MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Tow-Line (RID)

2010-06-22T22:11:09Z

87.13.36.89: /* Robots in Disguise cartoon */

{{picsneeded|Original Car Robots Japanese versions of the toy}}
{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the Robots in Disguise Autobot tow-truck|the Energon Autobot van|Tow-Line (Energon)}}
:''Tow-Line is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:RID TowlineWreckerhook biocard.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Stop draggin' my, stop draggin' my, stop draggin' my car around!]]

"'No parking' means 'no parking'!" is '''Tow-Line''''s motto, and it allows for no exceptions. He is so single-mindedly fixated on this apparently senseless purpose that he has been known to tow fire engines away from hydrants, seize children's tricycles, and even impound other Autobots who violate human traffic laws in the course of a mission. Such extreme irrationality, coupled with such total predictability, makes him both a hindrance to his fellow Autobots and an easy target for his enemies.

In battle, he wields his mighty Wrecker Hook!<ref>Bio on the R2 DVDs. [[Chris McFeely]] was having fun that day!</ref>

{{quote|No parking means no parking.|Tow-Line about every second|"[[Tow-Line Goes Haywire]]"}}

:''Japanese name'': '''Wrecker Hook'''

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Lex Lang]] (English), [[Masami Iwasaki]] (Japanese) [[Oreste Baldini]] (Italian)

[[Image:RID Towline botvehicle cartoon.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Heroic mindless fascist]]

One of Tow-Line's first acts on arriving on Earth was to tow [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], much to the latter's disgust. Under [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]]'s supervision, Tow-Line began towing away [[Metro City]]'s illegal parkers. Unfortunately his zealousness extended to towing away tricycles, wedding cars, mailmen named [[Moe]], and so on, leading Prowl to reprimand him.

Tow-Line's work was not lost on the Predacons, who ambushed him and dragged him away to do a bit of reprogramming with a disk. Soon Tow-Line considered the other Autobots as villains and began towing [[X-Brawn]]. After reasoning failed, X-Brawn attempted to use his grappling hook, causing damage to the other Autobot's circuits, and resulting in Tow-Line dumping him down a hole at the power plant.

Side Burn was also captured easily, but while carrying [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]] through the city, Tow-Line was spotted by Prowl and [[Koji Onishi|Koji]]. Intercepted by [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and Prowl, he was soon rescued from the disk's control and apologized profusely for kidnapping his fellow Autobots. Even after learning his lesson, Tow-Line still cheerfully hauled off Prowl for parking illegally. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

Tow-Line aided in a deception, helping to disguise [[Team Bullet Train]] and Optimus Prime as a transforming dragon in order to trick the Predacons into leaving some statues alone. When [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] and Optimus toppled over while operating the robot, Tow-Line was able to pull it back into an upright position using his grappling hook. {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

[[Movor]] briefly tracked Tow-Line from space in an attempt to locate the Autobots' hidden base, but as Tow-Line was spending all of his time towing cars, it wasn't much help. Later Tow-Line and the other Autobots ambushed the Decepticons as they tailed Side Burn. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

[[Image:Maximus Emerges Towlinesideburn.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Tow-Line towed Side Burn to [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]' hiding place, so that the Autobot wouldn't get [[Kelly (RID)|distracted]] on the way. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

He was also called in as part of the contingency plan created for the event that [[Megatron (RID)|Galvatron]] learned of the location of the Autobot base. Assembling with the rest of the Autobots near a lake, he took part in the battle against the combined Decepticon/Predacon forces. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}}

Together with the other Autobots, he shielded Optimus from Galvatron's paralysing beam, allowing the Autobot leader to regroup and form [[Omega Prime]] with [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]. After the final battle was over, Tow-Line towed some more cars just for the fun of it. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Car Robots===
*'''Wrecker Hook''' (Flipchanger, 2000)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-017'''
**''Accessories'': Grill/rifle

: Wrecker Hook is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Machine Wars]]'' tow trucks [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and [[Hubcap (MW)|Hubcap]]. He changes from truck to robot mode with a single-step, spring-loaded transformation activated by lifting his towing hook up, plus he has a (non-firing) blaster weapon stored under his grill.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'' [[Wrecker Hook (RM)|Wrecker Hook]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Towline/towline.htm More information on Tow-Line at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

*'''Super Wrecker Hook''' (Flipchanger, 2000)
**''Accessories'': Grill/rifle

: A limited-edition, clear-orange version of Wrecker Hook in "Super Mode" was made [[Exclusive|exclusively]] for Daiei stores in Japan, free with the purchase of the [[Build Team]] gift set for a limited time.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearWreckerHook/wreckerhook.htm More information on Super Wrecker Hook at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Robots In Disguise===
[[Image:RID Towline toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|"Scooby Dooby Doo. Where are you?"]]
*'''Tow-Line / Skyfire''' (Deluxe, 2001)
**''Accessories'': Grill/rifle

: For the [[Hasbro]] release of the toy, he was available only in a Deluxe-level two-pack with the [[Decepticon]] [[Skyfire (RID)|Skyfire]]. The only difference between the Hasbro and [[Takara]] versions is the size of the Autobot symbols.
{{--}}

==Notes==
*There is speculation among fans that Tow-Line is the same character as amnesiac [[Wrecker Hook (RM)|Wrecker Hook]] in the [[Robot Masters (franchise)|''Robot Masters'' series]], due to them being from the same Japanese continuity family and sharing names and molds. However, there is little to no actual fictional support for this.... Then again, there is little to contradict it, either, as Wrecker Hook's role in the ''Robot Masters'' storyline is minor at best.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise characters]]

Airazor (BW)

2010-06-22T21:50:52Z

87.13.36.89: /* Beast Wars cartoon */

{{factions|maximal}}
{{disambig3|Airazor}}

:''Airazor is a [[Maximal]] from the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. She was previously known as '''Wing Saber''' and sometimes referred to as the '''''Chromia 10'' Pilot'''.''

[[Image:Airazorbwcgi.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Don't tell her to grow a pair, 'cuz she can and she will.]]

Primarily used for recon and surveillance due to her aerial alternate mode, '''Airazor's''' talents are a great asset to the Maximal cause. She's calm and confident, but also adventurous and brave, with a healthy supply of dry humor. Her aerial skill in either mode, incredibly sharp eyesight and steady aim make her a dangerous opponent.

Due to the circumstances of her "birth," she sees [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] as something of a uncle-figure and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] as the sibling she never had. She devotes most of her efforts, however, to taming the wild yet gentle [[Tigatron]]. She shares his love for the beautiful planet on which the Maximals are stranded, and it is on this planet where their destiny will be forever intertwined.

{{bigquote|She stoops to conquer!|Airazor|"[[Call of the Wild]]"}}

:''Japanese name:'' '''Airrazor'''<ref>[http://www18.tok2.com/home/jackhama/transformers/bwtcard_1/img/007.jpg Japanese trading card]</ref>
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Shén Yīng''' (神鷹, "God Hawk"), '''Yīng Nǚ''' (鷹女, "Hawk Woman")
:''French name (Canada):'' '''Aérolame''' ("Aero Blade", original toy), '''Serres D'Acier''' ("Talons of Steel", cartoon and Transmetal)
:''Italian name:'' '''Falcon''' (original toy), '''Falcon Lady''' (cartoon), '''Metal Falcon''' (Transmetal), '''Falco''' (video-pack release)
:''Latin-American name:'' '''Aguila''' ("Eagle")
:''Polish name'': '''Brzytwozora'''
:''Portuguese name'': '''Falcúria'''
:''Spanish name:'' '''Cuchilla''' ("Blade")

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====The Razor's Edge====
Airazor was once a Maximal named Wing Saber. Back on Cybertron, she led a team of unstoppable female Maximals who had awesome special powers like all your favorite Autobots but totally better. With them, she once dressed up like servodroids, and she also fought the original [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but it turned out he was actually [[Flamewar|someone else]] in a big Megatron costume. {{storylink|The Razor's Edge}}
{{charstubfiction}}

====Dawn of Future's Past====
[[Image:Airazorbwdawn.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Tiger, you just hit the jackpot.]]

The Predacons who stole the [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] were pursued by [[Tigatron|Unit 2]], who was granted clearance from [[Maximal Defense Command]] to commandeer transport. The Maximal who would become Airazor was boarding her ship, the ''[[Chromia 10]]'', when Unit 2 approached and demanded use of it. "Airazor" at first refused, but suggested she was open to... persuasion. The call of adventure captured her interest, and instead of handing over the ''Chromia 10'' to Unit 2, she allowed him to hitch a ride, piloting it herself.

The ''Chromia 10'' intercepted the Predacons' ship, the ''[[Darksyde]]'', which was engaged in battle with the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' and guarded by a mysterious third ship. During the ensuing firefight, the ''Chromia 10'' was badly damaged. [[Optimus Primal]] had "Airazor" and Unit 2's [[spark]]s remotely uploaded to blank protoforms in the Axalon's cargo hold, which saved their lives, but severely damaged their core mainframes. {{storylink|Dawn of Future's Past}}

{{note|This story is a [[retcon]], as Airazor was originally treated as a newborn protoform in the ''Beast Wars'' animated series. Instead, here she is revealed to have been a Maximal who existed previously on Cybertron but ended up on the ''Axalon'' in a stasis pod, damaged to the point of not remembering any of her past.}}
{{-}}

====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Pauline Newstone]] (English), [[Tetsuya Iwanaga]] (Japanese), [[Denise Reis]] (Portuguese), [[Rebeca Manriquez]] (Latin American Spanish) [[Caterina Rochira]] (Italian)

[[Image:The Spark Airazor.jpg|right|280px|thumb]]
Her [[stasis pod]] damaged upon crashing to [[Earth]], Airazor was able to come online due to the genius of [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and the bravery of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]. Rhinox deftly operated the stasis pod's controls and Cheetor offered up his own components to repair it. Immediately out of the pod, she outmaneuvered and destroyed [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]]. Her aerial beast mode, at the time, made her the only Maximal other than [[Optimus Primal|Optimus]] who could fly. {{storylink|The Spark}}

[[Image:Airazortigatrontrigger.jpg|left|200px|thumb|And the lady shall ride a tiger.]]

She and Tigatron started to team up more frequently, a prospect Airazor seemed to welcome, but Tigatron preferred to work alone. Their first big adventure together came when a flying island paradise was discovered. The island, however, was covered in booby-traps which were triggered by the use of energy weapons. Airazor rescued Tigatron when he was ambushed by Predacons on the island, but she was damaged badly. {{storylink|The Trigger, Part 1}} Tigatron carried her on his back, refusing to leave her behind, and the pair worked together to avoid and overcome the island's traps. The island was ultimately destroyed, much to the sadness and outrage of Tigatron, and he would have secluded himself from the other Maximals further if not for Airazor's concern. {{storylink|The Trigger, Part 2}}

Soon after, the Predacons beat Tigatron to another stasis pod, reprogramming it and unleashing [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]]. Airazor and Tigatron took turns helping each other, but once again, Tigatron insisted that he work alone. Airazor commented that sometimes you can be too alone. She was right, because after he tracked down [[Tarantulas]] and destroyed the stasis pod, Tigatron got shot up a lot. Nearing death, Tigatron was saved by the arrival of Airazor and Optimus Primal. {{storylink|Spider's Game}}

During a Predacon attack on the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', Airazor saved Optimus from plunging to his doom, but was herself so badly damaged she had to spend several days in the [[CR chamber]]. She emerged to find that the other Maximals had succumbed to their beast instincts through having to stay in beast mode constantly, as a result of the Predacons stealing the ship's [[rectifier coil]]. While Tigatron helped the Maximals, Airazor was able to infiltrate the largely deserted Predacon base and retrieve the rectifier coil. {{storylink|Call of the Wild}}

[[Image:BeforetheStorm Airazor dropping off Rattrap.jpg|thumb|right|240px|If you barf, you're walking home.]]
After the Maximals were expelled from their base by the Predacons, aided by a [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]-possessed [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], Airazor alerted Tigatron to the situation. The pair joined in a ploy to retake their base, which involved an assault on the ''[[Darksyde]]'' under Starscream's leadership. {{storylink|Possession}} Airazor was part of the reinforcements provided when [[Rattrap]] and [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] were trying to find a cure for the [[energon discharge virus]] Rhinox was afflicted with. For some reason she felt the need to pose provocatively by Optimus's leg as the Maximals appeared on the scene. {{storylink|The Low Road}}

After the realization that the aliens who seeded their planet with traps and energon were returning to destroy it, the Maximals and Predacons entered a truce. Optimus Primal used Airazor to try to sneak [[Rattrap]] into the Predacon base to find out what [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] was up to, but Megatron, of course, found them on his scanners and politely asked them to leave. Unbeknownst to Megatron, the ploy was a decoy for Tigatron's infiltration. {{storylink|Before the Storm}}

[[Image:Airazoraftermath.jpg|left|250px|thumb|"I WONDER IF SLEEPING WITH AIRAZOR IS LIKE SLEEPING WITH A BIRD"<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/855daa12c3baf8db?dmode=source "If Arcee flirted......"]</ref> (Ah, net.eternal.questions...)]]
The aliens arrived and a new alien structure was built, trapping Airazor, who was tortured. Optimus Primal forced his way inside, with the help of the Predacons, and traded himself to the aliens for Airazor. Rattrap dragged her from the structure, only for them to find themselves at gunpoint — the truce was over. The pair were able to use the activation of the structure's "termination sequence" to deal with the Predacons, before fleeing with the escaping Optimus. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 1}} As one of the planet's moons was revealed as an [[Planet Buster|alien weapon]], the Maximals retreated to their base. There, Airazor and Rattrap caught [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] working on a stasis pod in the ship's hold, and Optimus was able to use it to destroy the Planet Buster, though at the cost of his own life. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 2}}

[[Image:OtherVists1 Airazor in vines.jpg|thumb|right|280px]]
Airazor and Tigatron escaped [[Transmetal]]ization by the [[quantum surge]]. They attempted to stop Blackarachnia escaping, but were both knocked offline by Megatron. {{storylink|Aftermath}} After repairs, the duo left together to find the rest of the missing stasis pods scattered across the planet. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)}} While on their search, the two Maximals discovered not only a remarkably beautiful valley, but a strange plant. As the two looked into each other's eyes and held hands in quiet celebration, the plant transformed into another [[Vok]] device, and as they clasped hands, declaring their love to exist beyond the throes of death, the two were absorbed and shot into space. Cheetor arrived, but was too late, and loudly protested the loss of two of his best friends. {{storylink|Other Visits (Part 1)}}

Airazor and Tigatron were kept in a form of stasis until near the end of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]], when they were merged together into the powerful being [[Tigerhawk]]. Tigerhawk returned to Earth as the emissary of the Vok to stop the deterioration that the Beast Wars were causing to the timestream, his first act being to destroy the [[Darksyde]], sending the Predacons scrambling. [[Tarantulas]] managed to capture Tigerhawk and removed the Vok's influence from his frame (and absorbed it into himself), letting Airazor and Tigatron's [[Spark|sparks]] inhabit Tigerhawk's body. Tigatron's voice was dominant, but Tigerhawk's personality and mannerisms were an amalgam of Tigatron and Airazor's. {{storylink|Other Victories}}

Shortly afterward, however, Tigerhawk was killed in a standoff with the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' after Megatron retrieved it from the ocean floor. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}

====3H comics====
Somewhere near the end of the first year of the Beast Wars, before the Planet Buster ignited the planet's energon, Airazor, Rhinox, and Cheetor overheard a battle between [[Fractyl]] and [[Packrat]]. Airazor ended up having to rescue Cheetor, who had darted off ahead of them and gotten blasted. After the battle was resolved, she and the other Maximals fled, pretending to be beaten by the timid Fractyl to increase his standing in Megatron's eyes. {{storylink|Ground Zero}}

[[Image:TransmetalAirazor2.jpg|left|150px|thumb|WINGS UP WINGS DOWN WHO GIVES A CRAP]]

After the Beast Wars were over, [[Tarantulas]], presumed destroyed, existed in a new, undead form that was fueled by his new Vok powers. The remaining Vok assembled warriors to end this threat, creating [[Primal Prime]] and giving new [[Transmetal]] bodies to the extant Sparks of Airazor and Tigatron.

After awakening a stranded stasis pod containing [[Ramulus]], opening a second pod triggered an ambush by [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]], [[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]], [[Razorclaw (BW)|Razorclaw]], and a reborn Transmetal 2 [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. Airazor immediately saved Tigatron's life, knocking Spittor aside before Tigatron would have unwittingly come in contact with Spittor's body, covered entirely in [[cyber venom]]. This maneuver left her vulnerable to Ravage's gunfire, which knocked her out of the air.

The battle ended catastrophically, and Ramulus, Airazor, and Tigatron were forced to carry a critically-wounded Primal Prime back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] after Tarantulas ripped the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from his chest. As Airazor and Tigatron conferred with the seemingly absent Vok, Airazor experienced great pains due to her battle wounds. But before she could explain, the Ark was under attack by Ravage and the Predacons. {{storylink|Primeval Dawn}}

{{note|Due to [[3H Productions]] loss of the convention license, "Primeval Dawn" was never completed. It is telling, however, that Airazor was not present in the subsequently-placed "[[Universe (2003 comic)|Wreckers]]" storyline. "[[Wreckers: Finale Part II]]" even has Tigatron awkwardly not answering Rattrap's query as to where Airazor is now. It is unclear for certain what happened to her in the interim, though it is probable that she died.}}
{{-}}

====Beast Wars: Transformers Video Game====
{{note|This game takes place in an alternate version of the first season of the [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]] cartoon.}}
{{Note|Airazor is a playable character in the Maximal mode of this game for rescue missions only.}}
Airazor was absent from the main conflict with both Predacons and the Skriix, instead she flew rescue missions, using her flight capabilities to rescue captured Maximals from the Predacons' prison ships. {{storylink|Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)|Beast Wars: Transformers}}
{{-}}

====Transmetal Toy Bio====
Thanks to her new body, Airazor has become a warrior that inspires absolute fear in the Predacons, thanks to her deadly armor-ripping talons. Her post has been adjusted to sea reconnaissance, in light of her vehicle mode.
{{storylink|Airazor (BW)#Toys|Transmetal Airazor 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.}}
{{note|Airazor is only accessible for game play in the Nintendo 64 version of this game.}}
''Voice Actor:'' ??? (English), ??? (Japanese)

Airazor played a critical role in the Maximals' victory over the Predacons. However, when their enemies had all been taken prisoner, Airazor and Tigatron decided not to join their comrades in their journey to Cybertron. The two sparkmates would reside on prehistoric earth, observing as the planet recovered from the war. They nonetheless sometimes wondered about the other Maximals' fates and whether or not true peace could finally be found between Maximals and Predacons. {{storylink|Transformers 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 Airazor's fate in those outcomes.}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' comic===
[[Image:AirazorBWMetalsManga01.jpg|right|200px|thumb|From chick to guy and back to chick! (You're sure about that, right?)]]

Following the [[Quantum surge]], Airazor, who is a girl, became a [[Transmetal]]. However, she was separated from the rest of the [[Maximal|Maximals]] and was locked outside of their base during [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]]'s counterattack. As she flew in, [[Sentinel (BW)|Sentinel]]'s defenses began to fire at her. [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] attempted to shut Sentinel down, only to be stopped by [[Rattrap]], who warned him that Sentinel was the only thing protecting them from Quickstrike's army of [[Cobra Soldier|Cobra Soldiers]] and [[Scorpion Soldier|Scorpion Soldiers]]. Rhinox brushed him aside and shut Sentinel down, anyway. Airazor, who had been shot by Sentinel, swooped in for a crash-landing. Rattrap, feeling somewhat guilty, dove to soften her landing. Not long after this, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] breached their defenses and took out both Rattrap and Airazor without effort. Rhinox saved her some time and appeared to shoot himself in the head. Feeling her job was done, Blackarachnia left as Quickstrike destroyed their base.

From a small section of the base that had been protected by a forcefield, Airazor aided Rattap and Rhinox in pulling [[Optimus Primal]]'s [[spark]] from [[Transwarp space]]. As Rhinox brought his spark out from oblivion, Rattrap funneled it through a ray device while Airazor positioned a reflective dish. Primal's spark bounced off the dish and connected with his body (which was being held by [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] at his base, the ''[[Hindenburg]]''), resurrecting him as a Transmetal. Airazor, still injured from before, began to plummet to the ground. Primal rescued her, destroyed Megatron's drone army, and carried her off on his flying surfboard. Recovering, Airazor began to wonder where her "[[Tigatron]]-sama" was. {{storylink|Raise the Curtain for Beast Wars Metals!!|Raise the Curtain for Beast Wars Metals!!}}

Later, Airazor's spark became separated from her body, with her body becoming host to a malevolent force. The evil Airazor did battle with Tigatron, who did not want to fight the robot he loved. With no other option, Tigatron gave the evil Airazor one of his katana and knelt down. As the evil Airazor struck him with the sword, the '''real''' Airazor's spark entered Tigatron's body. In cyberspace, the two embraced and vowed never to be apart again. As their sparks merged, they became [[Tigerhawk]].
{{-}}

===''TransTech''===
[[Image:Airazorwhitheredhope.jpg|thumb]]
Airazor, (in her pre-beast era body), is a police-bot within the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] city of [[Axiom Nexus]]. She is good friends with [[Crystal Widow]], and has no tolerance for [[Jackpot|mashers]]. Her own record isn't perfect, but her boss [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] isn't concerned, much.{{storylink|Gone Too Far}} {{storylink|Withered Hope}}
{{charstubfiction}}

==Toys==
===Beast Wars===
[[Image:Airazorbwtoy1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|She should hang out with [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]].]]
* '''Airazor''' (Basic, 1997)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-10'''
**''Accessories'': Blaster

: Part of the first wave of year-two ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' product, Airazor transforms into a somewhat generic falcon (or some other bird of prey) with opening beak. Unlike first-year Basics, Airazor's transformation is entirely manual, rather than spring-loaded. Pulling on the yellow-plastic feathers near her tail activates a spring-loaded wing-movement gimmick. Each wing also has a flip-out blade. Her tail hides both a heat-sensitive "[[rubsign|energon chip]]" and a non-firing blaster that can be hand-held or mounted on the underside of either forearm.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1997/Maximal/Airazor/airazor.htm More information on Airazor at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BasicVid}}
[[Image:BW-toy Airazor-video.jpg|right|thumb|250px|This took forever to photograph because the damn thing's ankles are looser than George Michaels. You're welcome.]]
* '''Airazor''' (Video pack-in, 1997)
**''Accessories'': Blaster

: The original Airazor toy was given a similar but darker [[redeco]], and packaged with a VHS tape containing the episodes "[[Aftermath]]" and "[[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)]]". She retains all of her previous [[gimmick]]ry.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1998/Maximal/Airazor/airazor.htm More information on video Airazor at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BasicVs}}
* '''Aerial Showdown: Airrazor vs Kuwagaigar''' (Basic, 1997)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''VS-10'''
**''Accessories'': Blaster

: For her (his) [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] release, Airazor was available both as an individually-boxed toy, and in an "Aerial Showdown" Vs-pack with [[Insecticon (BW)|Insecticon]]. Both toys were identical to their individual releases.

{{-}}{{anchor|TM1}}
[[Image:Airazorbwtfmtoy1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|First American toy designed to be a girl from the start.]]
* '''Airazor''' (Deluxe Transmetal, 1998/1999)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-45'''

: [[Transmetal]] Airazor transforms into a mechanical falcon, with a third "seaplane" mold with fold-down pontoons. In robot mode, the chromed beast-mode backplate can fold around it for a "shield" mode. Some early releases of the [[Hasbro]] Airazor have much more lavender-hued chrome than the normal blue of later versions.

: The Japanese version of this toy is largely identical, but the yellow plastics were replaced with a bright orange. The "AIRAZOR" [[tampograph]] on its chromed shields was also changed to "CYBERTRON" with the Maximal [[Faction symbols|faction symbol]].

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Airazor (Armada)|Airazor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1998/Maximal/TMAirazor/tmairazor.htm More information on Transmetal Airazor at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|MetalsVs}}
*'''Heatwave Showdown: Airazor vs Quickstrike''' (VS set, 1999)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''VS-45'''

: In Japan, ''Metals'' Airazor was available both as an individual and in a "VS" pack with [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]]. Both toys are identical to their individual releases.

{{-}}{{anchor|TMFK}}
* '''Airazor''' (Deluxe Transmetal, 2000)

: One of the final releases of the normal ''Beast Wars'' line, Airazor's Transmetal toy was given a tweaked deco and released as part of the so-called "[[Fox Kids]]" assortment of Deluxe Transmetal redecos. This redeco was not as drastic a change from the original as the others in the series, mostly making her a little darker and more desaturated.

: This version of Airazor was made available in Japan as a [[JafCon]] convention [[exclusive]] along with the "Fox Kids" versions of Transmetal [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] and [[Rattrap]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/FKTMAirazor/airazor.htm More information on Fox Kids! Transmetal Airazor at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Timelines===
{{anchor|Club07}}
[[Image:Airazortimelinestoy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|I am a symptom of the retroactive ruination of Beast Wars.]]
*'''''Chromia 10'' Pilot (Airazor)''' (Club exclusive, 2007)
**''Accessories'': Missile

: The second members-only exclusive to [[Fun Publications]]' [[Transformers Collectors' Club]], Airazor is a redeco of ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Slugslinger (Energon)|Slugslinger]] with a [[retool]]ed head, transforming into a Cybertronic twin-cockpit jet. Her jet mode has an under-slung spring-loaded missile launcher (which flips over her shoulder in robot mode), plus she also has flip-out (non-firing) blasters as well.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Maximal/Airazor/airazor.htm More information on the ''Chromia 10'' pilot at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
==Merchandise==
* '''Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game''' (1997)
:Airazor 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]].
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:AirazorJapan1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Transman.]]

* Airazor's gender in the [[Hasbro]] line is due to ''Beast Wars'' story editors [[Bob Forward]] and [[Larry DiTillio]]'s insistence. The original Airazor toy wasn't developed with a specific gender in mind, and Bob & Larry wanted a larger female presence in the show, and the Airazor toy seemed as good a choice as any. They requested the change early enough that the toy's packaging bio could have its pronouns changed to female (thank god). The later Transmetal version of Airazor was the first American-released Transformer mold created to represent a female character.

* In the Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'', Airazor was turned into a boy as a means to (hopefully) increase toy-sales. For the TV series, his relationship with Tigatron was played off somewhat differently to avoid complaints of homosexuality. Tigatron was presented as a samurai retainer with protective feelings towards his young ward; their closeness addressed in a "brotherly" sort of way. Despite that, there was still enough innuendo left-over for the gender-bending to become unsettling. The Japanese script's near-relentless "jokey" tone didn't help. And there was simply no way for the dub team to get past the sequence in "Other Visits (Part 1)" when Airazor and Tigatron stare into each others' eyes while holding hands and slowly leaning in for a kiss, so in that instance the dub team had male Airazor fully "come out" and begin to express his affection for Tigatron just before the two of them were abducted by the Vok. Japanese magazine editors, responding to letters from confused young fans, gently explained that "some people are just like that".

* In the case of the [[Beast Wars Metals (manga)|''Beast Wars Metals'' manga]], however, Airazor's female gender was retained, as was her romantic relationship with Tigatron. This was due to the fact that Airazor's [[Transmetal]] toy had an indisputably feminine build. Though her gender was restored, her ''personality'' underwent an overhaul, no longer resembling her tough, tomboy-ish Western characterization. Since Japanese entertainment does not cotton to strong female characters in ''Transformers'' (these are the people who turned [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] into a secretary), Airazor was reduced to a helpless damsel in distress with a subservient and single-minded devotion to her "Tigatron-sama". Commence puke.

* Somewhat inexplicably, a number of the Italian toyline-specific names for various ''Beast Wars'' characters were '''only''' printed on the cardback for the Italian "video-pack" release of Airazor; the names do not even appear on the cardback for "video-pack" [[Razorclaw (BW)|Razorclaw]], who was presumably released in proximity to her, if not at the same time. The Italian names only printed on "video-pack" Airazor were: '''Insector''' ([[Powerpinch]]), '''Rapax''' ([[Lazorbeak]]), '''Vortex''' ([[Drill Bit (BW)|Drill Bit]]), '''Anfibius''' ([[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]]), '''Diablo''' ([[Snarl (BW)|Snarl]]), '''Cannibal''' ([[Manterror]]), '''Tenax''' ([[Retrax]]), '''Dingo''' ([[K-9]]), and '''Bison''' ([[Bonecrusher (BW)|Bonecrusher]]).

* ''Transmetal'' Airazor is likely the first Transformer toy designed to intentionally represent a [[Female Transformer|female character]].

* The name of Airazor's ship in ''[[Dawn of Future's Past]]'', the ''[[Chromia 10]]'', is a reference to her original toy's Japanese ID number, and not to being "case fresh"... as is obvious from her dialogue.

* The ''Dawn of Future's Past'' Club [[exclusive]] toy is only ''sorta'' technically the '''second''' Club exclusive toy. She was actually shipped at the same time as [[Astrotrain (Timelines)|Astrotrain]], but he was the first toy ''advertised''.

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.seibertron.com/toys/gallery.php?id=685&size=0&start=0 Airazor - Beast Wars Transformers - Toy Gallery]

[[Category:Beast Wars characters]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Fan Club exclusives]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Gender-switch characters]]
[[Category:Maximals]]
[[Category:Pilots]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance specialists]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:TransTech characters]]

Blackarachnia (BW)

2010-06-22T21:32:51Z

87.13.36.89: /* Beast Machines cartoon */

{{factions|predacon|maximal|maximalbm|unicron|decepticon|ttautobot}}
{{disambig3|Blackarachnia}}

:''Blackarachnia is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] who changes allegiances with alarming frequency from the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Blackarachniabw.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Hot, poisonous, and deadly. Rawr!]]
A sultry femme fatale, '''Blackarachnia''' is smart, sexy, and dangerous. She's got eight legs, and she knows how to use them. Of the several rebellious Predacons under [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s command, she's one of the very few who can, on occasion, outguile him. Always looking out for Number One, Blackarachnia values her independence and freedom above all else. She would rather be deactivated than be a slave.

Blackarachnia's greatest weakness, other than her overconfidence, is her feelings for the Maximal [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]. Something about his heroic demeanor and the kindness he shows her makes her uneasy. She hasn't experienced unconditional love before, and it scares her, though she'll never admit it.

{{quote|Even when I'm good, I'm still bad.|Blackarachnia|"[[Crossing the Rubicon]]"}}

:''Japanese name:'' '''Blackwidow'''
:''French-Canadian name (original toy):'' '''Mygale'''
:''French-Canadian name (cartoon):'' '''La Veuve Noire''' (The Black Widow")<ref name=TM2BA>Whether Transmetal II Blackarachnia had different French and Spanish names is uncertain at this point.</ref>
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Hēi Jr-jū''' (黑蜘蛛, "Black Spider") / '''Jr-jū''' (蜘蛛, "Spider", used in ''Beast Machines'' sometimes)
:''Cantonese name:'' '''Alaina''' (雅麗娜 ''Aa Lai Naa'')
:''Polish name:'' '''Arachna'''
:''Portuguese name:'' '''Aracniana'''
:''Brazilian name (Beast Wars only):'' '''Viúva Negra'''
:''Spanish name'': '''Araña Negra''' ("Black Spider")<ref name=TM2BA/>
:''Italian name:'' '''Arachnia'''

==Fiction==
===First wave toy bios===
Working by moonlight, Blackarachnia poses as a double agent. In reality, this is merely a ruse she utilizes in order to lure unwitting Maximals into her darkened den, where she first paralyzes her victim with a poisonous missile. She then proceeds to restrain her victim with her powerful legs, and subsequently sucks their life force dry... kinky. She is capable of converting thermal energy into [[cyber venom]]. {{storylink|Blackarachnia (BW)#Toys|Blackarachnia bio}}
{{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===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Venus Terzo]] (English), [[Ryōka Yuzuki]] (Japanese), [[Fátima Noya]] (Portuguese), [[Françoise Vallon]] (French)

[[Image:BAintroduction.jpg|left|300px|thumb|My face is up here!]]
Blackarachnia was born from one of the [[Maximal|Maximals']] fallen [[stasis pod]]s. [[Tarantulas]], watching a black widow fight and devour another spider, was inspired. [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], observing the slim and attractive Blackarachnia transform and strike a few poses, suggested that he had "ulterior motives behind her beast form selection" but she was a Predacon, and that was what was important. In the battle with the Maximals that followed, she easily defeated [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] with a few well-placed kicks. She was later reported as "missing," though the reasons why and how were never addressed. {{storylink|Double Jeopardy}}

She was soon assigned to a mission with [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] to dig under the [[Axalon (BW)|Maximal base]] and use a [[sonic emitter]] she had invented to blow a hole into the bottom. She didn't get on well with either of them, but they managed to eventually get to the point where they were ready to trigger the emitter... only for [[Tigatron]] to steal it. By the time they caught up with the Maximal, the emitter was ready to explode, and they could only flee the blast area. {{storylink|A Better Mousetrap}} When [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]]'s virus turned [[Optimus Primal]] into a berserker and he invaded the [[Darksyde|Predacon base]], Blackarachnia and Terrorsaur battled the other Maximals as they also tried to gain entry. Unfortunately Cheetor slipped past them and was able to rescue Primal, however at least the other Maximals were held off. {{storylink|Gorilla Warfare}}

Blackarachnia was present during the interrogation of Cheetor when the Predacons discovered that a [[temporal probe|Maximal probe]] was flying past the planet, and took part in the battle to destroy the signal array which the Maximals were building. Once [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] was locked into his dino-mode by Tarantualas's [[transformation lock lens]], Blackarachnia delivered the coup de grâce, only to be subsequently blasted off a cliff by [[Rattrap]]. {{storylink|The Probe}} The Predacons staged a deception, faking their own destruction and using signal dampeners invented by Blackarachnia to hide while the Maximals use parts from their ship to repair the ''Axalon''. After being discovered by Dinobot, they pursued him. During an attempt to rush the ''Axalon'', Blackarachnia was blasted by the ship's defenses. {{storylink|Victory (episode)|Victory}}

[[Image:TheSpark Blackarachnia spidermode.jpg|right|thumb|250px]]
After Megatron turned [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] into a Predacon using a [[Transmuter (BW)|Transmuter]], Blackarachnia and Megatron were startled by Waspinator's impression of [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]. {{storylink|Dark Designs (episode)|Dark Designs}} Blackarachnia and Scorponok were dispatched to retrieve the latest crashed stasis pod. They encountered Tigatron, who disabled Scorponok, but was himself paralyzed by Blackarachnia's venom. At the pod, she fought Cheetor at length, but he caught her venom dart and used it to knock her out. {{storylink|The Spark}}

[[Image:The Trigger Blackarachnia chair.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
The discovery of a mysterious [[Brigadoon|flying island]] led to Megatron dispatching Blackarachnia and Scorponok to investigate it. Blackarachnia, when she saw the power wielded by the island, resolved to herself that she would take control of it. {{storylink|The Trigger, Part 1}} As the pair reached the obelisk in the center of the island, Waspinator and Terrorsaur arrived, and Blackarachnia tricked them into using their weapons, causing the island defenses to blast them. She then got rid of Scorponok using one of the island's traps, and took control of the island's power herself. Though she started piloting the island toward the ''Axalon'', Tigatron was able to destroy its energy supply, and the whole thing crashed to the ground. {{storylink|The Trigger, Part 2}}

She soon attempted to forge an alliance with Tarantulas, flattering him and accompanying him on a mission to secure the latest stasis pod to crash. Unfortunately they were too late to ensure the protoform obtained an arachnid beast mode, and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was born. While Blackarachnia was trying to get the new Predacon under control, Tarantulas made off with the real prize — the stasis pod itself. After the pod was destroyed, Tarantulas revealed to her that the planet was doomed, and she realised he'd intended to use the pod to build an escape ship, but he rebuffed her offer of further help and threw her out of his lair. {{storylink|Spider's Game}}

[[Image:Possession Blackarachnia slags Starscream.jpg|thumb|right|280px|This one frame turned a lot of fans into feminists. She's just that good, folks.]]
A Predacon plan to steal the [[rectifier coil]] from the ''Axalon'' resulted in the Maximals going feral, and Blackarachnia was part of the hunting party which pursued them into the jungle. She was defeated by Dinobot after the Maximals overcame their little problem. {{storylink|Call of the Wild}} When [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] took control of Waspinator's body and the Predacons were able to conquer the ''Axalon'', the Decepticon took Blackarachnia under his wing as a student and revealed his true intent to overthrow Megatron. After he abandoned her in the Maximal base, leaving her to escape Primal and Dinobot on her own, she took that as a hint to return the favour, and later shot a cluster of energon crystals, blasting Starscream free from Waspinator. She then engaged in some quick talking to get herself out of trouble with Megatron. {{storylink|Possession}}

Tarantulas infected Rhinox with an [[energon discharge virus]], and was later himself incapacitated, leading the Predacons to investigate his lair to see if they could dig up any more of the virus. Blackarachnia was able to find a counter-virus, but while Megatron was attempting a brilliant gambit against the attacking Maximals, Rhinox countered with an almighty fart which left the Predacon forces hanging from a tree. {{storylink|The Low Road}} Some time later, Megatron called a truce when signs pointed to the [[Vok|aliens]] returning. Tarantulas stole a transwarp cell from the ''Darksyde'', leading Megatron to assign Blackarachnia to keep an eye on him. The two spiders attempted to stop Tigatron escaping the Predacon base, but were tricked into being flattened by a boulder by Dinobot. They were the least damaged, however, and dragged the rest of the Predacons back to base. {{storylink|Before the Storm}}

[[Image:OtherVoices2 possessed Blackarachnia.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
Blackarachnia offered to help Tarantulas break into the Maximal base to steal a stasis pod. They were able to use one of Blackarachnia's inventions to penetrate the ''Axalon'' shields and overcome Rhinox and Dinobot. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 1}} As Tarantulas worked to turn the stasis pod into an escape ship, Blackarachnia turned on him, intending to use the pod herself. They were interrupted by Inferno, who slagged Tarantulas, but Blackarachnia was easily able to defeat him in return. She linked to Tarantulas's mind to obtain the necessary information, and successfully completed modifying the pod... only to be captured by the Maximals. Optimus forced her to change the control codes to respond to him, so he could pilot the pod himself and destroy the [[Planet Buster]] weapon threatening the planet. As it happened, Megatron had sabotaged the transwarp cell, and Optimus was unable to eject before impact. {{storylink|Other Voices, Part 2}}

While attempting to escape from the Maximal base, Blackarachnia was shocked to discover that her earlier interfacing with Taratulas had resulted in a permanent mind-link between the two of them. Tarantulas was able to force her to take his body with her as she left the base. Though she was intercepted by Tigatron and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], Megatron happened to turn up at that point. He threatened to terminate Blackarachnia, but she talked her way out of it by pointing out the simple fact that Megatron's stock of troops was sorely depleted. Of course, during the inevitable battle, Tarantulas forced Blackarachnia to retreat with his body. {{storylink|Aftermath}}

[[Image:ComingoftheFuzors Blackarachnia downloading.jpg|right|200px|thumb]]
Returning to the Predacon base, Blackarachnia interrupted Dinobot stealing the [[Golden Disk (disambiguation)|Golden Disk]]s, but refused Tarantulas's order that she should try to get them back. Instead she repaired him, but discovered that the mind link persisted. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)}} While Tarantulas went to help Megatron's latest battle, Blackarachnia dug through the base's computer for information on the Golden Disks and discovered important data, including the access codes to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. she was able to download it while Tarantulas was unconscious, and destroyed the computer. She later told Megatron and Tarantulas that Dinobot had destroyed the computer and the data lost. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)}}

The two spiders were later sent with new recruit [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] to build a refueling station in a cave full of energon. Tarantulas schemed to take over the cave himself and attempted to persuade Blackarachnia to join him, but soon realised she was hiding something from him. When he tried to rip the information from her mind, she cracked an energon cube, the radiation causing them both pain and forcing him to sever the mental link. He threatened to tear her apart, but was interrupted when Rattrap and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] arrived to fight. Silverbolt, much to Rattrap's annoyance, refused to strike Blackarachnia because she was female. In the end, Tarantulas used the battle as cover to fake the destruction of the cave, and the trio had to report their failure to Megatron. {{storylink|Tangled Web}}

When Dinobot attempted to defect back to the Predacons, Blackarachnia suggested he prove himself by fighting with Quickstrike. {{storylink|Maximal, No More}} During another alien incursion, Megatron took Blackarachnia and Inferno to the Maximal base, where they were able to overcome Rhinox, the sole Maximal there. Blackarachnia grabbed the alien [[Golden Disk (Vok)|Golden Disk]]. Megatron and Tarantulas colluded to work against the aliens, and when Megatron questioned why, Blackarachnia revealed that she had learned from the mind link that Tarantulas hated the aliens and wanted to destroy them. {{storylink|Other Visits (Part 1)}} Though Blackarachnia was rendered unconscious by a blast from the [[Metal Hunter|alien construct]] that appeared, she was reactivated when Megatron took control of the construct and brought the other Predacons aboard. She was one of the Predacons sent out to defend the construct against the Maximals, but Tarantulas managed to infiltrate and destroy it anyway. {{storylink|Other Visits (Part 2)}}

[[Image:Blackarachnia fightback.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Spousal abuse!]]
When an energon blast sent her and Silverbolt into the middle of the dense jungles, they were forced to work together. Though attracted to the [[Fuzor]], Blackarachnia was endlessly frustrated by his seemingly idiotic chivalry and need to treat her specially. Megatron, listening in via a [[synch-pulse transmitter]] he'd planted on her, was disgusted by the obvious romance going on. Still Silverbolt and Blackarachnia worked together surprisingly well, saving each other's life in turns, and eventually defeating [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] with the help of Optimus and Cheetor. {{storylink|Bad Spark}}

When the Predacons attacked the valley of proto-humans, Blackarachnia was teamed with Inferno. She did considerable damage to Dinobot before being blasted herself. {{storylink|Code of Hero}}

Blackarachnia took advantage of Silverbolt's obvious interest in her, meeting the Maximal at a secluded location to obtain a [[graviton generator]]. She used the generator to convert a stasis pod into a makeship hoversled, and later overheard Megatron giving a mission to Waspinator. As the Maximals fought their way into the Predacon base, Blackarachnia emerged on her sled to encounter Silverbolt. Silverbolt refused a direct order from Optimus to shoot her, allowing her to leave and tail Waspinator instead. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}} Silverbolt eventually caught up with Blackarachnia, who resorted to shooting him in order to try to get the point across that he should leave her alone. It didn't really work, and when the hoversled she was on hit Waspinator, Silverbolt saved her from plummeting to the ground. He subsequently joined her in digging into the side of the mountain they had been heading towards. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}}

[[Image:BA Silverbolt Agenda3.jpg|right|250px|thumb|I can walk, you know.]]
Finally they broke through into a huge cavern containing the Ark, and Blackarachnia explained the ship's significance to her companion. While she was keen to take the power for herself, Megatron arrived and knocked Silverbolt offline before caving in the tunnel they'd dug. Having always intended for her to reach the Ark as he knew she had the access codes, Megatron threatened to vape Silverbolt unless she did what he said. Bitterly, she agreed to his demands, reluctantly opening the ship and, while Megatron went on, using the Ark's security system to hold off the Maximals. Megatron took the opportunity to attempt to assassinate [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], potentially erasing the Maximals from history. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

Unfortunately for Megatron, Blackarachnia had originally been a Maximal protoform, and certainly wasn't willing to die for his cause. She activated [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I's]] security nets to force Megatron off the ship. With Silverbolt's help, she got the dying Autobot leader under life support and began the repairs. The Maximals were forced to accept her help, but while the Maximals were occupied with Megatron, Blackarachnia slipped out... only to be trapped by falling rocks, and slagged by Megatron during his escape. Silverbolt cradled her to her chest as she shut down, swearing vengeance until the other Maximals suggested he stop messing around and get her to a repair chamber. With no much other choice, Blackarachnia joined the Maximal ranks. {{storylink|Optimal Situation}} She even spent time on guard duty outside the base with Silverbolt. {{storylink|Deep Metal}}

Blackarachnia quickly showed her usefulness to the Maximals, building a hand-powered [[subaquatic stealth vessel]] that could retrieve Sentinel from the ''Axalon'''s underwater resting place. Rattrap was less than thrilled about having to use the "Predacon beach ball". {{storylink|Changing of the Guard}}

[[Image:Cutting Edge Blackarachnia kids.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Actually just picking up lunch.]]
She was even less thrilled when she ended up having to escort two human children back to their tribe along with Cheetor, who was exhibiting a boyish crush on her, much to Silverbolt's annoyance. Rattrap was also rather distrusting of her, as earlier he had spied Blackarachnia sneaking some parts from a classified area. But when Megatron's new [[cyber raptor]]s attacked, Blackarachnia showed her good side by defending the children, even taking a hit from Tarantulas for them, which she immediately denied to an impressed Silverbolt by saying she slipped. With the cyber raptors defeated, she informed Cheetor that he was a nice kid - which were two strikes against him, so don't go looking for strike three. {{storylink|Cutting Edge}}

[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] returned from a mission reporting that Cheetor had been destroyed trying to interfere with Megatron's experiment, however the Maximal had secretly brought back the [[Transmetal driver]], a component of Megatron's experiment. Though he tossed it into a pool of lava, Blackarachnia was able to grab it before it was destroyed. {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 1}} She took part in the search for Cheetor, leading Silverbolt to develop jealousy at her apparent concern for their comrade. He later turned up with, it transpired, a new [[Transmetal 2]] body, which Blackarachnia took particular interest in. {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 2}}

[[Image:ProvingGrounds Blackarachnia wink.jpg|right|200px|thumb]]
After Rhinox scanned her and found the [[shell program]] that made her a Predacon, Blackarachnia finally got fed up with Rattrap's attitude and Cheetor's crush, and would have choked/blasted them both if Optimus hadn't intervened. Weary that apparently she hadn't proven herself to the Maximals and thinking that Optimus and Rhinox were planning to force her to remove the shell, Blackarachnia decided to split... which turned out to be a bad decision, as [[Dinobot II]] had been waiting for this moment. Taking turns hunting each other, Blackarachnia got the upper hand but was caught off-guard by Dinobot's power and durability. Fleeing to a mesa, she was found by Silverbolt, who got in a fight with Dinobot and was about to be slagged. Blackarachnia shot him out of the way, then tried to make a deal with Dinobot to take over the Ark and the Predacons, which backfired and allowed Dinobot to stun her, but he was distracted by Silverbolt long enough for the two Maximals to finally defeat him. After an argument between the pair, Optimus arrived to point out that the decision to remove the program had always been up to her. {{storylink|Proving Grounds}}

When Megatron attempted to fire his new [[disruptor cannon]] on the Maximal base, the Maximals prepared for the worst, but the cannon blew up instead. {{storylink|Go with the Flow}}

[[Image:CrossingtheRubicron-newbody.jpg|left|300px|thumb|80% more pointy edges!]]

Seeking more power, Blackarachnia attempted to use the Transmetal driver on herself. Silverbolt, not realizing what she was planning, bailed her out of the contraption. Like every good girlfriend, she began to chew him out, but was cut off as an energy surge made her lose control of her circuits. A security system Tarantulas installed had been triggered by her tampering with her core, and the only way to fix it was to cut the Predacon [[shell program]] loose. Reluctantly, she agreed, especially since this was a very difficult procedure that could lead to her death. With time running out, she passed the Ark's access codes on to Primal in case she didn't make it and shut herself down, leaving herself in Rhinox's care. Rhinox began the operation, but his tinkering tripped an alert in [[Tarantulas's lair]]. The Predacons got wind of what he was doing and mounted an attack on the Maximal base. The Maximals countered their attack, but the power was disrupted by a shot fired by Tarantulas at a critical stage. This apparently killed Blackarachnia.

Distraught, Silverbolt took off to avenge her death, blinded by rage. However, in Silverbolt's absence, Blackarachnia's body attracted the attention of the Transmetal driver, and she was resurrected in a new Transmetal 2 form. She arrived just in time to save Silverbolt from Rampage. Rampage admitted that he liked her new look, but tried to kill her just the same. Surprisingly, Blackarachnia was able to disarm and stun the titanic Rampage, ultimately throwing him over the horizon using her webs. Silverbolt was, of course, overjoyed to see his beloved alive, but Blackarachnia told him to knock off the vengeful hero stuff so she wouldn't have to keep endangering herself with inevitable rescue attempts. {{storylink|Crossing the Rubicon}}

[[Image:MasterBlaster Blackarachnia beast mode.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]
Some time later, Blackarachnia returned to base to find the doors open. It was the result of Megatron's latest plan as it turned out, which involved Quickstrike taking control of Optimus Primal's body, rendering the other Maximals unconscious and placing them in a cage. Left in Rampage's "care", Blackarachnia was able to use some sort of telekinesis to make a girder fly through the air and disable the Predacon. After dealing with Inferno, she went to release the other Maximals, only to run into Quickstrike and Primal. She freed Primal by disabling Quickstrike's control suit, and subsequently managed to stop the Ark's destruct sequence, which Tarantulas had set in motion, before rescuing the other Maximals and helping fight Megatron off. {{storylink|Master Blaster}}

[[Image:Nemesis2-Maximals.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Spot the Mega Class toy!]]

When an object from space destroyed the Predacon base, Blackarachnia realised that the aliens had returned — in this case in the form of the Vok emissary [[Tigerhawk]]. She cut short Rattrap's celebrations by pointing out that when Tigerhawk had finished with the Predacons, he'd probably come for them. {{storylink|Other Victories}} Tigerhawk, in fact, joined the Maximals. When Silverbolt was injured looking for the Predacons, Blackarachnia rode to his aid on Cheetor's back, and the pair took him back to base for repairs. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}} After Megatron raised the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' from the depths of the ocean, the Maximals struggled to prepare the Ark for moving. In search of something to make a power link, Blackarachnia grabbed Rattrap's tail-whip, snipping off the end and repurposing it as a power cable. Though the attempt to shift the Ark failed, Rhinox used a shuttle to defeat Megatron. The Maximals subsequently blasted off for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the shuttle. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}
{{-}}

====Fast Action Battlers toyline====

{{note|This fiction takes place shortly after the events of ''[[Possession]]''.}}

Blackarachnia eventually met up with several [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s from [[Transformers (2007)|another dimension]]. A battle broke out between the Maximals, Predacons, Autobots and Decepticons. The other-dimensional Transformers eventually returned to their place of origin and the Beast Wars continued as they were. {{storylink|Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)#3 million years ago|Japanese Fast Action Battler packaging}}

====Beast Wars: Transformers Video Game====
{{note|This game takes place in an alternate version of the first season of the [[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]] cartoon.}}
{{Note|Blackarachnia is a playable character in the Predacon mode of this game for normal gameplay.}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{Note|Due to the nature of this game, a player may select various individual characters to perform the feats required in every level, and complete the game's narrative. Thus, any playable Maximal can fill the role of protagonist in Maximal Mode, and any playable Predacon can fill the role of protagonist in Predacon Mode. As such, each character's page only lists said character's actions when they fill the role of antagonist during gameplay. To view the various feats Blackarachnia can accomplish throughout gameplay in Predacon Mode, it is told on the pages of the [[Optimus Primal|several]] [[Cheetor (BW)|Maximals]] [[Rattrap|included]] [[Dinobot (BW)|as]] [[Rhinox|opponents]] in this game, as well as the game's main antagonists, the [[Skriix]], wherein Blackarachnia fills the role of the nameless Predacon. To view the plot as a whole view the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (video game)]] page.}}
{{-}}

====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:N64Blackarachnia.jpg|200px|thumb|I'm... sure she has a nice personality... wait, no. No, she doesn't.]]
{{note|In the the N64 version of ''Beast Wars: Transmetals'', Blackarachnia was a stretched [[palette swap|palette-swap]] of [[Tarantulas|Transmetal Tarantulas]]. As you can see, this didn't work very well. The Playstation version does not stretch out Tarantulas, instead remeshing the model to resemble her Transmetal 2 form.}}
:''Voice actor:'' ? (English), ? (Japanese)

Transmetal Blackarachnia joins her fellow Predacons in distributing various one-on-one beat downs to the Maximals. Eventually, Silverbolt convinces her to defect to the Maximals but she never truly reforms. It is her betrayal at a key moment that eventually assures the Maximals victory in the Beast Wars. Once back on Cybertron, she works as a double-agent between the Maximal and [[Tripredacus Council]] with no loyalty to either side. She often ponders what would have happened if she had remained on the Predacon's team throughout the war. {{storylink|Transformers 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 Blackarachnia’s fate in those outcomes.}}
{{-}}

====IDW ''Beast Wars'' comics====
[[Image:TMblackarachnia.jpg|200px|thumb|No boobs? No thanks.]]
While the Maximals attempted to remove her Predacon shell program, an alternate Transmetal "Vok" body was somehow automatically created (by someone, somehow) in [[subspace]] just in case it was needed. It wasn't, and so it was "sidelined". {{storylink|Beast Wars Sourcebook}}

{{note|This is [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] way of "sorta" working her [[McDonald's]] Happy Meal premium toy (see below) into continuity}}
{{-}}
====''Tales of the Beast Wars''====
Blackarachnia made a brief appearance in her Transmetal 2 form at [[Reaching the Omega Point|Omega Point]], being eviscerated by [[Shokaract]]'s firepower. Clearly, she got better as space/time rebooted itself with the destruction of the [[Unicron|Dark Essence]]. {{storylink|Terminus}}
{{-}}
====''Transformers Legends'' anthology====
{{note|This takes place after "[[Master Blaster]]"}}
Not long after Megatron took the original Megatron's spark into himself, he had Quickstrike deliver a device to the Maximal base which amplified the Maximals' aggression. Blackarachnia was attacked by Rhinox before escaping while Silverbolt distracted him. Once Optimus Primal was able to overcome the device's effects and free the other Maximals, they attempted unsuccessfully to capture Megatron in one of Blackarachnia's webs. {{storylink|A Meeting of Minds}}

{{note|This takes place during "[[Spark of Darkness]]"}}
Blackarachia was trying to persuade Silverbolt that it was all right for them to resume their romance after Megatron's apparent death, when they were attacked by a strange zombie-like creature. After it zapped Silverbolt, she unsuccessfully tried to attack it in retaliation. {{storylink|Singularity Ablyss}}
{{-}}

====''Binaltech'' (unused)====
As the victorious Maximals travelled forward in time from prehistoric Earth to far-future Cybertron, their shuttle was suddenly struck by a powerful force of darkness. Hurled into the early 21st century, Blackarachnia was forced by Unicron to aid him in his efforts to destroy the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Her spark was placed inside the silver Beta Unit Honda S-2000 Aero Style body intended for the Autobot warrior [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], and her mind was overwhelmed by an evil essence that forced her to do Unicron's bidding.

Still possessing her extrasensory Transmetal 2 powers including telekinesis, Blackarachnia gained several additional weapons courtesy of her new form: a long-range Venom Sniper Gun that fired system-disrupting energy bullets, a defensive riot shield that projected an electromagnetic field from its edge, and the ability to fire strong artificial webs from her grill, exhaust pipe and hands in robot mode.

Blackarachnia was partnered with the newly-created [[Decepticharge]] and dispatched to confront [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave's]] forces on Earth. Finding them in the middle of a [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]-led uprising, the pair put down the rebellion and ordered the Decepticons to defeat [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and destroy the Matrix.

While forced to act as a Decepticon, Blackarachnia's true self remained intact but submerged, struggling to overcome Unicron's control and desperate to correct the warped [[Alternators|Binaltech]] timeline.

[[Blackarachnia (BW)#TriviaBinaltech|''Maybe.'']]

====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Venus Terzo]] (English), [[Ryōka Yuzuki]] (Japanese), [[Márcia Moreli]] (Portuguese) [[Rossella Acerbo]] (Italian)

[[Image:Thereformattingmaximalsmaximize.jpg|left|300px|thumb|When they say she's all legs, they ain't kidding!]]
When the Autobot shuttle crashed on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the Maximal team was gassed, Blackarachnia's Transmetal 2 powers were stripped away from her, as were her memories. As such, the amnesiac Maximal decided to head underground, distraught and confused. Locked out of her robot mode, she awaited her imminent deactivation...until the other three survivors—an equally disoriented [[Optimus Primal]], [[Rattrap]] and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]—plunged into her web. Primal made the decision to head underground, and Blackarachnia complied, using her webs to grant them safe passage. However, in her weakened state her webbing was limited, and so the foursome plummeted most of the way down into the chamber of the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]. She watched as Optimus emerged in his [[technorganic]] form, and she was the fourth and last Maximal to be [[Reformatting|reformatted]], emerging as a pink black widow spider with green markings. When attacked by a squadron of Cycle Drones, she put her technorganic mode to good use, trapping one of the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] in a tangle of web. {{storylink|The Reformatting}}

[[Image:Blackarachniamasterofthehouse.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Nice forehead!]]
Under Primal's tutelage, Cheetor and Blackarachnia relearned the ability to transform, and the Maximals set about finding a new base. Blackarachnia managed to goad Cheetor into accompanying her aboveground to find out what had happened to the residents of Cybertron. They accessed the [[Cybertron InfoCore]], only to find it had been wiped. The Maximals visited the [[Council Citadel]], allowing Blackarachnia to test her new powers in combat, including an ability to fire electrical "stings" through the ground. To her shock, they discovered that the mastermind behind the cleansing of Cybertron was none other than Megatron. {{storylink|Master of the House}} During an attempt to access the [[Cybertron Archives]], she received a vision of prehistoric [[Earth]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]. She sneaked off to the spaceport to consult the records of their arrival and was followed by Rattrap. As well as encountering Megatron's new, sentient [[Vehicon general]]s, they discovered that there had been six occupants in the shuttle. Seeking more information, Blackarachnia attempted to access the logs from the shuttle itself, only for Megatron to attempt to access her own mind, and she was only prevented from revealing the location of the Maximal base by Rattrap severing the link. The pair were subsequently rescued by Primal and Cheetor, but Blackarachnia's information reawakened memories of Rhinox and Silverbolt in them all. {{storylink|Fires of the Past}}

Rattrap's use of a transformation enhancer got the Maximals captured by Megatron for a short time, but during their escape, Optimus reported that [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]]'s spark seemed familiar. {{storylink|Mercenary Pursuits}} Blackarachnia and crew later discovered the bat-creature [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]], who led them to a strange, organic fruit tree. Upon eating the fruit, Blackarachnia began to revert to her instinctual "animal" mind, and it was only thanks to [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] that her feral mind returned to normal, and thanks to Primal that the bat's life was saved and reformatted into a technorganic body. {{storylink|Forbidden Fruit}} After another mission was fouled up by Rattrap's antics during Optimus's convalescence from reformatting Nightscream, the remaining Maximals discussed what they needed to do about Rattrap. Blackarachnia was irritated by Rattrap's uselessness, but Cheetor asserted that they had to cover for their friend. They were shocked to find a while later that Rattrap had overheard them and taken up with Megatron in exchange for weapons. Primal talked Rattrap around, scolding the other Maximals that they undervalued their teammate. {{storylink|The Weak Component}}

[[Image:Revelations3 Blackarachnia closeup.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Later, the group stumbled across one of Megatron's many Transformer junkyards, where the lifeless, [[spark]]less bodies of the city's inhabitants were disposed of. When [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]] and Blackarachnia were split up from the battle, the two made an unofficial truce, but when Thrust saved her life and her spark, having strange recollections of doing so before, her mind was set: He was Silverbolt, mutated and made evil by Megatron. She resolved to get her lover back, but didn't reveal to the other Maximals that she believed Thrust was Silverbolt. {{storylink|Revelations Part I: Discovery}} When Cheetor enacted a subsequent plan to try to hack into Tankor, Blackarachnia volunteered to keep Thrust busy. She made numerous appeals to Thrust to try to bring out his Maximal nature, but Thrust was hesitant and was soon bullied into extracting her spark by [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]]. {{storylink|Revelations Part II: Descent}} As her spark rocketed into the darkness, Nightscream fought Jetstorm for it. At the same time, on another plane of existence, Blackarachnia encountered Primal, who calmed her astral spirit down, at the same time allowing Nightscream to restore it and bring her back. She and Nightscream were able to come to Cheetor and Rattrap's aid, but they had found that Tankor was really Rhinox, and their old friend was now siding with Megatron's view of a technological Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelations Part III: Apocalypse}}

[[Image:Survivor Blackarachnia beast mode head.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
After Nightscream was snatched away by the Vehicons, the other Maximals gave pursuit. Blackarachnia's hesitation in attacking Thrust allowed the Vehicon to pursue Primal and Nightscream, who had discovered a [[fossil cave|cave full of fossils]], proving Cybertron was once organic. {{storylink|Survivor}} When Tankor gained control of the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] and "infected" Nightscream and the new orchard with the Key, Blackarachnia quickly found that the [[organic goo]] they'd just discovered was a cure to the [[technomatter]]. While the other Maximals went to get a mole drone, Blackarachnia stayed behind to look after Nightscream, only to be infected by him and temporarily lose her own sanity. The other Maximals eventually returned with a drone and were able to cure her. {{storylink|The Key}}

[[Image:Silverboltjetstorm.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Sorry, your boyfriend was behind door number 2!]]
Taking a vial of the goo, Blackarachnia kidnapped Thrust, trapping him in a web and using the goo to force out his inner personality, in the expectation that Silverbolt would emerge. Instead, she discovered that Thrust was [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], who'd flown to Cybertron from prehistoric Earth. When Jetstorm attacked, another mishap with the organic goop occurred, and for a moment Silverbolt's true personality emerged, sweeping Blackarachnia in his arms. However, as he and Waspinator fought over Blackarachnia, the goo vanished from the both of them, and the Vehicons' minds both returned. Blackarachnia was swiftly rescued by the other Maximals, riding a giant vine created by a catalyst which Rattrap had found. {{storylink|The Catalyst}}

Blackarachnia was involved in the battle in Megatron's Citadel, holding off the Vehicons as Primal confronted Megatron within, though she, along with the others, were all overwhelmed by the Key to Vector Sigma and became comatose. {{storylink|End of the Line}} The clashing energies of the Key and the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] restored the four Maximals to life. Entering the Council Citadel, they found that the battle had claimed Primal, Megatron and Tankor. They headed for the Oracle in search of guidance, where they found Optimus Primal floating within, and they convinced him to return to real-space and continue his leadership.

The Maximals returned to the surface to find a [[Grand Mal|giant floating head]] in the likeness of Megatron. {{storylink|Fallout}} Blackarachnia and Nightscream tried unsuccessfully to infiltrate the head. Leaving Optimus to try and contact Megatron's spark, the other Maximals went to find the two remaining Vehicon generals and encountered a strange, organic Transformer named [[Noble]], who changed from a wolf into the dragon-like Savage. {{storylink|Savage Noble}} The Maximals later infiltrated the Council Citadel, looking for information, only to discover that Noble was actually Megatron, trapped in his own organic half. Megatron used [[spark extractor]]s to remove his spark, taking over the huge, flying head and reactivating the Vehicon drone army, which forced the Maximals back underground. {{storylink|Prometheus Unbound}}

[[Image:Blackarachniasilverboltdarkestknight.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Vamp meets goth.]]
When Rattrap revealed he's created a device he hoped could be used to restore the stolen sparks into new bodies, Blackarachnia "borrowed" it. She managed to force Jetstorm into a large pool of the organic goo, and his body began to change. Scanning a nearby condor skeleton, he awoke in a new form, a purple technorganic bird of prey. Blackarachnia was startled by the change in him. Instead of the lovable, chivalrous knight in shining armor, he was a brittle, haunted bot, tormented by the images of the evil deeds he had done...done by choice. Though he gave up on himself, she never did, urging Silverbolt to forgive his past, prompting him to head to the Grand Mal to confront his old master and rescue Primal and Cheetor. {{storylink|In Darkest Knight}}

Blackarachnia continued to assure Silverbolt that things would get better. After Silverbolt inadvertently spread a new, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]-enhanced version of the old [[Hate Plague]], causing dissension in the ranks, he blamed himself, but she and the other Maximals were supportive. {{storylink|A Wolf in the Fold}} Later, when a Maximal spaceship crashed, the Maximals split up to reach it in time. As they did, Blackarachnia confided to Rattrap that she'd found Silverbolt increasingly cold towards her. At the ship, they encountered a strange, alien plant monster, which Primal reformatted, revealing it to be [[Botanica]], a fellow Maximal. {{storylink|Home Soil}}

The Maximals would soon encounter two new Vehicon generals, [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] and [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], whose gambit almost defeated them until Botanica stepped in. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike}} Blackarachnia and Silverbolt were teamed up with Cheetor during a search for the missing sparks. Though Silverbolt was uncomfortable about following someone he still regarded as a kid, Blackarachnia defended Cheetor. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. II: The Search}} The Maximals attempted to infiltrate the Grand Mal to find the missing sparks, only to discover that Megatron was using them to fuel his great ascension. Nightscream's intercession appeared to dispel the Vehicon leader's spark. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. III: The Siege}}

[[Image:Silverboltblackarachniaseedsofthefuture.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Eeek! That smile! Go back to glowering!]]
Once the Maximals had celebrated, Blackarachnia tried to talk to Silverbolt, believing now was the time for them to renew their romance. Silverbolt was not convinced of Megatron's demise, and in fact, he was right: Megatron still lived as a disembodied and depolarized spark. The pair found themselves being attacked by a zombie of pieced-together Vehicon parts, animated by the power of Megatron's spark. Megatron was later trapped in a [[Diagnostic Drone]] by Rattrap. {{storylink|Spark of Darkness}}

Silverbolt, Blackarachnia and Nightscream attacked the Vehicons while the others attempted to secure the sparks in the Grand Mal. They were subsequently able to put Megatron's Vehicon factory out of commission, but the Grand Mal itself was brought down. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. I: The Downward Spiral}} Blackarachnia and Silverbolt were able to share a quiet moment before the final battle, and they received a spark power-up from the collective population of Cybertron. However, they were both felled during battle by Obsidian and Thrust, respectively. Their sparks were then torn from them by cycle drones. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. II: When Legends Fall}} Though unable to assist physically, Blackarachnia and the other Maximals were able to give moral support to Primal during his final battle against Megatron, which resulted in the sacrifice of both leaders and the reformatting of Cybertron into a technorganic paradise. With harmony restored, Silverbolt and Blackarachnia were finally able to be together. {{storylink|Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future}}
{{-}}

====''Universe''====
Shortly after the planet underwent the Great Reformatting, the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]] seized the opportunity to attack, believing that the revolutionary change would have rendered the planets' inhabitants confused and docile. Suffice to say, the Transformers were greatly underestimated. Silverbolt and Blackarachnia were successfully able to fend [[Cybertropolis]] from Quintesson invaders. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

[[Image:Blackarachniaabduction.jpg|right|300px|thumb|She stabbed my basketball, and the speakers to my stereo!]]
One year later, Silverbolt and Blackarachnia were chosen to greet a ship of returning Autobot heroes from the Great War. Their welcomes were ignored by the crew, which included [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Roulette]], and [[Shadow Striker (Universe)|Shadow Striker]], when they realized that their home had been transformed into a strange technorganic paradise. Only [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] was unphased, choosing to talk up Blackarachnia and Silverbolt so that he could mug for [[Rook (Universe)|Rook's]] cameras.

[[Image:TFU Blackarachnia vs Rattrap.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Hey, guys, I turned evil again!]]
Their greeting was interrupted by a series of what appeared to be fireworks. Instead, they were beams of energy sent by [[Unicron]] to capture the returning crew, Blackarachnia, and Silverbolt, and bring them to him. When they arrived, a booming voice welcomed them to the [[Pit]], a dimension inside Unicron. Blackarachnia and her fellow captives were painfully smelted down and reformed; only Trailbreaker emerged unchanged. Since she arrived, Blackarachnia had begun to feel a growing anger that she couldn't control. And in this new Unicron-tainted form, she more than welcomed the swarm of creatures that began swarming her group. Overwhelmed, Blackarachnia and the others were herded into the [[Cauldron]] and filed into prison cells. As Blackarachnia protested, she was silenced by [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]], one of their hosts.

It was revealed to them by the master of ceremonies, [[Razorclaw (Universe)|Razorclaw]], that they would be forced to fight fellow abducted Transformers. The loser's [[spark]] would fuel and empower Unicron, whose form had fallen into disrepair. Blackarachnia's uncontrollable rage welcomed this bloodsport, as Silverbolt watched helplessly as she fell under Unicron's evil spell. {{storylink|Abduction}}

Optimus Primal, resurrected by [[Primus]], arrived to rescue the prisoners of the Cauldron, and with help from Silverbolt and Trailbreaker, its captives were set free. But Unicron's grip on Blackarachnia was too strong. She began lashing out madly, even at Silverbolt, and the Fuzor took tight hold of her so that he might swiftly remove her from Unicron's grip. But as the others began jumping through a portal that would lead them to their respective homes across the [[Continuity|multiverse]], Blackarachnia had a moment of clarity. Sadly, she told Silverbolt that Unicron had awakened her ''true'' nature, then bid him farewell and threw him through the portal.

[[Image:Optimusprimaluniverseend.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Closure? Maybe?]]
Soon, she was escorted by Tankor and [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] to the center of Unicron, where she was repulsed to meet a familiar face: Tarantulas! {{storylink|Escape (issue)|Escape}}

Blackarachnia was dispatched to Cybertron's [[Undercity]], where she observed Rattrap for a while. Finally, she made her presence known, stinging him with her cybervenom. She never had liked the vermin, after all. Suddenly, Rattrap was saved by [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]], back from the dead. Blackarachnia was knocked out, and Depth Charge left the weakened Rattrap to fend for himself. As Depth Charge departed, he found himself surrounded by Blackarachnia's [[Piranacon (Universe)|Piranacons]]. {{storylink|Homecoming (issue)|Homecoming}}

{{note|[[3H Productions]] lost the license, and so this story was never finished as intended. However, look into the end of ''Universe'' was shown in a comic published by the next licensee, [[Fun Publications]].}}
Much later, Optimus Primal waged one last desperate assault against Unicron, and his [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] were able to defeat the [[Minion of Unicron|Minions of Unicron]]. As Unicron himself seemed to dissolve below them, Silverbolt carried Blackarachnia with him, saving her from sharing the gruesome fate of her evil peers. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Metals'' comic===
[[Image:Blackarach24.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Keeping something OUT of her crotch, for once.]]
Following the [[Quantum surge]], Blackarachnia was one of the few Transformers ''not'' to be upgraded into a [[Transmetal]]. As [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and his armies laid seige to the weakened Maximal base, Blackarachnia waited in secret for an opening. When [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] was forced to shut [[Sentinel (BW)|Sentinel]] down to let an injured [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] in, Blackarachnia saw her chance and entered the base. Knocking out Airazor and ripping [[Rattrap]]'s arm off, Blackarachnia confronted Rhinox. Rhinox proceeded to pull out a "gun", but instead of shooting her with it, he blasted himself in the head (the "gun" actually being a machine allowing him to enter [[Transwarp space]]). Confused, but seeing no further use for the Maximals, Blackarachnia left the base. As the base collapsed behind her, she was approached by Quickstrike, who didn't like her "interfering" with his business. Not in the mood, she immediately kicked his head off. {{storylink|Raise the Curtain for Beast Wars Metals!!|Raise the Curtain for Beast Wars Metals!!}}

{{-}}

===''Universe'' CD-ROM===
Blackarachnia followed [[Reptilion|Reptillion]]{{sic}} in battle against [[Optimus Primal]] and his Autobot forces. She teamed up with [[Razorclaw (Universe)|Razorclaw]] to fight [[Striker]] before being abducted by [[Unicron]]. {{storylink|Universe CD-ROM}}

===''TransTech''===
[[Image:Scavengerblackarachniaalphatriontranscendent.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Silverbolt would not approve.]]
Though she may appear to be a native of [[Axiom Nexus]], Blackarachnia was brought online in a far different universe. On a [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] where the Autobots and Decepticons had grown too decrepit to carry on the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], they constructed proxy armies in the form of the [[Maximal]]s and Predacons. As a result from her first moments Blackarachnia knew only strife and combat. Increasingly questioning the orders of her Autobot masters, the breaking point came with the death of her colleagues Silverbolt and Rhinox. She conspired with [[Nightscream (TransTech)|Nightscream]] and together they killed their commander, Optimus Primal.

Joined by the malcontent Predacons [[Immorticon]] and [[Scavenger (TransTech)|Scavenger]], they fled and activated an experimental [[transwarp]] device, hoping to escape Cybertron. Instead, they found themselves in Axiom Nexus. After processing, they were placed in the care of [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]. He convinced her that the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s who ruled the city were little different from the Autobots under whose yoke she had chafed. Under his tender ministrations, her spark was transferred from her Lowtech body into that of her Transcendent Technomorph [[Blackarachnia (TransTech)|counterpart]], with the authorities of Axiom Nexus none the wiser. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 25|"TransTech" Blackarachnia's profile in Club magazine #25}}

Thus upgraded, she joined Alpha Trion's insurrectionist organization, and was part of the raid on [[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]]'s laboratory in the hopes of rescuing [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]]. Blackarachnia and her comrades successfully stormed into Shockwave's inner sanctum, where they came face-to-face with the formidable [[Megatron (TransTech)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 5}}

{{charstubfiction}}

==Toys==
===Beast Wars===
{{anchor|Dx1}}
[[Image:Blackarachniabwtoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Post-op Tarantulas.]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Deluxe, 1996/1997)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''D-8'''
**''Accessories'': Launcher, 4 leg-missiles

: Blackarachnia's original toy is a [[redeco]] of the [[Tarantulas]] mold, transforming into a rather generic-looking organic spider. It features a removable spring-loaded launcher hidden in its beast-mode abdomen. It nominally fires the "grappling hook" attached to its abdomen by a string, but its front four beast-mode legs can also be removed and used as ammunition. Like all first-year ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Deluxes, the robot-mode head has both a "robot" face and a [[mutant head|"mutant" face]]; Blackarachnia is always depicted in fiction using the "robot" one (or a rough approximation thereof).

[[Image:BW-toy BlackarachniaTakara.jpg|right|250px|thumb|She might have an F-cup...or an E.]]

: The [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] release of the toy has numerous color differences from the [[Hasbro]] version, but they are of dubious merit as far as making her more "show-accurate" go. The bright green of the Hasbro version's forearms is replaced with dull silver, while the brighter purple is replaced with a darker, more desaturated purple. Her dark copper paint is replaced with a brighter gold. Her robot-mode facemask is painted gold, which is closer to the show model... but her face beneath is black with gold eyes (instead of gold with black eyes), and she inexplicably gains a new painted-black forehead crest, where the show model has gold.

: This mold was later used to make the [[Tarantulas|"Beast Wars 10th Anniversary" version of Tarantulas]], and the ''[[#BW10J|Beast Wars Telemocha]]'' version of Blackarachnia. It was intended to be used to make [[#UnUni|a second ''Universe'' version of Blackarachnia]], but that toy set was canceled.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Predacon/Blackarachnia/blackarachnia.htm More information on Deluxe BW Blackarachnia at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BWJVs}}
[[Image:VS8-TigatronBlackarachnia.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Battle of the redecos.]]
*'''Deep Forest Showdown: Tigatron VS Blackwidow''' (VS set, 1997)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''VS-8'''
**''Accessories'': Launcher, 4 leg-missiles

: In Japan, "Blackwidow" was available both as an individual and in a "VS" pack with [[Tigatron]]. Both toys were identical to their individual releases.

{{-}}{{anchor|BWMcD}}
[[Image:Blackarachniamctm.jpg|right|300px|thumb|She's got a great personality.]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Happy Meal, 1997)
**''McNumber'': ??

: Part of the second [[List of Transformers restaurant promotions|McDonald's]] ''Beast Wars'' Happy Meal pack-in, Blackarachnia's "[[Transmetal]]" form rather resembles some sort of dust mite more than a spider, and the robot mode appears to have fallen out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. It has a ''very'' similar transformation to the earlier promotional figure [[Beetle]].

:Like the other two Transmetal Happy Meal figures, Blackarachnia has some metallic-sheened plastic intended to resemble the colored chromed finish of the retail ''Transmetals'' toys.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1998/Predacon/Blackarachnia/blackarachnia.htm More information on McDonald's BW Blackarachnia at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TM2}}
[[Image:BW-toy BlackarachniaTM2.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Covers her privates for great justice/children everywhere!]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Transmetal 2, 1999)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-48'''
**''Accessories'': Mandible grapnel-line

: The Transmetal 2 version of Blackarachnia transforms into a large, organic/mechanical, monstrous spider, featuring a grappling hook, switching [[Insignia|faction symbols]] activated by [[#TriviaTM2spark|rotating her spark crystal around]], and a spring-loaded spin-kick action feature. She also has a half-assed "defense mode", bringing the chromed abdomen bits down to cover her chest. Like all larger Transmetal 2s, Blackarachnia has hints of an abandoned "transport" mode, mainly the free-spinning wheels and concealed rockets in the spider-mode abdomen.

: This toy was initially hard to find at retail, as one of the toy's features, a piece of removable chest armor (no, really), was altered slightly, delaying later shipments.

: This mold was used to make the [[BotCon 2000]] [[exclusive]] [[Arcee (G1)#Toys|Arcee]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1999/Maximal/Blackarachnia/blackarachnia.htm More information on Transmetal 2 Blackarachnia at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Beast Machines===
[[Image:Beast Machines Blackarachnia Toy.JPG|right|300px|thumb|She's definitely going to need a big nail file.]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Deluxe, 2000)

: An early toy in the ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' line, Blackarachnia transforms into a [[technorganic]] spider. In spider mode, squeezing its pedipalps together raises its central fangs; they were spring-loaded to release and lower, respectively. In keeping with the early ''Beast Machines'' "articulated features" motif, her robot mode head has a multi-piece articulated brow, which can slide up to reveal two extra sets of eyes, as she does on the cartoon.

: This mold was later redecoed to make the [[#UniDx|''Universe'' version of Blackarachnia]], as well as [[Crystal Widow]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/Blackarachnia/blackarachnia.htm More information on Beast Machines Blackarachnia at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BMMcD}}
[[Image:Blackarachniamcbm.jpg|right|300px|thumb|This is transformed correctly, right? Right?]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Happy Meal, 2000)
**''McNumber'': ??

: As one of ''ten'' toys in the third Transformers McDonald's Happy Meal promotion, Blackarachnia is a super-simplified version of her retail toy, with a coloration closer to the [[Mainframe Entertainment|Mainframe]] CG model, though more shockingly pink rather than maroon. This toy is designed for the younger set, with softer plastic and no removable parts.

: She is the only [[Beast Era]] character to get two McDonald's Happy Meal toys.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/McBlackarachnia/blackarachnia.htm More information on McDonald's BM Blackarachnia at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BWR}}
[[Image:Blackarachniabeastwarsreturnstoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You will pay a lot of money to own this extra-pink girl <strike>doll</strike>action figure.]]
*'''Blackwidow''' (Deluxe, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BR-04'''

: Part of the Japanese Toys "R" Us-[[exclusive]] ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Wars Returns]]'' series, this toy is a redeco of the original ''Beast Machines'' Blackarachnia in a more show-like maroon coloration. Reportedly, this toy was limited to 3000 pieces, a full thousand ''less'' than the others in the original assortment. Since she was also the most changed from the US release in the initial batch of toys, this made her considerably harder to get.

{{-}}
===Universe (2003)===
{{anchor|UniDx}}
[[Image:Blackarachniauniversetoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|You can pick your faction, and you can pick your girlfriend, but you can't pick your girlfriend's faction.]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Deluxe, 2003)

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Deluxes, Blackarachnia returned as a [[Decepticon]] and as a redeco of [[#BMDx1|the original ''Beast Machines'' figure]]. However, her forearms were [[Misassembly|mistakenly swapped]], leaving her forearm "spikes" pointing up towards her biceps rather than down near her elbows. She received a Decepticon [[Insignia|faction symbol]] over her [[spark crystal]] as well.

: This mold (with the same swapped-forearms error) was used to make [[Crystal Widow]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/Blackarachnia/blackarachnia.htm More information on Universe Blackarachnia at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|UnUni}}
[[Image:Blackarachnia unreleased.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Eyow.]]
*'''Leatherhide Vs. Blackarachnia''' (Halloween Horrorcon value pack, unreleased)
**''Accessories'': Launcher, 4 leg-missiles

:In 2004, a group of test-shots made their way onto eBay, among them a [[redeco]] of the original ''Beast Wars'' Tarantulas/Blackarachnia mold in black with silver spider-legs and salmon-colored robot parts. Later, Hasbro's official website checklist featured listings for two ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' "Halloween [[Horrorcon (Universe)|Horrorcon]] Value Packs" that were to be Wal-Mart [[exclusive]]s... 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'' era.) One of the sets was "[[Leatherhide]] Vs. Blackarachnia"... and thus, the mystery spider was confirmed, as the other test-shots in that group lined up with the name listings given in the sets.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}
===Beast Wars Telemocha Series===
[[Image:Blackarachniatelemocha.jpg|right|300px|thumb|It almost works!]]
*'''Blackwidow''' (Deluxe, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TM-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Launcher, 4 leg-missiles

: As part of the ''[[Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Beast Wars Telemocha]]'' line, the [[#Dx1|original Blackarachnia toy]] was ''extensively'' redecoed with a ridiculous number of gold [[paint operation]]s, making her closer to [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] in coloration than the other versions of the mold, but still not quite there. (Her biceps are silver in the show.) All of the [[gimmick]]s of the original toy were retained, though her alternate head didn't receive any paint that wasn't intended to make her nominal head look more show-accurate.

:She came with a DVD containing "The Assassin Virus", the Japanese dubbing of ''Beast Wars'' episode 10, "[[Gorilla Warfare]]".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Destron/BlackWidow/blackwidow.htm More information on Telemocha Blackarachnia at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Binaltech===
[[Image:Blackwidowwildrider.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Honda wouldn't appreciate their car being hot, poisonous, and deadly.]]
*'''Blackwidow''' (Binaltech, unreleased)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''BT16'''
**''Accessories'': Engine-rifle, roof-shield

: In 2005, the mold used for ''[[Alternators]]'' [[Decepticharge]] was presented as an upcoming release for the Japanese ''Binaltech'' line. They decided to give the toy an entirely new deco, as the Hasbro toy's deco didn't appeal to their ideal of "real-life accuracy". In robot mode, the toy was given a color scheme based on Transmetal 2 Blackarachnia, with the toy's name being changed to "Blackwidow", Takara's name for the character. Though a [[bio]] and story chapter were written to accommodate it into the ''Binaltech'' fiction, and photoshopped images released through an online retailer revealed the intended color scheme, Takara ultimately decided to cancel the toy altogether, as they were fearing that another redeco (in addition to the upcoming ''Binaltech Asterisk'' toys) would be too repetitive. Plans to release this toy as part of a different line were never picked up again.

: This mold was ultimately released in Japan as part of an unexpected ''Binaltech'' continuation, this time as [[Arcee (G1)#Binaltech|Arcee]]. The original version of the mold was used to make ''Alternators'' [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] and ''Binaltech'' [[Overdrive]].
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
* '''Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game''' (1997)
:Blackarachnia 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:Robotheroescheetorblackarachnia.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cute and poisonous.]]
* '''Cheetor vs. Blackarachnia''' (2-pack, 2008)

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]''-branded [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]], Blackarachnia is a simple, yet well-detailed two-inch tall figurine with exaggerated, cartoony proportions. She was only available in a two-pack with [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]].

{{-}}

==Trivia==
[[Image:BWBlackarachniaCardArt.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Dirty girls, make some noise. Move that ass for dirty boys.]]
* Blackarachnia's original Beast Wars card art has her wearing a spike-studded collar... while her chest seems to be leopard-spotted. Kinky.

* Reportedly, Blackarachnia's show model was created after some Mainframe folks had taken the design modeler to a strip club only a few days prior for, um... ''inspiration''. <ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/593687e427efddad Why Blackarachnia Looks Asian] on [[alt.toys.transformers]].</ref>

* Much like her fellow spider [[Tarantulas]], her original beast mode is depicted with ''nine'' eyes rather then eight.

* In the "jovial" Japanese dub of ''Beast Wars'', Blackarachnia's character underwent a few small (depending on your point of view) changes. Firstly, she had a voice that can only be described as "bipolar". She would switch between her usual sultry, flirtatious voice to a screaming blood-thirsty maniac at the drop of a hat. Another notable change is that, while still a strong female character, she was made less independent and was occasionally prone to ''begging for mercy'' from her enemies, something she never did in the English version. However, this isn't the first time the Japanese have done their best to [[Arcee (G1)#The Headmasters cartoon|"improve" upon a female character]].

* The [[:Image:Blackarachniahappymeal.jpg|artwork]] advertising the Transmetal Blackarachnia toy on Happy Meal Bags was rendered with the toy transformed incorrectly. Her beast mode head isn't flipped down, leaving her organic-looking robot mode chest exposed.

{{anchor|TriviaTM2spark}}
* Even though Transmetal 2 Blackarachnia's toy has a unique faction-switching [[spark crystal]], the feature doesn't make sense in a fictional context. By that point in the ''Beast Wars'' television series, the Transmetal Driver had destroyed her Predacon [[shell program]], making her fully Maximal. (Though, to be fair, it ''had'' happened mere moments previously.)

* Blackarachnia exhibited what appears to be telekinesis not long after gaining her Transmetal 2 form, levitating a steel girder to stop Rampage in "[[Master Blaster]]". The ability only appeared once and was never explained, though it resembles the other strange, almost supernatural powers wielded by Transmetals 2 in the cartoon. Following her reformatting in ''Beast Machines'', Blackarachnia no longer possessed this ability.

[[image:Sourcebook1Blackarachnia.jpg|thumb|200px|Woke up in Vegas next to [[BB#Notes|BB]].]]

{{anchor|TriviaBinaltech}}
* Character and fiction information for the cancelled BT-16 "Blackwidow" toy finally emerged in late 2007 with the release of ''The Transformers Binaltech Stories: Profiles and Technical Specifications'', an unofficial publication by ''Binaltech'' story writer [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] that compiled all then-current ''Binaltech'' information as well as that of the unreleased Blackarachnia and [[Ginrai]] toys. As it was never officially released, this information can be considered [[Pseudocanon|pseudocanonical]] at best.

* Blackarachnia is (strangely) depicted solely using a golden orange version of her Transmetal II body in her IDW ''[[Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' profile entry. She received properly colored coverage of all her modes in the trade paperback version.

{{-}}

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Alpha Trion's acolytes]]
[[Category:Alternators]]
[[Category:Beast Machines characters]]
[[Category:Beast Wars characters]]
[[category:Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Fast food exclusives]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Maximals]]
[[Category:Minions of Unicron]]
[[Category:Predacons]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Saboteurs]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]
[[Category:Transmetals 2]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]
[[Category:Universe characters]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Headmaster (Animated)

2010-06-15T17:03:36Z

87.13.36.89: /* Animated cartoon */

{{disambig3|Headmaster}}
:''The Headmaster is a <s>L33T H4x0r</s> [[human]] from the [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Henrymastersonandhead.jpg|right|350px|thumb|All ur face r belong 2 us.]]

The '''Headmaster''' is the alternate identity of '''Henry Masterson''', a disgruntled [[Sumdac Systems]] employee who can take control of robots by replacing their heads with his [[Headmaster unit]]. He's a gigantic dork who plays too many video games and seems to have crossed the line between reality and fiction. His vocabulary is littered with slang from teh internets, with terms like "n00bs" and "Total ownage!"

{{bigquote|TOTAL OWNAGE!|The Headmaster...all the time|"[[Headmaster (episode)|Headmaster]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor'': [[Alexander Polinsky]] (English), [[Alexander Doering]] (German) [[Artur Święs]] {Polish) [[Luca Bottale]] (Italian)

Henry Masterson grew up tinkering with Sumdac Systems robots and got a job as an engineer for them at a relatively young age. His genius caught the attention of his superiors, and he eventually had the honor of presenting his "Headmaster" project, a human-piloted [[Headmaster unit|transforming battle suit]] that could remove and replace the heads of automatons, to [[Isaac Sumdac]] himself. The demonstration went awry when the Headmaster unit proved to be too heavy for his robotic test subject, making it collapse and sending its weaponry towards [[Detroit]]. Sumdac, incensed by Masterson's plans to put his invention to military use, fired him in a fit of Donald Trump-esque rage.

[[Image:Headmastertotalownage.jpg|left|200px|thumb|im in ur body shootn ur doods]]
Masterson apparently absconded with his Headmaster prototype and went off to sulk and play with his Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots. He decided that having his own company would be "wicked sweet", as would exacting his revenge on Sumdac. Needing a robot sturdy enough to support his control unit, he chanced upon a news report on [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]. The emo jerk ambushed and decapitated Bulkhead and subsequently went on a rampage in the Autobot's body.

He demolished several Sumdac [[Police drone|police drones]] en route to a solar power plant. Dubbing himself "the Headmaster", he hijacked local television broadcasts to deliver his ultimatum: Unless he was paid $700 billion, personally delivered by Isaac Sumdac, he would set the [[solar fusion reactor]] to overload, which would result in the obliteration of the entire state of [[Michigan]] (including Masterson himself). Sumdac arrived in a [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|tractor trailer]], accompanied by [[Sari Sumdac|his daughter]], [[Captain Fanzone]], and a [[Bumblebee (Animated)|small]] [[Prowl (Animated)|convoy]] of [[Ratchet (Animated)|vehicles]]. Sumdac offered Henry the money, but the Headmaster grabbed him and announced his intention to take the ransom money and destroy the city of Detroit anyway, then use the threat of future robot attacks to sell his Headmaster units to the military.

[[Image:TFA Headmaster Bulkhead body rampage.JPG|right|200px|thumb|I d00 it for teh lulz!]]
When he checked the trailer for the money, he found only the enraged head of Bulkhead. The convoy of vehicles revealed themselves as the [[Autobot|Autobots]] and engaged the Headmaster in combat. After taking a pounding from them, the Headmaster unleashed the weaponry of his control unit. He managed to corner Optimus Prime and began to slice the Autobot leader's head off. Prevented from doing so thanks to an ambush by Bulkhead's severed head, the Headmaster was soon felled by Prowl. Masterson decided to flee, but his flying Headmaster unit was knocked out of the sky by the still-disembodied Bulkhead. With the Autobots distracted by the overloading reactor, the Headmaster transformed his head unit into robot mode and fled. {{storylink|Headmaster (episode)|Headmaster}}

[[Image:Returnofheadmaster sarisroom.jpg|thumb|left|200px|I'm in ur rom, 0wn!ng ur doods.]]
Once [[Porter C. Powell]] took control of Sumdac Systems, he was quick to rehire Masterson in the interest of reaping that lucrative arms market for which Isaac lacked the taste. Powell gave Masterson Sari's bedroom as his office while in the process of kicking her out of it. Masterson was quick to make himself comfortable and started planning renovations to hook the place up for some major gameage. Powell wasn't about to let his employee just slack around, though, and put him to work on a new Headmaster Unit project, even giving him [[Tutor Bot]] and [[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]] to outfit with smaller Units and laser-shooting upgrades.

The Headmaster wanted more than just little bots to tinker with, however, and stole [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]]'s body, upgrading it as well. He would have gotten away with it, but Optimus managed to track him down, defeat Sentinel's possessed body, and take the Headmaster to justice. At least, he was ''almost'' brought to justice, until Powell showed up and wriggled his employee out of a legal loophole. {{storylink|The Return of the Headmaster}}

Furious that his Headmaster unit had been absconded with, Masterson was unintimidated when Sari returned to [[Sumdac Tower]] with Isaac in tow, informing the Sumdacs that the Autobots would return his Headmaster unit to him or "heads would roll". At which point Optimus Prime picked him up from behind and asked for clarification on whose heads would be rolling. Furious at their actions while running the company, Isaac Sumdac immediately fired both Porter C. Powell and Henry Masterson.

[[Image:TFA TransWarped Masterson captured.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Say it with us, folks: "T0t4l 0wn4g3!"]]
Enraged that he had been fired again, Masterson tracked his Headmaster unit to the mine, where he discovered [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]]'s body, ready to be taken over. After a brief fight with Bulkhead the next day, Masterson returned to Detroit, then listened in on Isaac Sumdac's phone calls. Learning that Sumdac was heading to meet Sari at [[Burger Bot]], Masterson ambushed the "happy family", only to be interuppted by Optimus Prime again. A struggle followed, destroying the Burger Bot in the process. Finally, Prime taunted Masterson into transforming, saying that a "n00b" like him might have trouble with it. Screaming that nobody called him a "n00b", Masterson initiated a transformation, only for his Headmaster unit to be crushed and popped off Starscream's body when it began. As Starscream's body flew into the river, Masterson was captured by Optimus Prime and turned over to the police. {{storylink|TransWarped}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Animated''===
{{main|Headmaster unit}}

==Notes==
* The Headmaster is the first ''Animated'' supervillain to escape capture by the end of his first episode. Guess he isn't a ''total'' loser.

* Headmaster seems to be the Transformers equivalent of [[wikipedia:Control Freak (villain)|Control Freak]] from the [[wikipedia:Teen Titans (TV series)|Teen Titans cartoon]], even having the same voice actor, [[Derrick Wyatt|creator]], and similar manner of speaking. Although Headmaster's peculiarities are centered around computers, Control Freak's were centered around television.

* He's the only human villain to return in the third season of ''Animated'' (as long as you don't actually consider Powell a villain, as he was doing legal, legitimate business).

* Masterson is every phony Internet tough guy you've ever met.

[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Engineers]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Supervillains]]