Monster High getting a less scary reboot this fall.

[thunderbolt]

Mattel also has the DCU girl line, unless that is already feeling the batman V Superman backlash.

[Nostalgiabuff]

that's a shame. It really was a great, unique toy line. My ,little girl loved these from the time she was 5 until about 11 when she started aging out. still has over a hundred of them on display in her room

[Falstaff13]

Cyrano De Ghoulia

I knew Werewolf would have it! Thanks!

[jwyblejr]

Yes, cuter, blander, less scary and more Disney Princessy. Plus dropping characters not deemed cute enough or too scary, like Ghoulia, to fit in with their new Disney Princess aesthetic.

http://www.culturehoney.com/monster-...tors-thoughts/

I'm looking at the old Frankie vs. the new in the article and it's like Mattel is trying to hide her scars.

[Werewolf]

I'm looking at the old Frankie vs. the new in the article and it's like Mattel is trying to hide her scars.

I noticed that too. Her scars are really faint now.

Mattel changed MH from your freaky flaws makes you unique to you have to hide what makes you unique and conform. That and shunning girls people think aren't pretty enough or too scary.

[Werewolf]

I'm seeing pictures and reports of the budget versions of the reboot's "How do your boo?" theme hitting Walmart.

From what I've seen, the quality is terrible.

The articulation has been just about all removed in the lowest $6 level. No elbows, ball shoulders, wrists, knees, etc. Worse, the shoes and tops are molded on. I realize these are the cheapest budget versions but they look worse than the MH bootlegs you see at the dollar stores.

There is a step up $10 budget level that retains the jointed knees of the original dolls but has the same poor level of arm articulation as the other new budget dolls. Cleo's mummy wrappings are now molded into the doll and unpainted and so are Frankie's stitches. At least they retain real shoes and fabric dresses at this level. Very cheap and simple one piece printed dresses, but still actual fabric.

The original $10 budget themes, like High Ghoul Fair, used to include full articulation as well as decent clothes and an accessory.

[PNGwynne]

Hasbro made similar streamlining changes in 12" GI Joes, but at least retained articulation. Max Steel was guilty of it, too--even more so. It's the cheap way out.

I'm disappointed by these core concept changes to MH--many of the characters were cleverly conceived, though some recent ones became strained.

I wanted to collect the male dolls in this line, but it just became too daunting and expensive.

[Werewolf]

Saw the cheapest level budget dolls in person at Walmart today. There's Draculaura and Frankie in assortment. Even at $5 I couldn't bring myself to get them. They just look so bland and poor quality.

[PNGwynne]

I have some empathy with you. I recall shopping for 12" male dolls and seeing the quality and design shortcuts appear for lower price points as the lines "progressed." It can be depressing, but I suppose most kids don't care.

[Werewolf]

It can be depressing, but I suppose most kids don't care.

Collectors new to the line, probably not. But, from what I can tell, the changes seem to be fairly unpopular with a wide range of ages of current MH collectors.

[rche]

Given the huge amount of product MH has generated over the past 6 years, maybe this just marks a good stepping off point for the original collectors?
It certainly draws a big line in the sand for my family. Makes for an easy place marker for the end of an era and allows us to just fill in the gaps in the 'vintage' collection.

Also noting that the super low price point dolls seem to follow the trend of the 12" five point hero dolls marketed to the gents.

[Werewolf]

They are still continuing the full articulation in the $14.99 and up dolls. The reduced articulation is so far just for the budget dolls and playset pack ins.

I don't like that Moanica D'Kay appears to be Ghoulia's replacement in the new continuity. It kinda ticks me off actually. But I will give Mattel at least credit on her clothes design. The quality and detail looks on par to some of the earlier dolls. I don't get how she is less scary the Ghoulia though. Her purse looks like a brain and her jewelry looks like rib cages. I think it just means they didn't want a nerdy girl with glasses in their new "cute" Monster High.

[Werewolf]

Mattel officially revealed Dayna Treasura Jones on their Facebook page. She is supposed to be the daughter of Davy Jones but actually looks like a bizarre mix of SpongeBob Squarepants and a Disney Princess. The other dolls in the Shriek Wrecked set aren't any better. Draculaura looks like she should be singing "On the good ship lollipop." Just ghastly and we didn't really need another sea theme so soon after the slow selling Scarier Reef.

It's a real bummer. Monster fashion dolls was such an awesome idea. MH is kinda my thing. I detest Bratz, have zero interest in all the princess stuff and Barbie hasn't had a cool theme in ages.

[BlackKnight]

We saw the limited articulation dolls last night ... My 6 yr old says " look Daddy , her arm don't bend " ....

[Werewolf]

New reboot clips.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8ir5ElsSYM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo5tvC24k94

The continuity has been changed. The MH school doesn't exist until Draculaura and Frankie decide to build it and travel the world to recruit monsters to attend.

Review samples of the reboot dolls have also been given out to some youtube reviewers. So far Draculaura, Frankie and Moanica.