MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Commercial/Revenge of the Fallen

2009-12-24T21:55:44Z

151.21.123.22:

{{suite}}
{{Nav-rotf}}
{{picsneeded|Screen caps from trailers}}
Like its predecessor, ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' features a large multi-media ad campaign. In addition to theatrical trailers and TV ad spots, several preview segments have been shown online. Advertising for the toy line was also handled in the same manner as for the first film, with the focus being on different play patterns.

===Theatrical trailers===
* '''Teaser trailer''' [http://vimeo.com/3239526]/[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7sSGO8rDbU] (separate IMAX end screen)
Released 17 February 2009. Protoforms hit Paris, Egypt, aircraft carrier. ''From director Michael Bay... and executive producer Steven Spielberg...'' "You don't stop, you don't hide, you run. You hear what I'm saying?!"

* '''Trailer #1''' [http://vimeo.com/4415904]/[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOQ5NUn8zeQ] (IMAX end screens)
Released 4 May 2009. "Bee, I wanna talk to you about the college thing." Aired in front of ''Star Trek'' and ''X-Men Origins: Wolverine''.

* '''Trailer #2''' [http://vimeo.com/5283844]
Released 21 May 2009. Begins with longer version of the "Bee, I wanna talk to you about the college thing." scene. Aired in front of ''Terminator: Salvation'' and ''Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian''.

===TV spots===
Many conveniently gathered into one online spot by Michael Bay himself. Thanks, Michael Bay!

* '''Big Game spot''' [http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/transformers-2/super-bowl-spot]
Air date 1 February 2009 during the Superbowl. Protoforms hit aircraft carrier. Sam backs away. [[William Lennox|Lennox]] points. ''Revenge... Revenge...''

* '''Forms''' [http://vimeo.com/4719348]
Air date 18 May 2009. "It's not over." ''Revenge... takes... many... forms.'' "We got a whole lotta fight comin' our way!"

* '''It's On''' [http://vimeo.com/4719904]
Air date 18 May 2009. "What you're about to see is top secret. Do ''not'' tell my mother." "We detected radioactive signatures all over the world."

* '''Greatest Enemy''' [http://vimeo.com/4719776]
Air date 18 May 2009. ''They have returned... to finish... what they started.'' "''SAAAAM!''" A bizarre bit of background "music" sounds appropriately like a screaming person - alarmingly appropriate as we watch thousands of sailors die aboard a sinking aircraft carrier!

* '''Destiny''' [http://vimeo.com/4936917]
Air date 31 May 2009. "Hey beautiful! Made you a long distance relationship kit." "I'm here for your help, Sam."

* '''Fate''' [http://vimeo.com/4985710]
Air Date 3 June 2009. "Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing." "This isn't my war!" "It soon will be." "DAD!!" "OPTIMUS!!"

* '''Drums''' [http://vimeo.com/5125388]
Air date 12 June 2009. Presumably named for its soundtrack! ''From director Michael Bay...'' "I thought we had peace." ''And Executive Producer Steven Speilberg...'' "I'm here for your help, Sam."

* '''Wanted''' [http://vimeo.com/5125729]
Air date 12 June 2009. "The aircraft carrier ''[[USS Roosevelt]]'' goes down off the East Coast." ''On June 24th...'' "They're here to ''hunt'' you." "What we need is to explore every possible diplomatic solution."

* '''Mystery''' [http://vimeo.com/5125817]
Air date 12 June 2009. "Mikaela, something just happened to me. I'm seeing symbols!" "They want what's in my mind!"

* '''Let's Roll Kids''' [http://vimeo.com/5125665]
Air date 12 June 2009. ''On June 24th...'' "Wow!" ''Get ready...'' "Freaky, right?" ''For the summer's biggest adventure.'' "RUN!"

* '''Stomp''' [http://vimeo.com/5125624]
Air date 12 June 2009. "This isn't my war." "I fear it soon will be." "Time to lay down some whoopass."

* '''Team Kids''' [http://vimeo.com/5125510]
Air date 12 June 2009. "Wow." "I'm here for your help, Sam." ''Only one team... will transform your summer.'' "It's upgrade time!"

* '''Adventure Kids''' [http://vimeo.com/5125471]
Air date 12 June 2009. "I'm seeing symbols. They gotta mean something, like a message, or a map." "Can you read these?" "Read?!" "Noooo, we don't really do much reading."

* '''Save the World''' [http://vimeo.com/5190942]
Air date 16 June 2009. "Hey beautiful!" "So you think you can make it through those East Coast winters without me?" "Oh my god..." "I am seeing symbols in my mind."

* '''Space Moms''' [http://vimeo.com/5191049]
Air date 16 June 2009. "You're the first Witwicky ever to go to college." "Look what I found! It's your little baby booties!" "You're gonna be okay, Mom." "Welcome to Astronomy 101. What do we know about SPACE?!"

* '''Evolved''' [http://vimeo.com/5190871]
Air date 16 June 2009. ''They have returned. They have evolved. On June 24th...'' "I thought we had peace." "We've kept much from you, Sam." Includes an edited version of the Horrible Electronic Scraping Noise from the first ''Transformers'' trailer, whee!

* '''Ancient Power''' [http://vimeo.com/5205852]
Air date 16 June 2009. "What you're about to see is top secret." "The Transformers? They've been here a lonnnnng time." "Freaky, right?"

* '''Everything''' [http://vimeo.com/5205888]
Air date 16 June 2009. ''On June 24...'' ''Everything...'' ''Will change.'' "Don't freak out! Don't freak out!" "Whhrrreshheee?"

* '''Bumblebee''' [http://vimeo.com/5206069]
Air date 16 June 2009. ''You won't believe... what's about to change. On June 24th... get ready for the summer's biggest adventure.'' "RUUUUUUUN!" Features kitchen appliances, [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] combination.

* '''Coming''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd8QcsQw9sM]
Air date 18 June 2009. ''On June 24...'' [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]] transforms, does some fancy skating and then slices [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] in half.

* '''Critical Acclaim''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=654pSxKTRl4]
Air date 24 June 2009. "Astonishing" - Alistar Harkness, ''The Scotsman''; "Thrilling" - Orlando Parfitt, ''IGN Movies (UK)''; "Better than the original" - Shawn Edwards, ''FOX-TV''; "Don't freak out. Don't freak out."

* '''IMAX''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ry3GixhczQ]
Air date 29 June 2009. Modified version of "Forms" with ''Experience it in IMAX.'' replacing "We got a whole lotta fight comin' our way!" and the "Bumblebee!" scene removed. Has a stinger telling viewers ''Visit IMAX.com for showtimes.'' added to the end.

* '''Critical Acclaim #2''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj0gIXmkaBc]
Air date 08 July 2009 (??). "Astonishing" - Alistar Harkness, ''The Scotsman''; "Thrilling" - Orlando Parfitt, ''IGN Movies (UK)''; "A masterpiece" - Todd Gilchrist, ''Cinematical.com'' "#1 Movie in America" Features an entirely different set of scenes compared to "Critical Acclaim". This spot also differs from the first Critical Acclaim by not having the quotes spoken.

* '''Magic''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo2g770jIkk]
Air date unknown. "Watch the magic happen." ''Summer's biggest adventure has arrived.'' "Uh-oh."

* '''Critical Acclaim #3''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0djgksNBnY]
Air date unknown. "Let's roll!" ''Critics are calling Transformers'' "The most fun you'll have...in theaters this summer." - Shawn Edwards, FOX-TV; "Bigger and better than the original." - Mark S. Allen, CBS-TV; "I spent my whole life lookin' for aliens, and you're carrying around one in your purse like a little chihuahua."

* '''Now Playing''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK59HYgTATs]
Air date unknown. "Augh!" "BUMBLEBEE!!" ''Transformers.'' "I cannot live with this psychotic alien in my garage." Ends with a stinger asking viewers to buy the first Transformers movie on DVD and BluRay.

===Promo reels and online clips===
* '''ShoWest online clip'''
Released online 20 April 2009. Lengthy segment of [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] talking to [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] in the garage, followed by previously unseen action sequences, released to MichaelBay.com for only 12 hours.

* '''MTV Music Video Awards clip''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W4eMnCiaUw]
Air date 31 May 2009. Movie clip featuring Sam and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] hiding and running from Decepticons.

* '''Michael Bay Chevy segment''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-De67tpJ84]
Online footage released ?? 2009. Footage of the Autobots in car form driving heroically across the desert and through the woods.

* '''Moviefone clip''' [http://www.moviefone.com/movie/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen/30589/video/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen-clip/26222676001]
Released online 12 June 2009 at Moviefone.com. 1:02 segement of Lennox and [[Robert Epps|Epps]] leading a covert op team into an attack by Devastator.

* '''Your Worst Nightmare''' [http://vimeo.com/5176954]
Released online 15 June 2009 at MichaelBay.com. 1:30 segment of Mikaela on the phone with Sam, and dealing with an [[Wheelie (ROTF)|interloper]] in her workshop.

* '''Paramount UK clip''' [http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=101273016549646&ref=mf]
Released online 19 June 2009 via Paramount UK's Facebook account for the movie. 1:04 segment of Sam accidentally bringing kitchen appliances to life and then hiding from the ensuing chaos.

===TV tie-in commercials===
*'''Burger King'''
** '''Twins/Now''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmV4EuHXy1c] A group of kids stand around a yellow Camaro waiting for "Bumblebee" to transform. [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] drive up, transform, and join the kids in their wait. The group becomes disappointed upon seeing the owner of the car show up. "Aw man." "That ain't no Bumblebee." "That's just some dude's car."
**'''Mayhem Now Playing''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSXS7R53v_U] A man exits from a [[Burger King]] and realizes he has the grand prize winning game piece for the [[Transform Your Way]] contest. The [[King]] transforms from his broiler mode and busts through the wall to present the man with his prize. The man gasps, "Whoa, a million bucks", at the sight of a pallet of cash being dropped at his feet. The restaurant's manager appears, saying "That's about how much it'll take for me to fix this mess. (To the King) This counts as your break, you know that right?". The King hangs his head. ''Let the King transform '''your''' life.''
** '''Game pieces''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x19pJHmjink] Features excerpts from the movie of [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] somersaulting from the Witwickys' garage and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] rising from the depths of the [[Laurentian Abyss]]. Also has a CGI segment featuring the giveaway prizes. ''Autobots or Decepticons? Choose a side in the Transform Your Way game at BK and you can win an all new Chevy Camaro, LG Home Theater system, and other prime prizes, even a million bucks.''
**'''Commercial #4''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epFxeL4i8OU] Two guys sit outside of a Burger King restaurant, on the tailgate of a pick-up truck. Colt scratches off his game piece, revealing a grand prize winner. Inside, the King transforms from broiler to robot and inadvertently scares a nearby worker. Back outside, Colt reveals to his buddy that he's just won a million bucks. "Sure you did Colt." The King busts through the restaurant wall and steps in front of an armored truck, forcing it to stop. The King bangs on the roof of the truck, causing the rear doors to open and a handful of bills to fly out. Colt (dejectedly): "That's not a million dollars." The King gestures as if to say "I've got it" and then lifts up the front end of the truck dumping out the rest of the million dollars plus a security guard. "Whoa, you won a security guard too." ''Let the King change your life. Play "Transform Your Way" '''now''' for a chance to win a million bucks.''

[[Image:Kmart_Dad_Day_Commercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb]]

* '''[[Kmart]]''' "Transform Your Dad": We see the side of a building with a shadow that appears to belong to [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]. The camera zooms out to reveal that shadow is actually that of the Kmart mascot, Mr. Bluelight. He is holding stacks of merchandise in each arm and asks, "Who were you expecting, one of the Transformers?". Ah yes, silly us. The rest of commercial is the announcer explaining the [[Transform Your Dad]] promotion. [http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1177572722497]
[[Image:LG_Versa_ROTF_Commercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb]]

* '''LG Versa''': A man walking with his new phone finds Optimus Prime with his sensors and logic circuits clearly damaged. Or so it would seem, as Prime repeatedly deems the phone/camcorder/gps/laptop a Decepticon. The man chuckles at Optimus' misguided fixation only to have an actual Decepticon crouch down behind him for an attack. This naturally causes the man to flee. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLUnwCJV0IA]

[[Image:M&Ms_ROTF_Commercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb]]
* '''[[M&M's]]''': [[Red]] and [[Yellow]] stand on a platform, overlooking the loading docks for the new Strawberried-Peanut Butter M&M's. Red: "Who's delivering the new Strawberried Peanut Butter M&M's?" Yellow: "Uh, that big truck." Optimus Prime then drives up, transforms, and THROWS A TRAILER THROUGH AN ELECTRICAL POWERLINE! Red responds to Optimus' destruction of property by clapping sarcastically. Way to go Optimus. [http://www.mms.com/us/fungames/tv/videoPlayer/videoplayer.jsp?xmlPath=/us/fungames/tv/videoPlayer/videos/transformers/transformers.xml]

* '''''[[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game]]'''''
**'''New York Comic-Con Trailer''' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/nyc-comic-con-transformers-revenge/45185] Debuted at New York Comic Con 09 on February 6th, 2009. Optimus Prime narrates: "Citizens of Earth. For some time we have lived among you. Hiding in plain sight. Protecting you from a threat we thought extinguished. But we were wrong. I am Optimus Prime and now our war must become yours." Thanks Optimus!
**'''Gameplay Reveal Trailer''' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/gameplay-reveal-transformers-revenge/48998] Online trailer released 07 May 2009. Autobot and Decepticon oriented trailers combined into one without narration. Voice clips of Optimus Prime and [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] play over the end of the first half. ''Unite. Protect. Defend.'' ''Enslave. Punish. Destroy.''
**'''One Shall Stand Trailer''' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/one-shall-transformers-revenge/49732] Online trailer released 27 May 2009. Optimus Prime again narrates: "This stalemate cannot last. One side must win. And yet the battle continues."
**'''Wii Debut Trailer''' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/wii-debut-transformers-revenge/51612] Online trailer released 16 June 2009. ''A game built from the ground up for the Wii.''
**'''Launch Trailer''' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-launch-transformers-revenge/51741] Online trailer released 19 June 2009. Optimus Prime narrates: "The last Great War is upon us."
**'''Multiplayer Trailer''' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/multiplayer-trailer-transformers-revenge/51910] Online trailer released 24 June 2009. No narration. ''Join the war in a multiplayer experience like no other.''
**'''TV Commercial''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SAGpfxisP8] Air date unknown. Optimus Prime: ''Don't. Just. Watch. Fight.''

===Toys===
[[Image:ROTF_Toy_Commercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]

* '''Movie Characters''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtUy2bzakKs]
:''Narration:'' [[Worfimus Prime]], a Peter Cullen soundalike who sounds more like [[Wikipedia:Worf|Worf]] than Optimus Prime.
:''Toy segment:'' The various toys are transformed by offscreen kids playing in yet another large, mostly empty room that resembles a basement or warehouse.
:''Features:'' Optimus Prime, [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Skids and [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]].
:''Notes:'' The commercial features both movie excerpts and original CGI animation of Optimus Prime.
:''It is time to stand with us and prove there is more to YOU than meets the eye!''

* '''[[Power Bots]] and [[Gravity Bot]]s''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF52pbN0A94]
:''Narration:'' Worfimus Prime and [[Dynamic!]]
:''Toy segment:'' Power Bot Megatron destroys a sand pyramid and then lands in front of Bumblebee. Bumblebee demonstrates his cannon arm while Optimus Prime deploys his wings. Optimus takes flight and rams into Megatron. The Gravity Bots then race towards each other on a diorama road, stopping just in the nick of time to avoid a tragic accident.
:''Notes:'' This commercial features the same intro and exit as the previous commercial.
:"I AM MEGATRON!"

[[Image:Bumblebee_RolePlay_Commercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I hate it when I get my Schwartz twisted.]]
* '''Bumblebee Voice Mixer and Plasma Cannon''' [http://www.hasbro.com/monkeybartv/default.cfm?page=Entertainment/Videos/VideoSelect&aid=4144]
:''Narration:'' Worfimus Prime.
:''Toy segment:'' A kid runs around and plays with the toys in a city area with a lot of greenery.
:''Notes:'' Again, the Optimus intro and exit are reused.
:''I, am Optimus Prime and I have sent Bumblebee to protect our human allies and to train them in the Autobot way.''

* '''[[Robot Powered Machines]] Offer''' [http://www.hasbro.com/common/swf/flvPlayer/flvPlayer400.cfm?video=http://www.hasbro.com/common/videos/transformers/en_US/Transformers_DRTV.flv&cid=drtv09-000003]

: ''Narration:'' [[Brian Cummings]].
: ''Toy segment:'' Skids, Bumblebee, Sideswipe and Prime dodge the Devastator Showdown track set's traps and pitfalls.
: ''Notes:'' Advertises a special offer where parents can call or go online to order the track set for $39.99 and get six free R.P.M. cars. Clips of Devastator from the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' movie are featured. A clip of Optimus Prime saying "Well done Autobots." is voiced by a soundalike.
: ''You can call 866-92-TRACK or visit TransformersOffer.com to order the Transformers track set including one R.P.M. car plus three bonus R.P.M.'s all for $39.95 plus shipping and handling. AND as part of this TV offer, you'll get another three R.P.M. cars, FREE! That's six additional cars, a twenty-four dollar value, FREE!''

* '''Supreme [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aICVcqUv-JI]

: ''Narration:'' Worfimus Prime
: ''Toy segment:'' The [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] form Devastator in the desert. A group of Autobots subsequently confront Devastator.
: ''Features:'' Devastator, Knock Out, Dune Runner, Optimus Prime, [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]], Skids, Mudflap, Ironhide and Ratchet
: ''Notes:'' Uses the Optimus intro and exit. [[Dune Runner (ROTF)|Dune Runner]] and [[Knock Out (ROTF)|Knock Out]] are shown being smashed by Devastator.
: ''A crew of six Decepticons with a '''twisted''' form of teamwork.''

===Home Video===

* '''The Optimus Experience''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibvpULsoMOc]
Online promo clip released 15 September 2009. Narration is text only. ''Prepare for augmented reality.'' "I'm seeing symbols." ''An exclusive 3D holographic experience. Activated by special edition DVD and Blu-ray packages.'' "What you're about to see is top secret." ''Solve the puzzle. Optimus Prime needs your help.'' "OPTIMUS!"

* '''Home Video''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew17q8o22rM]
Air date unknown. ''On Tuesday, October 20th'' "This isn't my war." "It soon will be." "OPTIMUS!" ''Own the number one movie of the year. Transformers.''

* '''Home Video 2''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ndNVzVhWUA]
Air date unknown. ''On Tuesday, October 20th'' "I thought we had peace." "I'm here for your help." "This isn't my war." "It soon will be." ''Own the number one movie of the year.'' "You don't hide, you run." ''Transformers.''

* '''Home Video 3''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wchc4Fj9JWY]
Air date unknown. "What you're about to see is top secret. Do not tell my mother." ''On Tuesday, October 20th you can be the first to bring home Transformers.'' "It looks exactly like a truck." "Freaky, right?"

* '''Home Video 4''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg-926xBLk8]
Air date unknown. ''On DVD and Blu-Ray.'' "The first Witwicky ever to go to college." "Look what I found. It's your little baby booties." "You're gonna be okay mom." "Welcome to Astronomy 101. What do we know about space?" ''From director Michael Bay. This Tuesday, bring their world, home to yours.'' "BUMBLEBEE!" ''Transformers.''

* '''Home Video 5''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0TQndAe7Ig]
Air date unknown. "I thought we had peace." "I'm here for your help Sam." "This isn't my war." "It soon will be." "Augh!" "SAM!" ''Own the number one movie of the year. Transformers. A Michael Bay film.''

* '''Home Video 6''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqMxLA3FuRs]
Air date 19 October 2009. The audio track for this spot was used as a radio ad, the ending modified after October 19th. Optimus Prime's narration is voiced by [[Peter Cullen]]. "Citizens of Earth, I am Optimus Prime. I come to you with a message of great importance. For the first time in history, an object of tremendous power is available to all. Many have fought to possess this object." "OPTIMUS!" "And tomorrow, it can be ''yours''." ''Transformers. A Michael Bay film. Own the number one movie of the year.''

* '''Home Video 7''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9lDshWjDn4]
Air date 27 October 2009. This is a modified version of the third home video spot with the narration updated to reference ''Revenge of the Fallen'''s status as the number one release. "What you're about to see is top secret. Do not tell my mother." ''Bring home the number one DVD in America.'' "Looks exactly like a truck." "Freaky right?" ''Transformers. Buy it on DVD and Blu-ray for as low as $14.99''

[[Category:Media]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Waspinator (BW)

2009-12-24T19:31:22Z

151.21.123.22:

{{factions|predacon|vehicon}}
{{disambig2|the ill-destined wasp robot from the Beast Era|the ill-destined wasp robot from ''Transformers Animated''|Wasp}}
:''Waspinator is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] from the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:Waspinatorbw.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Waspinator: chew-toy of fate.]]
'''Waspinator''' is the universe's whipping boy. If something goes wrong, it happens to him. If something blows up, he's usually at the epicenter of the explosion. He has been blasted, burned, shot down, torn up, crushed, slashed, smashed, bashed, and otherwise reduced to his component parts times beyond counting. Disturbingly, [[Rattrap]] has taken to collecting his severed components.

Waspinator's not the brightest 'bot in the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]. Megatron has classified the harebrained Predacon as expendable, much to Waspinator's dismay; he doesn't get much more respect from anyone else, either. His speech quirks don't help: he tends to refer to himself in the third person and to most other people by nicknames like [[Cheetor (BW)|"cat-bot"]] and [[Quickstrike (BW)|"two-head"]]. He's also a bit too fond of the letter "Z". (Those prone to witticisms might say he has a "lizzzzp".)

Waspinator may be dumb, but he's not stupid. He has caught on to his lot in life and tries to avoid his fate as often as possible... but fate always finds him. Thankfully, he's almost supernaturally durable and has survived the most devastating and humiliating of defeats.

{{quote|[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] blow up, Waspinator must salvage. Waspinator blow up, ''nobody'' salvage! Why universe hate Waspinator?|Waspinator laments his lot in life, "[[Deep Metal]]"}}
:''Japanese name:'' '''Waspeeter''' (ワスピーター ''Wasupītā'')<ref>This particular [[romanization]] was first used on a Japanese ''Beast Wars'' [http://www18.tok2.com/home/jackhama/transformers/bwtcard_1/img/015.jpg trading card], and later reappeared in the opening sequence for the Japanese version of the PSX ''[[Beast Wars: Transmetals]]'' fighting game.</ref> 
:''Bulgarian name:'' '''Osinator''' (''Осинатор'') 
:''French-Canadian name (original toy):'' '''Bourdon''' ("Bumblebee") 
:''French-Canadian name (cartoon, Transmetal toy):'', '''Bizznator'''<ref>It is unknown at this time if Waspinator was "Bizznator" in both Quebec and France, or if there were even two separate French dubs of ''Beast Wars'' to begin with. However, it ''is'' definitely known that only Canada got packaging with actual French names on it.</ref> (The french equivalent of "Buzznator")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Hú-fēng''' (胡蜂, "Wasp") / '''Tsāng-yíng''' (蒼蠅, "Fly")
:''Italian name:'' '''Punginator'''
:''Polish name:'' '''Osator'''
:''Spanish name (cartoon):'' '''Avispaneitor''' or '''Avispanator''' (spelling uncertain)
:''Spanish name (toyline):'' '''Avispón''' ("Hornet")

==Fiction==
===First wave toy bios===
The Waspinator is a fearsome warrior of monstrous appearance, striking fear with the eerie sound of his ominous buzzing. He strikes down helpless victims using his secret wing missiles, poisoning them with his cyber-sting.{{storylink|Waspinator (BW)#Toys|Waspinator bio}}
He also likes to gang up on his victims with his partner, [[Buzz Saw]]. {{storylink|Buzz Saw#Toys|Buzz Saw bio}}

{{note|The on-package [[Bio|bios]] of the first wave of Beast Wars toys, predate the development of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon and its backstory. They seem to present the characters as a direct continuation of the previous Autobot/Decepticon conflict, with Optimus Primal actually being a new form of Optimus Prime and Megatron being his Generation 1 counterpart, and their battles taking place on present day, [[human]]-inhabited Earth, rather than in the distant past. Once the cartoon launched, the toyline adjusted itself to match that continuity instead, relegating this one to an aborted [[micro-continuity]].}}
===Cartoon continuity===
====Dawn of Future's Past====
[[Image:Waspinatordawn.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Waspy is mi kopilot, but hoo on Sibertron is mi spelcheker?]]
While [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], his [[Dinobot (BW)|lieutenant]], and [[Scorponok (BW)|another underling]] stole a Maximal relic, the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]], the Predacon who would later name himself Waspinator stole a ship with the help of an accomplice he nicknamed "[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Beakbot]]." The two had a contest to name the ship, but "Waspinator" lost, and thus the stolen ship was dubbed the ''[[Darksyde]]''. "Waspinator" believed ''Buzzerbot'' would have been a better name. For reasons known only to [[Primus]], Megatron agreed.

After escaping [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the ''Darksyde'' was intercepted by the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' and the ''[[Chromia 10]]'', but after an intense space battle, only the ''Darksyde'' and the ''Axalon'' remained. Megatron ordered "Waspinator" to ''excecute'' their planned [[transwarp]] jump, opening up a portal which both ships entered. {{storylink|Dawn of Future's Past}}

====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
''Voice Actor'': [[Scott McNeil]] (English), [[Kensō Katō]] (Japanese), [[Ivo Roberto]] (Portuguese), [[Diego Sabre]] (Italian)

[[Image:Better_Mousetrap_Waspinator.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Wazzzzpinator not want to know "who'zzzz there?"]]
Waspinator, part of Megatron's rogue band of Predacons, landed on an unknown planet with dangerous levels of unstable [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. To protect themselves from the energon, the Predacons took organic beast modes. In Waspinator's case, he now transformed into a large green wasp. The first conflict between the stranded Predacons and their Maximal pursuers came when the Maximal [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] stumbled across Waspinator. In a stark contrast to his later career, he actually proved to be a serious threat and had the advantage over the inexperienced Cheetor. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}}

He was often partnered on flying missions with [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]], starting from early on {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 2)}}, and they were a dangerous duo (and dynamic too); with casual on-job talk and Terrorsaur retrieving Waspinator from rock burial {{storylink|Fallen Comrades}}, they also seemed to be mates.

When [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] had his personality program converted to that of a Predacon, he started surreptitiously taking out the various Predacons. He swung a cargo crate into Waspinator, giving him a concussion. As a result, Waspy flew around in a daze, claiming to be the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] as well as the great [[Ben Yee|Wonko the Sane]]. This dementia was apparently reversed when Cheetor later got annoyed at his yattering and shot him down. {{storylink|Dark Designs (episode)|Dark Designs}}

[[Image:Possession_Waspinator.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Give him an orange parka and call him Kenny.]]
The "ghost" of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] traveled through time and possessed his body (even changing the Predacon sigil on his helmet to a [[Decepticon]] one). It took a major [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] explosion to dislodge Starscream's immortal [[spark]] from Waspinator's body. It also had the after-effect of giving Waspinator a headache in his ''whole'' body. {{storylink|Possession}}

After the [[Vok|mysterious aliens]] detonated the unstable energon on the planet using the [[Planet Buster|artificial second moon]], Waspinator fell into the Restoration pool on the bridge of the ''Darksyde'' as the ship was rocked by the force of the [[transwarp]] wave resultant from the moon's explosion. Bathed in the regenerative fluids, this prevented him from becoming a [[Transmetal]]. He was also the first to realize that this seemingly unknown planet was, in fact, [[Earth]]. [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] had made the same realization and stole into the ''Darksyde'' to retrieve both of Megatron's disks. Waspinator proposed the two work together to steal the disks, and much to his surprise, Dinobot agreed... and threw him into the security shield. Waspinator was crushed into a cube by the disks' security contraption, leaving Dinobot free to steal the disks unharmed, while Waspinator crawled away to the CR chamber using two fingers. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)}}

[[Image:Waspinatorigor.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Igor needs to file his nails.]]
Surprisingly, he managed to easily take down Silverbolt on ''two'' occassions. {{storylink|Changing of the Guard}}{{storylink|Master Blaster}} This, however, would be his sole solace as his glorious missions were reduced from serious hunt/kill actions to being a decoy {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}} {{storylink|Master Blaster}}, picking up bits of other guys (which nobody did for him) {{storylink|Deep Metal}}, and ''pulling levers'' so Megatron didn't have to. {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 2}}. Adding injury to insult, he increasingly became offlined in humiliating ways, such as being swatted {{storylink|Master Blaster}}, jumped up and down on {{storylink|Cutting Edge}}, being beaten up by a small girl {{storylink|Go with the Flow}}, and having a ship crash into him because the driver wasn't paying attention {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}}.

On the plus side, he got to play card games with the lads when off-duty! {{storylink|Changing of the Guard}}

After the destruction of the ''Darksyde'' at [[Tigerhawk]]'s hands, Megatron sent Waspinator, [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]], and [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] on an errand to find a new base, which was really nothing more than pointless busywork while Megatron went to do more important things. As the trio staked out an early [[human]] tribe that had taken up residence in a series of caves, Waspinator decided he'd finally had enough and ripped off his [[Faction symbols|Predacon symbol]], declaring himself out of the Beast Wars.

[[Image:Waspinatorhappyatlast.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Wazzzzpinator happy at last! ...until the [[Beast Machines (cartoon)|next series]].]]
"I said '''no!''' [[Megatron (BW)|Dragon-Bot]] command '''you,''' [[Sub-Commander]] [[Inferno (BW)|Kiss-Butt]]! Dragon-Bot not command Waspinator! Not any more! Waspinator sick of being evil! Sick of being Predacon! And Waspinator especially sick of getting blown to '''scrap''' all the time! Sooo, Waspinator '''quit!''' As of '''now,''' which means [[Inferno (BW)|Ant-Bot]] and [[Quickstrike (BW)|Two-Head]] can just pucker their mandibles and plant [[Kiss|big, wet, juicy one]] right here on Waspinator's big . . . fat . . . stripy . . . "

At this point Waspinator was interrupted by getting blown to scrap by Inferno and Quickstrike. It is also worth mentioning that this is the first (and only) time that he refers to himself as "I". {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}}

His parts recovered by the tribe, Waspinator remained on Earth while all the other surviving Transformers set off for Cybertron, and led the tribe, declaring that he was finally...happy. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}

For a bit, at least.

====''15 Go! Go!''====
The time-traveling [[human]] [[Atari Hitotonari]] and the [[Sparkbot]] [[Star Dust]] witnessed a battle between Waspinator and Optimus Primal. However, the two interlopers could not be seen by either of the warriors.

====''Tales of the Beast Wars''====
[[Antagony]] threatened to blast Waspinator if Megatron did not back down. Waspinator's warranty had expired, but it didn't matter as Antagony accidently wasted her last shot when she sneezed. Do we even need to guess what happened to Waspinator? {{storylink|Visitations}}

Later, to his credit, Waspinator was the only Predacon aside from Megatron to not be paralyzed in fear at the sight of a [[Unicron]]-possessed [[Windrazor (BW)|Windrazor]]. Of course, Waspinator had just been blown up for the umpteen millionth time. None of the Maximals expressed satisfaction. They always got Waspinator. Always. {{storylink|Herald, Covenant, Schism, Paradox|Paradox}}

{{charstubfiction}}

====Transmetal Toy Bio====
Even though the quantum surge has upgraded Waspinator physically, his personality remains the same. He has however found a renewed drive to eliminate the Maximals, accompanied by enhanced speed.
{{storylink|Waspinator (BW)#Toys|Transmetal Waspinator Bio}}
{{note|The on-package [[Bio|bios]] of the Transmetal sub-line presented a micro-continuity where all of the characters receiving a new toy were transmetalized due to the initial quantum surge, instead of a select few.}}

====Transformers Beast Wars: Transmetals Video Game====
{{note|This game takes place in an alternate version of the second season of the [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]] cartoon.}}
[[Image:N64Waspinators.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Neon]] Camo Waspinator and Transmetal [[Buzz Saw]]! In stores now!]]
[[Image:TMWaspinator-Render.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Full Metal Yellowjacket]]
''Voice Actor:'' [[Scott McNeil]] (English), ??? (Japanese)

[[Transmetal]] Waspinator joins his fellow Predacons in distributing various one-on-one beat downs to the Maximals. Eventually he got fed up, quit, and became God to early humanity. He did this after ''kicking everyone's ass''. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transmetals}}

{{Note|Waspinator is only available for game play in the Nintendo 64 version of this game. His model was also used to represent the hidden character [[:Image:N64Starscream.jpg|Starscream]].}}

{{note|Each character possessed an alternate ending, displayed if the N64 version of the game was beaten with said character. Each character has only their own ending listed on their pages, see the other characters' pages for Waspinator's fate in those outcomes.}}
{{-}}

====IDW Beast Wars Comics====
An alternate timeline's Waspinator was possessed by Starscream's immortal spark after the later's defeat at the hand of the Maximals. This time around, Starscream was able to hold possession of Waspinator until the Quantum Surge hit Prehistoric Earth, and was able to influence Waspinator's transmetalisation so that the Predacon's third mode would ressemble Starscream's own original fighter jet mode. The two of them bicker constantly over control of the shared body, their two distinct voices audible to whoever hears them argue. {{storylink|Beast Wars Sourcebook}}

====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
''Main article: [[Thrust (BM)]]''
[[Image:Wazzpinator.jpg|right|thumb|180px|Why [[Vector Sigma#Beast_Era|Oracle]] hate Wazzzzpinator?]]
Waspinator grew bored of being a god to the Protohumans and started flicking rocks at their heads. The Protohumans he had ruled over grew tired of his presence and forced him to leave the planet and return to Cybertron (and his proper time) under his own power (quite how this could be acheived is unclear). There, his spark was removed and used to power the [[Vehicon general]] [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]]. He ''loved'' being a cool biker-bot as he now got respect and was finding [[Blackarachnia (BW)|chicks]] dig the new brooding bad boy schtick!

Influences from his inner spark caused Thrust to save Blackarachnia's life several times, causing her to believe he carried [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]'s spark. {{storylink|Revelations Part I: Discovery}} She later tried to bring his original mind back and discovered, to her disgust, that she'd spent all her effort getting Waspinator back. Poor Waspinator was rather upset to find Blackarachnia no longer wanted to "go steady" with him, and briefly had a punch-up with a revived Silverbolt over her honour. {{storylink|The Catalyst}}

Following Blackarachnia's unambigious rejection of him, Waspinator remained in the "background" and let Thrust run the show, until [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] used an [[Spark extractor|extractor]] to remove Waspinator's spark from the body shell. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. II: When Legends Fall}} After Cybertron's [[technorganic]] reformatting (thanks to Optimus Primal, through the cost of his and Megatron's lives) Waspinator returned in his beast mode with Thrust's head, now the size of a standard wasp. He complained to Rattrap about how much he wanted glory and power and never gets what he wants... at which point Rattrap swatted him away. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future}}

{{note|While the suggestions that Thrust was really Silverbolt turned out to be a red herring, his actions raise the question of ''how'' Waspinator's spark could influence Vehicon programming, seemingly due to having a crush, but her true love Silverbolt's ''didn't''.}}

====''Universe'' comic====
After the reformatting of Cybertron, Waspinator came under the command of [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]]. His tiny size and great speed made him an excellent scout and messenger, and he reported to Galvatron that the invading Quintessons had entered a particular canyon that the Predacons had booby-trapped. He seemed very giddy to have a commander who actually found him useful for once. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

Later, Waspinator was part of a team sent to rescue victims of [[Unicron]] who had been transported to an isolated, icy planetoid. {{storylink|OTFCC 2004 Live-Action Script Reading}}
{{-}}
===''Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle'' Video Game===
Megatron was capable to summon Waspinator forth to the battlefield in his attempts to acquire the super-powerful [[energon crystal]]. {{storylink|Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle}}
{{-}}

===''Legends'' anthology===
{{charstubfiction}}

==Toys==
===Beast Wars===
[[Image:Waspinatorjbwtoy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Japanese version is more [[Playskool]].]]
* '''Waspinator''' (Deluxe, 1996/1997)
** ''Japanese ID number'': '''D-3'''
** ''Accessories'': Launcher, 2 missiles

:Waspinator transforms into a large organic wasp. His stinger separates to become a hand-held spring-loaded missile launcher for his robot mode; the bolts are stored on the underside of his insect-wings. His head is on a vertical column that rotates around a horizontal axle; each end has a different head, one "mutant", one "robot". The "mutant" head was used as the base for his CGI model, and thus the norm for his fictional portrayals. The [[Takara]] version of Waspinator uses slightly brighter, more primary colors than the [[Hasbro]] version.

:This mold was later [[redeco]]ed for a "[[Fox Kids]]" version, as well as [[Beast_Wars_10th_Anniversary|both the Hasbro and Takara 10th anniversary versions]] of the character.

:This mold was also used to make [[Buzz Saw]] and [[retool]]ed into [[Dirge (BWII)#Mutant|Dirgegun]].

{{-}}
[[Image:VS3-CheetorWaspinator.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Catbug is a cat but he's got bugness in his veins.]]
* '''Showdown of the Quickest: Cheetus VS Waspeeter''' (VS pack, 1997)
** ''Japanese ID number:'' '''VS-3'''
** ''Accessories:'' Launcher, 2 missiles

:In Japan, Waspinator was available both separately and in a VS pack with [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Dx1|Cheetor]]. Both toys are identical to their original releases.

:Currently, it is unknown if the latter "show-like" version of the two toys were ever released in the VS set.

{{-}}
[[Image:Waspinator-TMtoy.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Contains a tiny bit of Starscream in every mold.]]
* '''Waspinator''' (Deluxe Transmetal, 1998)
** ''Japanese ID number'': '''D-42'''
** ''Accessories'': Stinger-rifle

:Now an almost completely robotic figure, [[Transmetal]] Waspinator transforms into a robotic wasp. He features a third "jet" mode, flipping and folding his wings into a fighter-jet configuration as well as flipping a cockpit/nosecone between his insect-head mandibles. Though he appears solid black at first glance, he is actually made of very dark transparent-black/green plastic.

:The Takara version of this toy is almost completely identical, except the "WASPINATOR" [[tampograph]] on his wing was replaced with "DESTRON" and the Predacon sigil.

:This mold was later [[redeco]]ed for a "[[Fox Kids]]" version of the character. It was slated for a ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Waspinator (BW)#Universe_.282003.29|version of Waspinator]], but that set was canceled.

{{-}}
* '''Hurricane Showdown: Metals Cheetus VS Metals Waspeeter''' (VS pack, 1999)
** ''Japanese ID number'': '''VS-42'''
** ''Accessories'': Stinger-rifle

:In Japan, Transmetal Waspinator was available both individually and in a two-pack with [[Cheetor (BW)#TM1|Transmetal Cheetor]]. The two-pack version was unchanged from the normal individually-packaged one.

{{-}}
[[Image:Waspinator-FKtoy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Do be a blue bee.]]
* '''Waspinator''' (Deluxe, 1999)
** ''Accessories'': Launcher, 2 missiles

:This toy is a [[redeco]] of the first Waspinator toy. A "[[Fox Kids|FoxKids!]]" sticker on the packaging promoted the cartoon, which was playing on Fox at the time. Like most of the other Fox Kids redecoes, his color scheme was altered significantly, consisting primarily of slate blue and green-gold plastic, with dark blue (barely) translucent parts.

:Hasbro solicitations for this toy gave it the name "Power Flight Waspinator", but this name never made it to final packaging.

:This toy's deco was later used to create the non-toy character [[Buzzbomb]].

{{-}}
[[Image:BW_FoxKidsTransmetal_Waspinator_toy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Why FoxKidzzzz hate Waspinator?]]
* '''Waspinator''' (Deluxe Transmetal, 2000)
** ''Accessories'': Stinger-rifle

:This toy is a [[redeco]] of the Transmetal Waspinator toy. A "Fox Kids!" sticker on the packaging promoted the cartoon, which was playing on Fox at the time. The toy's new deco bears more than a passing resemblance to [[Buzz Saw]].

{{-}}

===Universe (2003)===
[[Image:Waspinator_unreleased.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Wazzpinator... purple?]]

For a brief time, [[Hasbro]]'s official website checklist featured listings for two "Halloween [[Horrorcon (Universe)|Horrorcon]] Value Packs" that were to be Wal-Mart [[Exclusive|exclusives]]... which also likely explains why they were canceled. (Wal-Mart had taken a good half-dozen exclusives and released them more-or-less simultaneously, leading to a huge glut. A lot of other ''Transformers'' exclusives were canceled during the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' era.)

In 2004, several test-shots appeared on eBay in a group, among them the Transmetal Waspinator toy with opaque-salmon wings and lavender insect legs. This, presumably, was to have been the ''Universe'' incarnation of Waspinator, as the other toys in the group line up with the names given for the two Halloween sets. He was to come in a "Vs." two-pack with the presumably-[[Autobot]] character [[Nightprowler]].
{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}

===Beast Wars 10th Anniversary===
[[Image:Waspinatortenthtoy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Finally Waspinator come with pieces that aren't Waspinator's!]]
* '''Waspinator''' (Deluxe, 2006)
** ''Accessories:'' Launcher, 2 missiles, Transmutate's head

:This toy is a slight [[redeco]] of the first Waspinator toy to make it closer to Waspinator's cartoon appearance, replacing the gray with green and adding extra gold [[Paint operation|paint applications]]. He came with the head to [[Transmutate (character)|Transmutate]] plus a DVD with the episode "[[Possession]]".

{{-}}
===Timelines===
[[Image:Waspinator-BC06toy.jpg|right|thumb|300px|This works surprisingly well on many levels.]]
* '''Darksyde Megatron and Darksyde Waspinator''' (Bagged set, 2006)
** ''Accessories'': 2-part rifle

:Available [[Exclusive|exclusively]] at the [[BotCon 2006]] event itself, this two-pack represents Waspinator and Megatron before the events of the ''Beast Wars'' show. "Darksyde Waspinator" is a Basic-sized figure, originally used for ''[[Machine Wars]]'' [[Skywarp (G1)#MW|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)#MW|Thundercracker]], which autotransforms to robot mode from a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Dassault_Rafale|Dassault Rafale fighter jet]]. (One can surmise, however, that it is meant to represent a Cybertronic design in this case.) His rifle splits into two pieces, which store in the backs of his lower legs.

:This mold was also used to make ''[[Beast Wars II (franchise)|Beast Wars II]]'' [[Dirge (BWII)|Dirge]], ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Skyfire (RID)|Skyfire]], and ''[[Robot Masters]]'' [[Wingstun]].

{{-}}
===Beast Wars Telemocha Series===
[[Image:Waspinatortelemocha.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Otherwise known as Dr. Wasp Itor.]]
* '''Waspeeter''' (Deluxe, 2007)
** ''Japanese ID number'': '''TM-04'''
** ''Accessories'': Launcher, 2 missiles

:This toy is a ridiculously-extensively-painted redeco of the first Waspinator toy to make it almost completely [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] to Waspinator's cartoon appearance (forgiving mold issues and [[unpaintable plastic]], of course). Due to a manufacturing error, Waspinator's crotch piece is backwards.

:He came with a DVD of the episode "The Aerial Mountains Explode", the Japanese dub of "[[Power Surge]]".

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
* '''Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game''' (1997)
:Waspinator was one of the 24 beast warriors to receive a battle card representation for the Beast Wars [[Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game|card game]].

[[Image:Robotheroesrhinoxwaspinator.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Do we ''want'' to know what that is gushing out of his butt?]]
===Robot Heroes===
* '''Rhinox vs Waspinator''' (2008)
:Waspinator was released in the second wave of [[Universe (2008 franchise)|''Universe'']] ''[[Robot Heroes]]'' packed with [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] as part of the "Beast Wars Series." An amalgam of toy and television show depictions, Waspinator has articulation at the neck and shoulders. He suspends himself in the air on a strong stream of fluid launching from his butt. (Okay, it's probably supposed to be a compressed air jet or something, but look at it. Eyuw.)
{{--}}

==Trivia==
* Ironically, in the original toyline's continuity (which was created before the animated series), Waspinator was profiled as a cruel, cunning, highly skilled warrior who was greatly feared by the Maximals.
* Ever wonder ''why'' Waspinator became the whipping boy of ''Beast Wars''? Early in the series, his buzzing, drawling method of speaking frustrated story editors [[Larry DiTillio]] and [[Bob Forward]], as they found it was taking up too much time out of the episodes. To get around this, but still meet with the requirement that he appear regularly, they took to blasting him to bits so that he wouldn't ''have'' to talk! Of course, this only wound up endearing him to the writers and the fans, and his frequent brushes with destruction became a running gag done for fun, rather than a script requirement. <ref>[http://www.infinitefrontiers.0catch.com/AutoAssembly/BobForward.htm Auto Assembly interview with Bob Forward]</ref>
* Waspinator uses neither of his original toy's heads but rather a made-up one borrowing a few elements from his toy's mutant head while still being very different.
* Waspinator was originally chosen by [[Hasbro]] to be one of the characters killed off for the second season of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon to help make way for new characters ([[To sell toys|read: product]]). However, Forward and DiTillio convinced them to spare Waspinator on the grounds of his popularity with the online fan-base, so [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] and [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] took the plunge instead.
* Waspinator was originally slated to appear in the very first [[Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|''Beast Wars'' video game]], and even had a character model built. However, he was ultimately unused and only appeared in footage taken from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.
* Waspinator appears to be the inspiration for [[Buzzer-Bot]] from the ''[[Go-Bots (toyline)|Playskool Go-Bots]]'' line, as well as the obvious [[Wasp]] character from ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]''.
* As a side note, Waspinator's original toy contains a high number of [[Ball joint|ball]] and [[Swivel joint|swivel joints]], which more than easily separate. Makes him a little more [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]], after all.
* When Waspinator is hit from behind by a stasis pod ship made by Blackarachnia, a toilet is seen falling from Waspinator's smashed body. Now Waspinator need new waste disposal unit!
* According to Waspinator's profile in ''[[Beast Wars Universe]]'', he likes flying and nectar.
* Waspinator has a yellow [[tongue]] in robot mode.
* While Waspinator ''usually'' refers to other characters by nicknames, he is fairly consistent about calling Megatron and Optimus Primal by their real names. ([[Nemesis Part 1#Quotes|Fairly.]]) He also refers to Inferno by name at least twice, and Tarantulas at least once.
* Waspinator is the only member of the Beast Wars [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] lineup who was there from the beginning and remains alive and unchanged for the entire course of the show.
* Waspinator never once makes a proper landing while in his beast form. However, there are plenty of instances for which he makes ''improper'' landings while in beast form, usually when he's being blasted out of the sky.
* Technically, Waspinator's beast mode is that of a female wasp, given that males do not possess a stinger. He would probably find this objectionable, along with everything else in his life.
* Somebody give this guy a hug.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1996/Predacon/Waspinator/waspinator.htm Waspinator at TFU.info]
* [http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d75/binalternator/unreleased/nightprowler_vs_waspinator/ Gallery of Nightprowler vs. Waspinator test-shots]

[[Category:Beast Machines characters]]
[[Category:Beast Wars characters]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Predacons]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:Universe characters]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Tarantulas (BW)

2009-12-24T19:29:08Z

151.21.123.22:

{{factions|predacon|unicron}}
{{picsneeded|Toys}}

:''Tarantulas is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] from the [[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:Tarantulasbw.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"And fries! Lots of FRIES!"]]
'''Tarantulas''' is the scheming mad scientist of the Predacon crew. The type of mad scientist who experiments on living beings, cackling in his [[Trademark|trademarked]] laugh all the while, and then if things go wrong, happily eats what's left as his midday snack. (Considering his appetite, that must happen a lot.) He was one of the Predacons to join [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] during his theft of the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] and the search for [[Earth]]. In addition to being an utterly psychotic, sadistic sociopath (even by Predacon standards, which is something he appears to wear with pride), Tarantulas has a record for treachery rivaled by few other Transformers. Tarantulas is actually an agent of the [[Tripredacus Council]], which is trying to coax the Beast Wars toward an unspecified goal, where neither Autobot or Decepticon won the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]].

Tarantulas has a particularly notable hatred of the [[Vok]] aliens, a hatred strong enough to make him work to eliminate them by any means.

{{bigquote|Lunatic.|[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] on Tarantulas|[[Spider's Game]]}}

:''Japanese name:'' '''Tarans''' (タランス ''Taransu'')
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Jr-jū''' (蜘蛛, "Spider"), '''Húng Jr-jū''' (紅蜘蛛, "Red Spider")
:''Italian name:'' '''Metal Tarantulas''' (Transmetal)
:''Polish name:'' '''Tarantulator'''

==Fiction==
===First wave toy bios===
Tarantulas is a sneaky, mysterious ninja feared across the galaxy. A master of the martial arts, he's suspected in the disappearances of many [[Human|Earthlings]], and rumors swirl of giant cocoons where he stores his prey.{{storylink|Tarantulas#Toys|Tarantulas bio}}

Later, Tarantulas was guarding the Predacons' jungle-based genetics lab along with Megatron and Waspinator. When the Maximals discovered them, he engaged Razorbeast in combat briefly before Megatron called retreat and destroyed the lab. {{storylink|Optimus Primal vs Megatron!|Optimus Primal vs Megatron!}}

{{note|This comic, along with the on-package [[Bio|bios]] of the first wave of Beast Wars toys, predate the development of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon and its backstory. They seem to present the characters as a direct continuation of the previous Autobot/Decepticon conflict, with Optimus Primal actually being a new form of Optimus Prime and Megatron being his Generation 1 counterpart, and their battles taking place on present day, [[human]]-inhabited Earth, rather than in the distant past. Once the cartoon launched, the toyline adjusted itself to match that continuity instead, relegating this one to an aborted [[micro-continuity]].}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====Theft of the Golden Disk====
Tarantulas decoded the information on the Golden Disk, freshly stolen by Megatron. He thought this was quite hilarious, but then, he thinks that about everything. {{storylink|Theft of the Golden Disk|Theft of the Golden Disk}}

====Dawn of Future's Past====
[[Image:Tarantulasdawn.jpg|right|180px|thumb|See? A Planet X key in the corner of the pic. He's working for Unicron! Get him!]]
As [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] and his rogue band of Predacons escaped [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in their stolen ship, the ''[[Darksyde]]'', Tarantulas was in charge of scanning the disk for a desired set of coordinates. While Megatron was not watching, he was in secret communication with a member of the [[Tripredacus Council]]. (The reflections in his helmet show the silhouette of [[Cicadacon|General Cicadacon]].)

Using the decoded coordinates, the ''Darksyde'' opened a [[transwarp]] portal, which it and the [[Axalon (BW)|''Axalon'']] passed through. {{storylink|Dawn of Future's Past|Dawn of Future's Past}}
{{-}}
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Alec Willows]] (English), [[Yūichi Nagashima]] (Japanese), [[Fabio Vilalonga]] (Portuguese), [[Riccardo Peroni]] (Italian)

Tarantulas was one of the original crew on the ''Darksyde'' when it crashed on prehistoric Earth. As Megatron's technical leader, he manned the scanners to appropriate beast forms based on the most powerful local creatures. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} At first he takes on the role of mad scientist and appears as vacuous as the other Predacons; by the first full month of the Beast Wars, he is established as a cannibal when he attempts to drink an energy-drained Cheetor's mech fluid. {{storylink|The Web}}

Tarantulas caused as many problems for Megatron as he fixed. He always needed a [[Tarantulas's lair|separate hideout]] to plot other, evil schemes, and he managed to stay one step ahead of most of his "allies". The only partner he worked with frequently—though they betrayed each other just as often—was [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]].

When Tarantulas learned of the [[Vok]] and their impending return to Earth, he spent his best efforts to capture a working [[stasis pod]] to craft an escape shuttle. At the hour of the Vok's return, he finally completed one. Megatron had known of his and Blackarachina's plans and threw a wrench in the works—[[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]]. Inferno stomped into the room, interrupted Tarantulas's download of the stasis pod's datatracks, torched him, and was defeated by Blackarachnia. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 2}}

Fortunately for Tarantulas, Blackarachnia picked up his discarded download visor. Tarantulas jumped into her mind, controlling her (presumably from his stasis-locked body). When the [[quantum surge]] knocked out all of the Transformers on Earth, his body was upgraded to a Transmetal form, complete with a motorcycle vehicle mode. He maintained a link to Blackarachnia's mind, but was forced to sever it when she threatened to to commit suicide, which would also off-line him. He also set up a second lair in [[Grid Arakis]], which held a large cache of stable [[energon cube]]s and had been written off by both sides. {{storylink|Tangled Web}}

At some undisclosed point, Tarantulas discovered the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', the flagship of the [[Decepticon]] fleet. Although his longterm goals for the vessel are unknown, he did manage to restore the ship to working status, complete with a Predacon control console and a transwarp cell, meaning that he may have planned to use it to return to Cybertron once he completed his main objective. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}}

When the transwarp explosion finally reached through the time warp and had enough potency to enter Cybertronian space, Tarantulas's true allegiance was revealed: He was a member of the [[Predacon Secret Police]] and an agent of the [[Tripredacus Council]]. The Tripredacus Council was the first alerted of the transwarp explosion and realized it was from where Megatron's ship had gone. Ravage was sent to ally with the Maximals, arrest Megatron, and then betray and destroy them all.

Allied with Ravage and having the use of his stealth ship, the Maximals easily overwhelmed Megatron. Tarantulas knocked out the power to Megatron's ship at that exact moment, allowing an easy capture. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}}

Megatron managed to manipulate Ravage into his servitude using a recording of the original [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] on the Golden Disk and gained his freedom. Tarantulas joined Ravage on his stealth ship for an attack on the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}} However, Tarantulas was blown to pieces by Rattrap through a combination of the rodent's demolition bombs and the explosion of the ship. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}} Tarantulas survived, though, and was quickly put back together by his spider drones. {{storylink|Optimal Situation}}

Megatron, in all his wisdom, forgave Tarantulas's treachery, as it was simply the Predacon way and the spider was too useful to execute, even though Megatron made it very clear that he'd never trusted Tarantulas, even before the scientist did anything treacherous. Tarantulas appeared back in the Predacon camp on a regular basis—though it would later become clear that he was still very busy working on his own agenda, apparently during his numerous unexplained absences. He battled the Maximals alongside Megatron's Transmetal raptors (a harbinger of [[Dinobot II|things to come]]) {{storylink|Cutting Edge}} and helped the other Predacons construct a massive disruptor ray (which ultimately backfired on them). {{storylink|Go with the Flow}} When the Maximals attempted to remove Blackarachnia's shell program, he revealed to Megatron that he had included "certain safeguards" that guaranteed she would not survive, and joined the other Predacons in an attack on the Maximals that was meant to disrupt the attempted shell removal. He fired the missile which knocked the Maximals' power off-line at a crucial instant, seemingly bringing an end to his "treacherous creation". Enraged by the death of his beloved, [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] attempted to kill the scientist, but was thwarted by [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]], who was later defeated by a revived—and [[Transmetal|Transmetalized]]—Blackarachnia. {{storylink|Crossing the Rubicon}}

Tarantulas participated in the Predacons' next attempt to retake the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', but manipulated [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] into throwing Megatron into the nearby lava while he himself set the ''Ark'''s engines to overload. At this point, he claimed to be descended from neither the Autobots nor the Decepticons, which was why he was willing to destroy the core members of both factions then present (in stasis lock) in the ''Ark''. Megatron survived his lava-dunking, gaining a new body in the process. However, he had lost his patience. While he'd tolerated Tarantulas's treachery, he could not tolerate incompetence. Tarantulas survived his punishment and fled back to his lair. {{storylink|Master Blaster}}

[[Image:Tarantulas death.JPG|left|200px|thumb|Oh, yeah, he [[Primeval Dawn Part 1|meant to do this]]. Right. Sure he did.]]
When the [[Vok]] emissary [[Tigerhawk]] arrived on Earth shortly afterwards, Tarantulas managed to disable and capture him. Tarantulas intended to force the all-powerful being into his servitude by drawing the Vok influences out of his body and reprogramming him. The scheme backfired, however, as his energy beam device expelled two actual Vok out of Tigerhawk. The formless spectres attempted to take over Tarantulas' body. Panicking, he opened fire on them—a futile gesture that merely served to spin the energy device around 'til its rays were blasting him and his lab equipment. Overloaded by the beams, Tarantulas exploded, leaving nothing behind but his boots. The remainder of his equipment detonated seconds later, blowing the lair to rubble. Cheetor managed to rescue the inert Tigerhawk, and Tarantulas was presumed dead. {{storylink|Other Victories}}

While searching the ruins of Tarantulas's lair, Megatron offhandedly referred to him as "[[Unicron]]'s spawn". {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}}
{{-}}

====Beast Wars: Transformers Video Game====
{{charstubfiction}}
====Transformers Beast Wars: Transmetals Video Game====
[[Image:N64Tarantulas.jpg|thumb|200px|Blue Crusader Tarantulas? Arboreal Camouflage Tarantulas?]]
{{note|This game takes place in an alternate version of the second season of the [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]] cartoon.}}
:''Voice Actor:'' ??? (English), ??? (Japanese)

Tarantulas found a way to escape prehistoric Earth and return to Cybertron. The Beast Wars progressed in his absence for a time...

Then he came back, newly promoted and with an armada of Transwarp battleships under his command, out to end the Beast Wars and enforce the Tripredacus Council's will... {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transmetals|Beast Wars: Transmetals}}
{{note|Each character possessed an alternate ending, displayed if the N64 version of the game was beaten with said character. Each character has only their own ending listed on their pages, see the other characters' pages for Tarantulas's fate in those outcomes.}}
{{-}}

====Tales of the Beast Wars====
Tarantulas is the inventor of the [[mind-drill]]. [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] "borrowed" it from him to get information out of [[Antagony]]. {{storylink|Herald, Covenant, Schism, Paradox|Herald}}

====''Universe'' comics====
[[Image:Primeval Tarantulas.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Tarantulas doesn't really hate the Vok so much as he wants to kill them and wear their skin as a Vok suit.]]
Following the Beast Wars, Tarantulas's body returned to life, reanimated by the Vok powers he'd previously absorbed. The undead Tarantulas, along with a rebuilt Ravage (as [[Ravage (G1)|Tripredacus Agent]]), nurtured new troops to life through enigmatic means, growing [[Razorclaw (BW)|Razorclaw]] and [[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]] in tubes. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 1}}

The remaining Vok anticipated Tarantulas's plan to destroy the rest of them, take their power, and fashion the timestream to his desires, and so they assembled an army of their own consisting of [[Primal Prime]], [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], and [[Tigatron]]. Tarantulas met this opposition in battle, overwhelmed them, and ripped the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from Primal Prime's chest. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 2}}

Wounded critically, the Maximals withdrew to the ''Ark''. Tarantulas ordered Ravage to take Razorclaw, Iguanus, and their new recruit [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] and assault the ''Ark'' in order to finish them off. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn Part 3}}

{{note|[[3H Productions]] dissolved before this storyline could be completed. Based on the subsequent ''Wreckers'' and ''[[Universe (2003 comic)|Universe]]'' storylines, it can be assumed that the Matrix of Leadership was restored to Optimus Prime's body at the end of this altercation, that the Maximals were triumphant, and that Tarantulas somehow fled to return to Unicron.}}

When the influence of [[Unicron]] swayed [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] to the side of darkness, she was surprised to see Tarantulas (still in his undead body) greet her as she joined the ranks of the [[Minion of Unicron|Minions of Unicron]]. {{storylink|Escape (issue)|Escape}}
{{-}}
===''Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle'' Video Game===
Megatron was capable to summon Tarantulas forth to the battlefield in his attempts to acquire the super-powerful [[energon crystal]]. {{storylink|Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle}}
{{-}}
===''Beast Wars Metals'' comic===
Following the [[Quantum surge]], Tarantulas was upgraded into a [[Transmetal]]. Scheming with [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] within their floating island base, the ''[[Hindenburg]]'', Tarantulas developed a plan to revive the deceased [[Optimus Primal]] as a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] slave. Recovering Primal's mindless, raging body, Tarantulas staged a strange voodoo ceremony (complete with boiling cauldron). As Megatron pricked his finger and prepared to use his mutated blood to turn Primal's rampaging body into his slave, the spark of Optimus Primal returned to it just in the nick of time. As Primal turned into a Transmetal, Tarantulas began to celebrate, convinced that his plan had worked out better than he had thought, unaware of what was really going on. An angry Optimus Primal then proceeded to knock Tarantulas's block off. {{storylink|Raise the Curtain for Beast Wars Metals!!}}

==Toys==
===Beast Wars===
*'''Tarantulas''' (Deluxe, 1996/1997)
** ''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-4'''
**''Accessories'': Launcher, 4 spider-leg missiles

: Part of the first wave of [[Beast Wars (toyline)|''Beast Wars'' product]], Tarantulas transforms into an organic generic spider (''not'' a tarantula). His abdomen contains a spring-loaded missile launcher, which fires the anchor-missile kept in his spider-butt. This missile is attached by a string so he can hang from things like a real spider. The launcher can be removed and used as a robot-mode weapon, using any of his front four spider-legs as missiles. Like all early Deluxe-and-up ''Beast Wars'' toys, he has two different robot-mode "heads"; a robotic face and a "mutant" face. He is almost always depicted using the mutant face.

: There is a variation of this toy in the [[Hasbro]] line: Later releases (the smooth bubble) lack the yellow paint on his elbows.

: The [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] release of Tarantulas was originally identical to the Hasbro release. Later, a slightly color-altered version was released, using a brighter shade of green and a slightly darker gray. The color-altered version also replaced the blue eyes on the "robot" head and the black eyes of the "mutant" head with gold.

: This mold was used to make the first [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] toy.

{{-}}
====VsPack====
[[Image:VS4-DinobotTarantuas.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The classic battle of dino vs spider. We've all heard the tale.]]
*'''Brutal Showdown: Dinobot VS Tarans''' (VS pack, 1997)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''VS-4'''
**''Accessories:'' Launcher, 4 spider-leg missiles

: In Japan, "Tarans" was available both as an individual and in a two-pack with "[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]". Both toys in this set were identical to their individual releases.

: Currently, it is unknown if the latter "more show-like" redeco of Tarantulas was ever released in a VS set.

====Microverse====
[[Image:Tarantulas-Microverse.jpg|right|100px|thumb|I'm not [[Fantastic Four|The Thing]], I swear!]]
*'''Orcanoch''' ([[MicroVerse]], 1997)

: A small, non-transforming micro-figure of Tarantulas came with the [[MicroVerse]] [[Orcanoch]] playset. It was presumably painted based on the original design, as its upper body is copper rather than purple. Its only articulation is at the waist, letting it sit in any of the MicroVerse mini-vehicles or playset stations.

{{-}}

====Transmetals====
[[Image:BWtoy-TarantulasTransmetal.jpg|right|thumb|300px|I'm-a spawn of-a Unicron! I-a slice-a ya pizza!]]
*'''Tarantulas''' (Deluxe Transmetal, 1998)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-44'''
**''Accessories'': Sawblade weapon

: Part of the first assortment of [[Transmetal|Transmetals]], Tarantulas transforms into a robotic spider. He also has a third "transport" mode, flipping down a wheel from his abdomen and a saw-blade from under his beast-head, making a spidey-cycle. The saw detaches for robot mode to become a hand-held weapon.

: The Japanese version is slightly different, replacing the "TARANTULAS" [[tampograph]] with "DESTRON" and the Predacon sigil, plus his robot-mode eyes are painted as a single visor to match the show look better.
{{-}}

====Fox Kids Transmetal====
[[Image:Tarantulas-FKTM.jpg|right|200px|thumb|It's like Eight Legged Freaks, but classier, and with a pizza slicer.]]
*'''Tarantulas''' (Deluxe "Fox Kids" Transmetal, 1999)
**''Accessories'': Sawblade weapon

: A [[redeco]] of the Transmetal Tarantulas toy in grays, silver and black. He and a Transmetal [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]] redeco were part of the little-seen second wave of [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] "[[Fox Kids]]" toys, so called for the advertisements for the Fox channel on the packaging (as the [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]] had moved there from syndication). Internal Hasbro documents have listed this toy as "'''Steel Force Tarantulas'''", a name that did not make it to final packaging.

: These colors were used to depict Tarantulas in the ''[[Primeval Dawn]]'' and [[Universe (2003 comic)|''Universe'' comics]]. With the toy's limited availability, secondary-market pricing for this item due to its fictional use has gone up.

===Beast Wars 10th Anniversary===
*'''Predacon Tarantulus''' (Deluxe, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Launcher, 4 spider-leg missiles

:This toy is a slight [[redeco]] of the original Tarantulas toy, more closely resembling Tarantulas's appearance in the cartoon (save the big Predacon faction sigil tampograph). Part of the second wave of [[Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|''Beast Wars'' 10th Anniversary product]], he came with a DVD of the episode "[[Spider's Game]]", plus the left leg to [[Trans-Mutate]].

==Merchandise==
* '''Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game''' (1997)
:Tarantulas was one of the 24 beast warriors to receive a battle card representation for the Beast Wars [[Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game|card game]].
===Robot Heroes===
[[Image:Robotheroestarantulasprimal.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Don't take your eyes off your mech fluid, Primal.]]
*'''Optimus Primal vs Predacon Tarantulas''' (2008)

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', this PVC figurine of Tarantulas' original body has articulation in the shoulders and neck. He was available only in a "Beast Wars Series" two-pack with [[Optimus Primal/toys|Optimus Primal]] (amusingly enough, the [[Maximal]] he also came with in the ''[[MicroVerse]]'' [[Orcanoch]] playset).

{{-}}

==Notes==
* Tarantulas's origins are a bit complicated. He declares in "[[Other Victories]]" that he and the [[Tripredacus Council]] have origins other than Autobot and Decepticon, such that they would not be affected by the destruction of the ''Ark''. Megatron's line about "Unicron's spawn" was apparently not intended by [[Bob Forward]] to be taken literally; it was to have been a generic insult rather than a statement of fact.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/f06828ec523295c1?dmode=source&output=gplain Larry DiTillio's take on Tarantulas origins! at alt.toys.transformers]</ref> (Forward's own inkling, albeit never realized, was that they might be descended from [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s Cybertronian Empire.) A Unicronian origin also creates potential canonical issues, as Tarantulas says that "under our rule, Cybertron will conquer the universe" ("[[Other Victories]]"), whereas Unicron's goal would have been to eat Cybertron. (Although being creations of Unicron does not necessarily mean they would be loyal to him or forever share his agenda. Not to mention that one of Unicron's near victories, coincidentally, did involve possessing Cybertron... {{storylink|Unicron's Ambition}} You know what, just don't put too much thought into it.) But, much like [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]]'s line about "[[Darksyde|the dark side]]", this line developed a life of its own. Eventually this connection was reasserted in [[3H Productions]]' ''[[Primeval Dawn]]'' storyline.

* In the first season, Tarantulas is characterized more as a cannibalistic, psychotic gourmand who happens to be the Predacons' Science Officer than as the mad scientist and master plotter he becomes from "[[Spider's Game]]" onwards. This is to the extent that his official season one profile makes several mentions of his eating habits, describes his sole interest as being "food", and summarizes his relationship with the other Predacons as simple disdain, as he considers them to all be potential meals.

* In the Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'', Tarantulas retained his trademark cackle, but it was a little ''different''. His voice was very high-pitched and he shrieked almost constantly. His trademark laugh more closely resembled a wicked witch of sorts.

[[Image:TarantulasArm.jpg|right|150px|thumb|He tastes everything he holds.]]
* Early promotional pictures showed the original Tarantulas toy as being transparent orange, but the final toy was a clear deep purple instead. Presumably, this was for a little visual variety in the early line, which already had a largely tan toy ([[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]) and a largely yellow toy ([[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]]) in the Deluxe range, plus a Mega-sized Predacon arachnid then planned to be orange ([[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]]), and [[Tigatron]], who was at one point slated to be a traditional orange tiger.

* The original Tarantulas toy has ''nine'' eyes in beast mode, as does the show model. This makes characters' references to him as "eight-eyes" rather... interesting.

* In the original control art for Tarantulas, the claws are shown in the same configuration as used in the show. In other words, the claws were somehow swapped during the assembly process and have remained as such on every version of the mold thereafter.

* Tarantulas's body in "[[Theft of the Golden Disk]]" is based on [[Ransack (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Ransack]].

*Tarantulas is referred to as simply "Tarantula" in the [[commercial]] advertising his toy.

* Despite being a creepy, ninja-like agent of Unicron who transforms into a motorcycle and likes to betray ''everybody'', he is absolutely not [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]]. Nope! Nosirree.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Predacon/Tarantulas/tarantulas.htm Tarantulas at TFU.info]

[[Category:Beast Wars characters]]
[[Category:Double agents]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Predacons]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]
[[Category:Universe characters]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]