Monster High Howliday Haunt #1
Illustrated by: Sonia Liao
Written by: Ben Kahn
IDW Publishing
2024
*Spoilers, maybe a little..
Happy Howlidays, ghouls. Blankets of snow have settled over Monster High, which can only mean that the Howliday Ball is around the coroner. There’s nothing quite like a school dance to scare up some defrightful drama. Spotted: Sparks flying between Frankie Stein and Johnny Spirit, Monster High’s ultimate bad boy. After 3,000 years of detention, the ghost is still stirring up trouble, so what could he want with the darling daughter of our headmaster? Could it be that Frankie’s electric personality has finally melted the bad boy’s ice-cold heart?
Let me start off by admitting something—I walked into Monster High: Howliday Haunt #1 with zero knowledge about this world. All I knew was that it started as a toy line. I wasn’t familiar with the characters, the lore, or even the vibe of Monster High. So why did I pick this up? Because, beyond my love for superheroes, I’ve always been drawn to horror and sci-fi. This seemed like a fun mix of both.
The story kicks off with Monster High covered in snow, gearing up for the Howliday Ball. Of course, no school dance is complete without drama, and here it’s all about Frankie Stein and Johnny Spirit. Johnny, the school’s resident bad boy ghost (3,000 years of detention—that’s some record), seems to have a thing for Frankie, the headmaster’s electric daughter. Is it love? Mischief? Something else entirely? That question kept me hooked.
Now, let’s talk about the art. Sonia Liao crushed it. The linework is so detailed, and the colors complement it perfectly, making every page feel like it’s alive. It’s not just pretty; it adds depth to the story and characters in a way that pulled me in. I didn’t expect to be this impressed, but here I am, newly converted to Monster High—at least the comic side of it.
What I really enjoyed were the interactions between Frankie and Johnny. Their dynamic is full of energy, and it’s the kind of chemistry that makes you want to keep reading. It left me curious about how their story will play out.
Now, I’m wondering—are there movies or a TV series? I think it’s time for me to dive deeper into this world. If this comic is any indication, there’s a lot of fun waiting to be discovered.
If you’re into horror with a bit of quirky charm, or you’ve been a fan of Monster High all along, this comic might be worth checking out.
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