Freaky Fab 13

On January 13, 2012, the first of 2012's three Friday the 13ths, Mattel launched the Freaky Fab 13 website^link. It was an extension of the Monster High website, which focussed on expanding the Monster High expanding and celebrating the 13ths of each month. The website contained a clock that counted down to the minute how much time was left until each next 13th.

On March 13, 2013, the Freaky Fab 13 website became a redirect to the Monster High website, which from then on hosted the Freaky Fab 13 feature.^link Rather than once a month, 2013 saw the updates reduced to once every three months. The 2012 content was included in the new location only as far as it remained relevant. That is, stories and interviews were kept, but announcements for books and TV specials weren't.

2012[]

January[]

January of 2012 kicked off Freaky Fab 13 with an eight-page story that touches on the origins of Monster High and the significance of the number thirteen to the school. The story is illustrated with both static and animated images utilizing the cartoon's Flash art.

The Haunting History of Monster High Learn about the freaktacular founding of this spirited high school

The Monster High intercom system rattled to life with an announcement from Headless Headmistress Bloodgood:

In light of tomorrow's 13-13 school howliday, classes will be dismissed 13 minutes earlier today. Enjoy the rest of your day, as well as your day off tomorrow.

She could hear the cheers echoing from the classrooms and down the halls as she placed her hands on each temple, gently lifting her head from the desk and back on her body. Headmistress Bloodgood's remained on her temples in a vain attempt to rub away a fraction of today's accumulated stress. It was always like this on the eve of a school howliday. Anticipation of an extra day off tended to make even the most well-behaved monster start vacation a few hours early. Today was no exception. She looked down at her list of "visitors":

10 a.m. Heath Burns and Toralei Stripe - Class Disruption

Toralei bet Heath that he couldn't stay on fire while spraying himself with an extinguisher. They both won a day in detention.

11 a.m. Abbey Bominable and Cleo de Nile - Fighting

Cleo demanded that Abbey step away from a sink in the bathroom because it was Cleo's "personal sink" and not for use by commoners. Abbey refused to move and instead froze the sink solid. Words were exchanged at a volume sufficient to be heard in the catacombs.

12 Noon Clawd Wolf, Howleen Wolf and Draculaura - Creepateria Disruption

Howleen was challenged to a hot dog-eating contest by Clawd, with Draculaura as the judge. Clawd and Draculaura were both taken to the school nurse; Clawd due to an upset stomach, Draculaura due to having fainted in disgust at the spectacle of her boyfriend and his youngest sister consuming so many hot dogs. Howleen won 50-40. Clawd is now 0-4 against her.

It was the last entry on the list, however, that proved to be the real head-scratcher.

3 p.m. Ghoulia Yelps - Absent Without Excuse

Ghoulia failed to appear in any of her classes, despite being on campus. At various times, she was seen in the library, the catacombs and the creepateria talking to classmates but ignored every effort to contact her, including a direct call over the school's intercom to apper in the headmistress' office.

Ghoulia didn't even have a discipline folder in which to put a write-up, and as far as the headmistress knew, Ghoulia had never missed a class on accident, let alone on purpose. She allowed herself a sigh and thought about how much easier it was for her colleagues who oversaw schools where the student body consisted of just one monster type. In those schools one had just to be concerned about normal teenage issues without the added complication of those issues spread out over so many different kinds of monsters. She looked at the list again: fire-elemental, were-cat, Yeti, mummy, werewolf, vampire and zombie. It was just a sampling of a much longer list that had all come together under the same roof to learn and interact in ways that were thought impossible before the founding of Monster High.

She could still remember the grave-breaking ceremony for the school and the proclamation read before the first shovel struck earth:

Whereas, through the fickle claw of fate, many well-devoted monsters have been, and daily are moved, and stirred up, to give and bestow, sundry gifts, legacies, lands and revenues for the advancement of all macabre literature, arts and mad sciences in Monster High and to the maintenance of the Headmistress and Faculty, and for all accommodations of buildings, and all other necessary provisions, that may conduce to the education of the Monstrous youth of this country, in knowledge and excellence: on this the thirteenth day of the thirteenth month, these thirteen families do so commit.

It had all happened so long ago that she doubted any of the current students even realized the chance those 13 original families had taken in leaving their traditional monster schools; or how the decision to become headmistress caused her to be shunned by many former colleagues she considered friends. The kindest of them took her aside to explain how a school like Monster High would never work and how it would ruin her career. The unkind just never talked to her again. Those first years weren't easy though, and each 13-13 anniversary brought a needed time of reflection and re-commitment to the ideals of Monster High. Perhaps it was due to the very success of these ideals that the howliday had turned from one of solemnity and remembrance to one of light-hearted celebration.

So tomorrow there would be the traditional 13-13 parties with catacombs cake, the exchanging of number 13-themed gifts and a 13 percent OFF EVERYTHING sale at the maul. No monster even questioned why there was no 13th month anymore or why 13 was considered such a lucky number at Monster High. It just was. Maybe that's why she she hadn't even received a card or a simple "Happy Anniversary Headmistress!" today. She allowed herself to wallow in self-pity for a few more moments and then finally said out loud, "All right Bloodgood, head up. You didn't take this job for the recognition, after all."

She straightened her desk and called for Nightmare, but there was no response from her faithful companion. Usually she was at her side before the headmistress finished calling her name, but not today. She called again. Where was she? "I hope Nightmare hasn't gotten into the creepateria produce cooler again," she thought as she stepped from her office. Down the hall, she saw a familiar figure shuffling into the gym. Ghoulia?

Well at least she would figure out that mystery today. She walked briskly down the hall toward the gym doors. Ghoulia was exceptionally bright but not exactly quick on her feet, and the headmistress knew she could easily catch up to her. When she reached the gym doors and tried opening them, she found, to her dismay, they were locked. Now her irritation turned to anger. She pounded on the doors.

"Ghoulia, open these doors this instant!"

The headmistress heard the locks click on the doors and when she jerked them open with more force than she intended, she found herself facing a gymnasium of filled with students, teachers and parents. A large banner printed with "13-13" and "Happy Anniversary!" stretched across the top of a stage set with 13 chairs each occupied by a student from one of the original families. With her appearance, the whole assembly stood and began chanting.

"Bloodgood, Bloodgood, Bloodgood!"

She quite literally almost lost her head and had to place a steadying hand on it to keep it in place. Ghoulia, Frankie and Lagoona and several more students helped escort her up onto the stage and to a podium set up with a microphone. A chant went up, "Speech-speech-speech!" For perhaps the first time in her unlife, she was completely at a loss for words. So many stories, so many memories-they all rushed forward so quickly that all she could manage was, "Thank you." It was enough for another standing ovation from the crowd. The headmistress didn't quite know what to do next, but Frankie came to the rescue by stepping up to the mic and quieting the crowd.

"We had a scary-hard time keeping you in your office today while we set this up, and we're hoping that all of those who volunteered to provide the distractions to keep you there could maybe... get a pass on detention?"

Headmistress Bloodgood did her best to look serious but couldn't maintain the charade and pronounced all offenders pardoned. Then Ghoulia presented the headmistress with a dragon leather-bound scrapbook filled with paintings, pictures and personal notes starting with the first class at Monster High and continuing through the present one-with plenty of room for additional entries. Clawdeen and Cleo gave her a new pair of riding boots with the number 13 set in rubies; that the two of them had designed the boots together without a fight was a testament to their respect for the headmistress. The original 13 families also gave her a brand-new saddle for Nightmare, emblazoned with the Monster High crest. Then every monster headed to the creepateria to continue the celebration with catacombs cake and punch.

Later that night, as the headmistress fell asleep with the shadows of the day's events creeping through her mind, she reflected on how lucky she was to be celebrating another 13-13 anniversary at Monster High.

February[]

February the 13th saw the announcement of the fourth edition of the 'Signature' line, featuring Jackson Jekyll, Robecca Steam, Venus McFlytrap, and Rochelle Goyle, as well as their pets Crossfade, Captain Penny, Chewlian, and Roux. Of these, the three girls were new faces. Robecca and Venus debuted just a day earlier at Toy Fair 2012, but Rochelle was kept a secret specifically for a reveal on the 13th.

The February 2012 update ties into the August 2012 update, as the latter announced the new book series, Ghoulfriends, which casts Robecca, Rochelle, and Venus as the protagonists.

March[]

In March, the trailer for "Escape from Skull Shores" went up. The TV special would premiere on April 13, 2012, though the March updated noted this to be only true for the USA. Along with the trailer came a flyer promoting Skull Shores as the ideal vacation destiny, laced with thinly veiled warnings Skull Shores may not be the safest place to go to. A full-image version of the flyer was uploaded on Tumblr on the day Ëscape From Skull Shores" aired.

ENJOY THE RUSTIC COMFORTS OF A TROPICAL PARADISE VIRTUALLY UNSCRATCHED BY MONSTER CLAWS!

Are you drowning in a sea of vacation choices; treading water as you try to scare up enough bones to howliday somewhere...special? Then imagine an island, miles from nowhere yet close enough to haunt your every waking moment.

No, it's not just a nightmare--it's Skull Shores!

What? You say you've never heard of a place called Skull Shores? Well, that may be because those who find us like to keep our location to themselves.In fact, most can barely see themselves leaving at all.

Now you may be asking yourself, "Why would that be? If it's so great wouldn't monsters who've been there want to tell every fiend they know?" Only if they are the kind of monster that would go about shouting out the location of a secret gold mine!

By now you are probably thinking, "What makes Skull Shores so special?" Well, a complete list would scarely fit into the pages of this brochure but here is just a partial offering of what you can expect:

STAFF
Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is drawn from the local Tiki population whose only goal is to make your howliday one that you'll never forget, regardless of how long an unlife you have to try.

ACCOMODATIONS
Rustically comfortable beachside huts tucked into lush and gloomy jungle provide the perfect option for monsters that cannot live with, or without the sun.

FOOD
A sumptous variety of tropical indulgences expertly prepared daily are sure to satisfy even the most discriminating of monster palates.

ACTIVITIES
While we find that most of our guests prefer to simply relax in the tranquility of our unhurried surroundings, we understand that adventure is relaxation for many who stay with us. As such, we have a variety of beach and water-based activities from swimming to boating to Kraken watching. We would, however, request that your activities be confined to the grounds of the resort so that we might better be able to serve your every need. Wouldn't do for you to wander off into the jungle where we might not hear your calls for...refreshment.

April[]

On the 13th of April, in preparation of Back and Deader Than Ever, the last book of the Monster High series, which would be released on May 1st, the 13th chapter of Where There's a Wolf, There's a Way was released: "Chapter 13: Occupy Mall Street". This chapter would also be included in Back and Deader Than Ever. The chapter deals with Ghoulia Yelps, Sloman Mortavitch, and Heath Burns trying to organize a protest to get their friends back to Salem before Ghoulia herself would have to leave. The chapter prominently features Ghoulia's scooter, which would be released in Late April, and her special scooter outfit, which would be a "Toys"R"Us" exclusive released in Late June.

"Chapter 13: Occupy Mall Street" was erronously said to be the 13th chapter of The Ghoul Next Door in the update. The actual second 13th chapter was released a few months later by Little, Brown and Company.

May[]

WeStopHate - partnership announcement poster

The Freaky Fab 13 update of May brought along the announcement of the partnership between Monster High and WeStopHate, a movement that strives to end bullying by promoting self-respect. It was founded by Emily-Anne Rigal because of her own experiences with bullying. The Freaky Fab 13 update included a short movie of Rigal introducing her organization, herself, and Grimmily Anne McShmiddlebopper, a Monster High character based on her that would star in a special webisode on July 19th. Included in the update were three pages of simple activities to promote one's own self-respect, which would be featured in June too.

June[]

June was a continuation of May, once more paying attention to the partnership between Monster High and WeStopHate. The three activity pages were featured again and this time formed the main event. The only new element of the June update was that the mirror activity was performed by Garrett Sander, Rebecca Shipman, and Natalie Villegas and the results uploaded.

It is not unimaginable that the somewhat lackluster June entry was a result of the premiere problems plaguing "Friday Night Frights", which was originally to air on July 13, 2012. If a Freaky Fab 13 update was reserved for "Friday Night Frights", it would have been cancelled and another created in little time, which would explain the status of the June entry.

July[]

The July Freaky Fab 13 entry's content was twofold, covering both the announcement of "Ghouls Rule" and the start of San Diego Comic-Con International. An extended trailer for the TV special of over seven minutes was released in preparation for the franchise's first stand-alone DVD release in October. In addition to the trailer, the SDCCI diaries for Scarah Screams and Hoodude Voodoo were uploaded so that even those not attending Comic-Con could get to know the two "new" characters.

August[]

The August update is more or less linked to the February update and follows on the April update. The month's Freaky Fab 13 content was a promotion of the second book series, Ghoulfriends, with the release of the first book, Ghoulfriends Forever, taking place on September 5, 2012. As part of the promotion, an introduction video, an introduction post on the writer, and the first two chapters were uploaded.

The new book series' main stars are Robecca Steam, Venus McFlytrap, and Rochelle Goyle, all three new characters who were introduced during Toy Fair 2012 and through Freaky Fab 13 of February.

September[]

On September 13th, the trailer for the second Monster High video game, Skultimate Roller Maze, was released. Uploaded along with the trailer was a diary entry written by Ghoulia Yelps, detailing her experiences with SKRM and her journey in becoming a referee of the sport.

When I was just a little ghoul my father took me to my first Skultimate Roller Maze match. I do not know if it was the speed of the game or the skill of the skaters or even, dare I say, the unpredictability of how each team reacted to the objects encountered in the maze but I became an instant fan. After the match I got my "We're #1" finger autographed by both teams. I still have it hanging up in my room.

I loved SKRM so much that my father took me back several times that year and he even allowed me to look through his collection of SKRM cards, each of which came in its own protective case, of course, and I memorized the stats and names of all the greatest players...yes, yes the names and stats of the not so great players too. I watched old films of the great teams from the past like the '27 werewolf team that went undefeated and the '56 gargoyle squad that had their wins taken away after it was discovered they were cheating. Eventually I went from being a just fan ghoul to getting certified as an official SKRM referee.

I know that many monsters cannot understand why a ghoul would be so interested in a sport that not many ghouls play but that is the great thing about sports. Any monster can play if they have the ability and want to work hard enough to perfect that ability. Even for those of us who may not be big enough or fast enough – hah- or strong enough we can still enjoy watching the competition. It is part of being myself, being unique and being a monster. Now if you will excuse me I have a match to referee and possibly an autograph or two to collect.

October[]

The Freaky Fab 13 entry of October detailed the designing of the Ghouls Rule dolls with designer Chris March and interviews of the Ghouls Rule characters about their costumes.

As Monster High student bodies prepare for the howliday of all howlidays – Halloween – we thought who better to turn to than costumer extraordinaire Mr. Chris March. A fierce friend and fan of Monster High, the star of Project Runway and Bravo's Mad Fashion recently took to the streets of New York's fashion district to share with Frankie and Draculaura (and all you ghouls) where he gets his freaky- fabulous inspirations. Read on to see what Chris had to say and when it comes time for you to celebrate All Hallow's Eve, don't forget to just Be Yourself. Be Unique. Be a Monster!

MH: What makes YOU freaky fabulous?
CM: The fact that outrageous creativity is my superpower!

MH: What are some great things everyone has lying around the house that can be turned into a quick Halloween costume?
CM: Your Mom's wardrobe! But ask first! You can also use umbrellas (make bat wings, skirts), BIG jewelry, makeup and bed sheets (yes, you can go beyond a toga!).

MH: What makes Halloween such a spooktacular time of year for fashionistas?
CM: Regular fashion rules don't apply...and you can be your own designer.

MH: What are your three must-dos for creating the most freaky- fabulous costume of them all?
CM:

BIG hair!
Plenty of SPARKLE!
Just be OUTRAGEOUS!

MH: What is your go-to "accessory" when designing costumes?
CM: BIG jewelry.

MH: What's more important -- the hair or the shoes?
CM: BIG HAIR, of course. Big hair is powerful. If you're looking at the shoes, you're doing something wrong!

Wanna know what Cleo de Nile, Clawdeen Wolf, Draculaura and Frankie Stein have planned for their Halloween costumes? Keep reading!

MH: As an aspiring fashion designer what do you like about Halloween?
Clawdeen: The candy.

MH: I'm not sure that was the answer our readers were hoping for...
Clawdeen: What? I didn't know this was going to be some kind of quiz-I can't work like this. I am out of here!

MH: Wait! We didn't mean...
Clawdeen: Hah-tricked you. Just practicing my diva routine for one of my Halloween costumes.

MH: Oh my, well you certainly seem to have it down. That whole fang thing was a nice touch.
Clawdeen: You didn't think it was too over the top?

MH: No, no it was quite effective. Let's change the question. Where did you get the inspiration for your costume?
Clawdeen: I wanted something fierce and fast because back in the day werewolves were a lot more nomadic, although still incredibly fashion forward, so I'm going with a body suit accentuated by these clawsome catacomb beast fur sleeves and shoe covers.

MH: Sounds intimidating.
Clawdeen: Of course it is, but you have to admit I make intimidating look good.
MH: Without a doubt.

MH: Thanks for taking the time to answer a few of our questions about Halloween.
Cleo: I am nothing if not graciously approachable.

MH: We've noticed that about you. So can you tell us about what Halloween was like when you were a little ghoul?
Cleo: Certainly. Every Halloween we would dress like commoners and walk among our subjects and participate in their festivities. It was quite a treat for them.

MH: Wow that is really creepy cool. So did they ever recognize you?
Cleo: Of course they recognized me! Even dressed as a commoner I still radiate an unearthly beauty. We also had servants and trumpeters to announce our arrival.

MH: Uh...
Cleo: That's the same expression they greeted us with then too! There really is no substitute for being in the presence of royalty.

MH: Indeed. So will you be doing that again this year?
Cleo: Oh my Ra no! I'll be dressing in my favorite costume ever this year.

MH: That's fangtastic. What are you going as?
Cleo: A princess of course.

MH: Of course...can you describe the inspiration for your costume?
Cleo: The main inspiration is my own royal personage to which everything else is secondary but in order to accentuate it there are spun gold bandages crisscrossed with lapis lazuli encrusted overwraps, black and lapis tulle skirt with the most goregeous gold wedges. It's like I'm a monument to myself!

MH: ...
Cleo: Oh that look just never gets old.

MH: So we've been talking to some of your ghoul friends about their Halloween costumes. Would you be willing to share a little bit about yours?
Draculaura: Totes!

MH: Okay then. Can you start with where the inspiration for your costume comes from?
Draculaura: Sure! It starts with...just a second I have to answer this call.

MH: No problem.
Draculaura: Hi! No, I can't really talk right now. Wait, what? NO WAY! He did not say that to her. Oh my ghoul! What did she say then? That's outrageous! I hope she gave him a piece of her mind. No, not literally-I mean she could if she needed to but...okay then text me back.

MH: Do you need to go?
Draculaura: No I'm good.

MH: That's great-now about your costume.
Draculaura: So it's really a throwback to the old country when we would go to these totes amazing costume balls. My costume is red and black with this creepy cool cape and wings! The ancient vampires sprouted their own wings so my costume has a set too but of course I can't fly with mine.

MH: One more...
Draculaura: Oh...my phone again. Sometimes I feel like no one listens anymore.
MH: Totes.

Frankie: Are you okay?
MH: Yes.

Frankie: Positive?
MH: Well it has been a long day.

Frankie: Oh you poor thing. You probably don't want to hear anything about my Halloween costume then.
MH: No that would be totally clawsome!

Frankie: Okay so first of all I'm taking a page from my mom's book of style and doing some serious hair piling.
MH: Nice!

Frankie: I'm going totally conductive with the rest of the outfit.
MH: Ooh that should be electric.

Frankie: It is! It's all metallic blue, black and silver. I mean it really looks like I'm pulsing with power which considering that I run on electricity is not far from the truth.
MH: How scary cool is that?

Frankie: I know right?
MH: So are you looking forward to Halloween?

Frankie: Oh my ghoul yes! It's going to be voltageous!
MH: Thanks for your time and energy I feel completely recharged.

November[]

November brought in the trailer for "Scaris: City of Frights", which would be released on March 3, 2013. Special attention was paid to the debuts of Skelita Calaveras and Jinafire Long. Additionally, four pages of Scaris: City of Frights-themed tips to spend as well as get through the holidays were released.

December[]

The final month of 2012 was dedicated to the memories, divided into thirteen parts of the year gone by. The thirteen memories were dedicated to:

The thirteenth entry wasn't so much a memory as an announcement of a new section on the Monster High website, which featured a countdown calendar, a resolutions activity, and a promise for a new webisode on the 31st of December.