The art of this comic was really pretty and I love how they brought back the iconic outfits from the animated movies I grew up watching! I did think the storyline was interesting and had some cute messages, especially the storyline about Valentine.

However to me this did not feel like a Monster High Story. It didn’t really follow the lore or presets listed relationships from the movies. Seeing the friendship over and different ships felt like I was reading a fan fiction more than a cannon storyline. The mystery of the disappearance was interesting but I feel Ike this should’ve been marketed as a darker mystery take on Monster High rather than a continuation of where the movies left off, as they do reference some of the movie like Boo York.

I also kept getting taken out of the story with the excessive amounts of puns and changing of words to be more monster theme like “maul” for “mall”. This was happening on every page and it just got old and cringey really fast. It was a cute nod to the movie dialogue but when it’s on every page it’s just so distracting.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Short stories set in the Monster High Universe. The monsters were updated and it doesn't seem to follow the books or the web series. It still has the same feel. It was a nice dose of nostalgia.

4 stars

I was in the weird time period where Monster High was progressing to be less popular, but OG dolls were still being sold. The art was fine. The characters relationships weren’t as close as I was expecting (I’ll chalk that up to the previous horrific events). The puns in trying to talk creepily were annoying. Though my complaints the overall plot will be exciting to see through.

A HUGE thank you to netgalley and idwpublishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

💭My Thoughts

Let me start by saying how CUTE this art style is! It did a great job staying true to the original designs. However, I felt the story was a bit all over the place. Two stories in particular felt awkwardly placed in the middle of one larger narrative. However, I do give loads of credit for just how great they handled various mature topics, including:

⚡️LGBTQ Couples
⚡️Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships
⚡️Parents Separating
⚡️Grief
⚡️Crumbling under immense pressure
⚡️Loneliness

While the monster puns were a bit overdone, I did still have a good time with this one. I would recommend it to fans of Monster High! 💜

As a big Monster High fan growing up I was so excited when I spotted this on NetGalley! I love what they’ve done with G3 of MH but am honestly still so thrilled to see content being made for G1- and this was sooo perfect. I thought the art style was gorgeous, and each page was so interesting to look at. I love how the background and side characters were drawn with so much care, it made each page so nostalgic to look and it was so fun to try and spot my faves! 


I really liked that the plot lines were more catered to an older audience- it definitely felt like a graphic novel targeted to the kids who grew up with Monster High, with older themes for a now older audience. I loved Clawdeen and Torelai’s relationship (and that illustration of them was the cutest!) and all the drama and gothic spookiness- it is so good and I am so excited to see what’s brewing for the beasties next! Definitely one I will be recommending.

Thanks so much IDW Entertainment and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A nostalgic journey back into the Monster High universe! There was enough references to the backstory in this volume that you could start here even if you were new to Monster High. Middle grade children will enjoy this read.

Volume 1 of the new Monster High series compiles issues #0-4 of New Scaremester alongside the two stories from last year's pride issue. In it our four main ghouls, Frankie, Draculaura, Clawdeen, and Cleo, are all going through their own tumultuous personal dramas meanwhile the disappearance of several classmates casts an ominous shadow over Monster High.

If you are a fan of Monster High media like the movies, webisodes, and diaries, you'll likely enjoy these comics as well. However, you will have to accept that each medium exists basically in its own canon. There are some crossover plot points and some things remain constant across versions, but the MH canon has never been great at consistency and that is still true here. These comics are based on the Generation 1 version of the characters, yet they blend in some details from other generations. For example, Deuce's snakes talk to him even though that trait wasn't added until Generation 3 and Moanica D'Kay is discussed as a MH Student despite being a Generation 2 character.

Still, this is an entertaining return to the halls of Monster High! I love the Valentine and Spelldon story and the art style is so cute. As a non-love crazy girl myself, I never saw Clawdeen's lack of interest in dating as queer, but I'm not against the gay retconning. I don't know that I would've paired her with Toralei but I guess the cat-dog dynamic was too good to pass up. For the larger New Scaremester story, this volume is mostly set up but I'm excited to see where the mysteries will lead. I'm looking forward to the ghouls being beasties again in the future, although I have to say Cleo leading Meowlody and Purrsephone is kinda iclawnic! Cats and Egyptian royalty do go well together. A few of the students feel out of character. I never envisioned Manny Taur as the voice of reason or a pro-normie advocate and it's a little odd how uninvolved Lagoona is with the rest of the ghouls. But, I love that you can spot so many underrated characters in the backgrounds too, like Batsy Claro and Jane Boolittle.

Monster High
3.5 Stars
I think this was cute… but that’s kind of all. I loved the artwork, there were some really subtle things I noticed in it that I really like, Cleos nose having a curve to it for example. It was also really nice seeing characters who were only ever seen in like one movie in the backgrounds as well. My biggest problem with this graphic novel is also Monster Highs biggest problem. Timelines make no sense, I love that we are getting books and graphic novels that are G1 but I work in a library and have seen books that are G3 as well. I’m not sure who these G1 books are being marketed towards. In addition to this, I have no idea where this book takes place in the timeline in G1.It’s stated that it’s a year after Draculaurs sweet sixteen hundred but that's kind of all. As a long term Monster High lover, who has seen all the movies (even the live action and G2 ones), I shouldn't be this confused. I don’t know if the problem is that I know “to much” but the books biggest flaw is the same identity crisis the company currently has. As for the writing itself… it’s okay. The stories are okay but that's all there is to say really. At times it kind of dragged, especially the end, but at least the art is pretty so I powered through. I think the biggest thing this graphic novel has going for it, other than it being Monster High, is the inclusivity. It was really great seeing queer romance so normalized. Mini side note still kind of confused by the relationship dynamics because some are ones I've never even heard of before… but that's besides the point I suppose. However, those relationships are a big part of why I’d recommend this book, and put it on displays. There are some flaws and some of the “spooky puns” are dead-fully awful, but it’s cute.

Monster High fans get to revisit their favorite characters as new situations hit and friends are discovered again.

Monster High was a favorite several years ago, and it's fun to see the group come out in new form and fun. The illustrations remind very much of the earlier scenes but with a bit more edge to fit the slightly older aged reading group. The characters are no problem to recognize and the colors pop with each moment as the unique attributes remind of the earlier series. It's easy to read and follow the scenes as the moments flow together well and are clearly broken into sections when a new direction hits. It's enjoyable to read.

This is the first in the new series and seems to bring some expectations that the readers already know a bit about the characters. It took a moment to sink in, but there is a section at the end, which highlights the main characters with a little fact sheet for extra fun and information for those, who might need it. The shift between stories and characters was a bit jolty, but in general, the entire thing flows well. It has the high-drama as these characters are known for and loved for with friend problems, romantic interest issues and more. I was missing a little more connection to the characters as some things just pop on by a bit quick, but it's the crew as they've always been.

It will be interesting to see where this goes next because it leaves everything open.

The artwork in this is absolutely perfect! It gave me all of the feels of the animated show and movies, but in graphic novel form, which I so desperately needed. The story was also great, with a few caveats that I’ll come back to in a sec.

I have been wondering why there are no LGBTQIA characters in Monster High for YEARS!! In a (under) world where everyone is accepted, all people have a place to belong. When the live action movies made Frankie nonbinary, I rejoiced, because it felt so right. This is not part of that storyline and that’s okay, because we finally got not one, but TWO queer couplings in this book. 🥳

The only thing that really bothered me is that this felt disjointed because I haven’t read Once Bitten, Twice Dead. It’s a continuation on from a book, which I wish I had known. I have the audiobook for it on hold from Libby, so maybe it’ll make more sense once I’ve read that. But having a graphic novel continue from a book without any explanations felt a little weird.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I requested this because my 7 year old daughter LOVED the two live action movies and had started watching the new show. Since this said it was a Vol 1 I figured it would be a great place to start.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case. I feel like we were missing so much backstory. Clearly we’d need to go back read other comics before this one.

Some of the stories within this also felt disjointed from the main plot. I love the artwork and that there is LGBTQIA+ rep, but the play on words felt excessive and almost made it hard to read at some points.

I may still get it for my daughter when it comes out, but I’ll need to research and see what she should read before this story so that more of it makes sense.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC Copy. This book was a dream come true from my childhood. The short stories of the universe of Monster High are detailed and immersive keeping the reader's attention. Also, the change in some of the relationships between the characters add a more evolved sense to the book itself. This was a great read can't wait for the published version.!

This would be a perfect book for the ages of 7-13. It was really cute to see the drawings but the way they spoke was young at least for an adult to read. But like I said perfect for children which is what this book is for. The conversations and the different storylines and the outfits!

I love the monster High dolls, the character designs are absolutely amazing. So I was excited to read this and learn more about the lore.

While this is the first volume, it does feel like I'm missing a lot. Making one of the students, Draculaura, also head of the schoolboard made no sense.

Having a whole chapter focused on Clawdeen and Torra together only to have them broken up once the main story begins (break up off page) felt awful.

I enjoyed the two pride stories the most, especially the one with Valentine and Spell.

The story feels very... drama for the sake of drama. The girls (ghouls) don't feel like they are friends. It doesn't feel like fighting friends but feels like people who don't care much barely interacting. I feel like the friendship between the main girls was strong in the show, so not feeling any of that here certainly was a choice.

The main mystery is... there. The hints are there but are too stereotypical to really pique my interest. The gossip girl/lady wishtledown type eektock account also feels overdone.

The puns were plentiful but not always consistent. They used fang out mostly, but I've also seen hang out. They were a bit too much for me, I feel like they are a bit too far-fetched sometimes. Like Bitealy, is it Bit or bite? Since it's Italy, bit is the same sound, but the spelling suggests Bite... but bite-aly makes no sense.

As a long-time fan of ‘Monster High’, I was excited to dive into ‘New Scaremester, Vol 1’, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to expectations. While the concept of a fresh take on the series is intriguing, this volume struggles to capture the magic, heart, and charm that made Monster High so beloved.

Plot: ★★☆☆☆
One of the biggest issues with this volume is its lack of clear placement within the Monster High lore. It doesn’t seem to align with any of the existing storylines, whether from the movies, books, or even the reboots. This lack of continuity makes it difficult to fully engage with the story, as it feels disconnected from the world fans know and love.

Character: ★★☆☆☆
The characters feel like watered-down versions of their former selves. Their personalities lack the quirks and depth that made them so iconic in previous iterations of Monster High. Instead of feeling like fresh takes, they come across as generic, missing the unique charm that made fans fall in love with them in the first place.

Setting: ★★☆☆☆
The setting of Monster High is usually a vibrant, spooky, and exciting place full of creativity. However, in this volume, it feels flat and lacks the signature eerie but fun atmosphere that defined previous adaptations. There’s little world-building, making the school feel like just another generic backdrop rather than a lively, monstrous high school filled with supernatural charm.

Illustration: ★★☆☆☆
The art style in ‘New Scaremester’ is another disappointment. While artistic interpretations vary, this version doesn’t capture the stylish, bold, and fashionable aesthetic that Monster High is known for. The character designs feel simplified and lack the gothic-glam essence that made them stand out in previous adaptations.

Engagement: ★★☆☆☆
Without a strong plot or well-developed characters, it’s hard to stay engaged. The story doesn’t have the same level of excitement or drama that made previous Monster High stories so much fun to follow. It feels like a pale imitation rather than a fresh, engaging take.

Readability: ★★☆☆☆
While the writing itself is easy enough to follow, the overall flow of the story feels lacking. The dialogue and narration don’t capture the witty, pun-filled, and personality-driven writing that previous Monster High stories were known for.

Enjoyment: ★★☆☆☆
Overall, ‘New Scaremester, Vol 1’ is a letdown. While I appreciate efforts to bring Monster High to a new audience, this volume lacks the heart, style, and energy that made the franchise so special. Fans looking for nostalgia or a continuation of the world they love might find themselves disappointed.

‘Monster High: New Scaremester, Vol 1’ struggles to find its place within the franchise, failing to capture the charm of its predecessors. With a lacklustre plot, uninspired characters, and an art style that doesn’t do justice to the series’ legacy, this volume feels like a missed opportunity. Fans of Monster High may want to revisit older books or shows instead.

I thought this was a fun new idea for how to use the Monster High characters and stories. I did appreciate having two of the stories from the Pride special reprinted in this volume, since those stories deserve a permanent place in publication.

Thank you NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the ARC!

As a fan of Monster High's gen 1, I found the new take on the main cast's dynamic interesting! The art is very pleasing to the eyes, my personal favorite being the story with Kieran and Spelldon.

The pacing however, could have been better. Once Bitten Twice Dead is pretty much a required reading if you want more details on why Draculaura is being so distant.

Overall, I would recommend this to every MH fan, new and old! I'm looking forward to reading the next volume.

Dare I say this was fangtastic? I love the humor of the Monster High series, and I could read many more comics about these characters. I’m especially interested to see how the mystery that was introduced in this volume plays out in the next installment!

As a long-time MH fan, this just didn’t feel like it fit the stories I grew up with and continue to read. It was confusing at parts because of that ;(. If someone was just getting into MH then I would recommend but not for a long-time fan!! There was also way too many wordplays and puns for my liking compared to the usual amount in Monster High.

fun, silly and cute! i love the art style & seeing all the outfits & i will definitely pick up the next one <3