It's Whatever It Wants to Be: The Monster High Skullector "Ghostbusters" Gozer Doll by Mattel Creations

Monster High Pride isn't over with Spelldon and Valentine! Mattel dropping a pretty darn genderqueer licensed horror character during June simply couldn't be coincidental, and I saw what they were doing! I love my queer dolls, and I love having multiple to celebrate for Pride in one year. I had a lovely time in 2025 with Welcome Committee Frankie and the Witch Weaver. The Weaver was a '24 release in autumn which I selected for last June, but Mattel did have two covert Pride releases last year with Frankie and Elvira v2. I just didn't get Elvira. Shame on me, I know.

But what about Gozer?

An Outfit That'll Pop Your Party Balloons: Monster High G3 "Scary Sweet Birthday" Frankie Stein by Mattel

This was a long time coming. And there's absolutely no excuse.

"Now SERVING" or "Dolls Divided 3/2": The Monster High Skullector "Beetlejuice" Waiting Room Two-Pack, and a Zombini/Viv Revisit!

...so Mattel made a fool out of me. Remember how last year, I did a two-half project about two-half gimmick horror dolls which split apart at the waist, comparing the body designs of brand-new Monster High manananggal Corazón Marikit and classic Living Dead Dolls' unfortunate magician's assistant Viv? Yeah, well, turns out I should have waited a year, I guess, because it turned out Mattel was adapting the bisecting concept to the exact same murdered magician's assistant concept as Viv. It's a real Doofenshmirtz's Nickels situation here. There aren't many dolls in this type, but weird that it happened twice. Poor Viv never got her timing right--first an incomplete solo review in 2024, then a review of her full two-pack set ahead of her ideal MH counterpart! And now I don't know what this post is. I can't very well add a third half to the two I wrote. It's unmathematical. Is this a third in a series or a separate review that happens to be a follow-up to a duology? Yes. 

Warnings for very bloody imagery as pertains to the LDD half of this discussion, and discussion related to, and imagery alluding to, suicide as pertains to Miss Argentina.

In Space, No One Can Hear You Gag: The Monster High Skullector "Alien" Doll by Mattel Creations

This might be the hardest a doll has seized me in a little while...and I hadn't even seen the films or the full reveal when the wind was first taken out of me!

Sitting on Cloud Nine: Monster High G3 Signature Jinafire Long by Mattel

I haven't reviewed every G3 character debut doll, but I've gotten really close. I never went in for the three werecats who play as the Hissfits. I can see myself tracking down an old signature G3 Toralei to cut her hair, though the twins loose for a deal would be trickier. They're another matter--today, we're reducing four debut dolls unchecked to just three by looking at Jinafire. It's a bit of a surprise to myself because the character never did much for me before and I wasn't sure about her G3 doll either.

New Doll, Going [to her] Old School: Monster High G3 Scary Sweet Birthday Cupid Asteria by Mattel

Monster High G3 has had some unexpected picks for secondary characters to bring back in its media.

Pretty in Pink: Barbie Deluxe Style Doll #2 by Mattel

Last year, a new line of Barbie dolls was announced: Deluxe Style!

Woe is She: Monster High x "Wednesday" Wednesday Addams Doll and Paint it Black Fashion Pack by Mattel Creations

It hasn't passed my attention that Netflix's Wednesday has abruptly (and relatively belatedly) gotten a huge marketing and merchandising push, possibly because they realized the show's popularity was juxtaposed against a relatively untapped market, and also they have a second season to hype up. The first season is even on physical media now, which Netflix almost never allows for their originals. Toys and clothing and other branded products are popping up everywhere, and now we have proper Wednesday fashion dolls in lieu of the cheap Chinese no-brand dolls that have been floating around online. And who else would be giving us these dolls than Monster High? It's an ideal match. Both are about spooky schools! Let's see how the doll collaboration turned out.

Al is In Wonderland: Ever After High Alistair Wonderland by Mattel

Lewis Carroll's Alice is an icon, and her having a son in the Ever After High-verse was intriguing. But while there were things I liked...I just didn't see much of the famous character translated over. Still, I like boy dolls and I was motivated to make a masc-Alice restyle of my own. I thought I could do better service to the origin character with the right pieces. 

Embalmed for the Gods: Monster High G3 Refresh Cleo de Nile by Mattel

There were things I liked about signature G3 Cleo, but if you asked me which of the now-two basic dolls of hers feels like Monster High, there's just no contest. 

Back from the Spirit Realm: Monster High G3 Signature Spectra Vondergeist by Mattel

Let's talk about Spectra! Is she a triumph-haunt return or does she deserve to be boooooed?

An Electric Concert Atmosphere: Monster High Monster Fest Frankie Stein by Mattel

 This is kind of a shorter topic this time. I just really liked the doll!

Altogether the VERY Ookiest: The Monster High Skullector "Addams Family" Set By Mattel Creations

I was torn deeply about the Skullector Creature from the Black Lagoon, but I basically forgot all about her once these were revealed. There wasn't a question in my mind: I needed these and I would get them. I haven't found a Skullector release so good or so relevant to my interests since the Bride of Frankenstein dolls.  I immediately shuffled out a space for them in my budget. If I couldn't get these at early-access or standard launch, I didn't even care about going aftermarket. There was just no missing these for me.

Anniversary Reunion, Part 3: Lighting Up the Deep with Kala

 Lastly, my third inaugural doll returns!

Anniversary Reunion, Part 2: Rocking the Dead Carpet with Operetta

 Time for my second doll in the trio that started it all!

Big Big Blizzard: Monster High Boo-riginal Creeproduction Abbey Bominable by Mattel

I hate glitter-encrusted skin. But I really love Abbey Bominable and liked her signature design more and more as time has gone by. So I decided to try. 

She's Got Braaaaiiiins: Monster High Boo-riginal Creeproduction Ghoulia Yelps by Mattel

 The last time I got a Boo-riginal Creeproduction doll with Frankie Stein, it was my first blog review and a momentous acquisiton that reflected the culmination of a personal journey toward re-embracing my doll hobby, reconciling with my teenage years, and sticking with the hobby going forward. This time, with Ghoulia...it was really kind of a whim.

Queens of Hearts: Looking Into Ever After High

Not long ago, a reader asked for more of my thoughts on Ever After High, which I thought was a great idea. I did take a different direction than I had planned, though, owing to the urge to be seasonal this first half of February.

Love Bites: Monster High Howliday Love Draculaura and Clawd Wolf by Mattel Creations

Love it, hate it, or don't care, it is indeed Valentine month! While the holiday doesn't give me much personal substance, I enjoy the aesthetic quite a bit, particularly a more vintage, subversive or dark take on the iconography. So let's get in-theme with the first of a couple of posts I have planned! I don't know if this particular doll set has been super buzzy or well-received, but I was struck the second I saw it.

In the Red Thorns: A G3 Monster High Body Model

I decided not to give up on my plans to make a body-model out of Ghoulia after all. Besides, the entry into G3 original characters was an exciting idea.