them to keep them away from landfills and in collector's hands. Like the MLP fandom does with the past generations. Also instead of complaining about poly hair they should love it since it bio-degrades much faster than nylon. Also stop buying any form of fast fashion and get their jeans from reputable recycling or upcycling companies.

But they most likely just want to hate on people who bought this doll. Because she has a jeans bodysuit they don't like - that's just my personal opinion. All these people convinced Mattel is greenwashing a fashion doll should stop buying any doll that is made from plastics or resins. Wood,cloth, porcellain are nice alternatives. But those dolls don't have young fandoms on social media. I'm saying this as an environmentally conscious person who refuses to own a car, lives a vegetarian lifystyle without milk products and only buys used leather shoes because pleather is plastic.

But yeah, I bought this Venus and I think the storytelling is really cute and will keep her beautiful box. I like it better than the usual "I am dressing up for a party" stuff. Of course, if they started doing diaries again that would be ideal. Keep the doll's story in the box as a surprise.

[Lady Frostbite]

That ... seems to misunderstand greenwashing entirely! It would be greenwashing if they said she was made of 100% recycled materials or something. The eco-punk aspect is more evident in animated media, it's not too evident in her dolls as she can be taken as a classical plant monster or simply greenery-themed ghoul. A better example of greenwashing is when a car brand (Mazda?) released a car that was 'endorsed' by the Illumination version of The Lorax. The character that is explicitly against the destruction of nature and advocates for it ("I speak for the trees!") as having the 'truffula seal of approval'. That is the most transparent and blatant version of greenwashing. A children's doll special edition that doesn't claim to raise money for the rainforest or be against fossil fuels (where plastics share an origin) is NOT greenwashing.

Without seeing the comments themselves I just blatantly disagree. I wonder how many dolls will be made and who is next in line?

[brightberry]

That Venus caught me off guard with the body suit, but I still think she’s lovely and I like her.  So glad you got her Zapper, I would love to see pictures of her.

I agree that the posters are likely kids who don’t see how silly they’re being.

I recently bought the budget Cleo (day out).  I really love her blue dress and shoes.  The one thing I don’t like is that she’s not exactly poseable with that pencil skirt.  Her legs barely fit next to each other.

The next special G1 remake I would like to see is Rebecca!  I at least want to see what they do with her.  She is one of my favorites.

[Lady Frostbite]

I thought Robecca would be next as she and Venus are essentially part of the same 'wave' but I hesitated as I thought she got a collector's doll a while ago? I might be misremembering but it was maybe SDCC? Maybe she was metallic-painted? (I know Hexicah got a doll which is fantastic so I might be mixed up there)