Editing Blackarachnia (BW)/toys

{{suite}}

If you have a fembot spider-former toy, it is most certainly one of '''Blackarachnia'''.

==Toys==
===''Beast Wars''===
{{anchor|Dx1}}
[[File:Blackarachniabwtoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|When she chokes you she can taste your fear.]]
[[File:BW-toy BlackarachniaTakara.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Well, she's not... ''less'' show-accurate?]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Deluxe, 1996/1997)
**''Takara ID number'': '''D-8'''
**''Accessories'': Launcher, 4 leg-missiles

:Part of the third wave of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Deluxes, Blackarachnia is a [[redeco]] of the [[Tarantulas (BW)#Toys|Tarantulas]] mold, transforming into a rather generic-looking organic spider. She features a removable spring-loaded launcher hidden in her beast mode abdomen, which can be "held" in her claws by plugging it into holes in her forearms. This launcher nominally fires the "grappling hook" attached to Blackarachnia's abdomen by a string, but it can also fire her front four beast mode legs, designed to be removed and used as ammunition. Like all first-year ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Deluxes, the robot mode head has both a "robot" face and a [[mutant head|"mutant" face]]; Blackarachnia has always been depicted in fiction using the "robot" one (or a rough approximation thereof).

:The [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] release of the toy (coincidentally also in the third wave of the Takara line) 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. Japanese catalogues showed a figure with a gold face and black eyes; it is unknown why this was changed for the released figure.

: This toy has the distinction of being the first toy of a [[female Transformer]] released at retail by Hasbro, though she was neither the first retail female ''Transformers'' toy ever, or even the first female ''Transformers'' toy released by Hasbro, having been beaten to both by [[Minerva (Masterforce human)#Toys|Minerva]] (by Takara in 1988) and [[Nightracer (G2)#Toys|Nightracer]] (a [[BotCon 1995]] [[exclusive]]) respectively.

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

{{-}}{{anchor|BWJVs}}
[[File:VS8-TigatronBlackarachnia.jpg|upright=1.66|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  "Deep Forest Showdown" (密林の対決, ''mitsurin no taiketsu'') two-pack with [[Tigatron#Toys|Tigatron]]. Both toys were identical to their individual releases.

{{-}}{{anchor|BWMcD}}
[[File:Blackarachniamctm.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|She's got a great personality.]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Happy Meal promotion, 1998)
**''McNumber'': '''5'''

:Part of the second [[McDonald's]] ''Beast Wars'' Happy Meal pack-in, Blackarachnia's "[[Transmetal]]" form resembles some sort of dust mite more than a spider, though it does have a black widow-esque hour-glass shape on the abdomen. It has a ''very'' similar transformation to the earlier promotional figure [[Beetle#Toys|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}}
[[File:BW-toy BlackarachniaTM2.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|'Sup, bra.]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Transmetal 2, 1999)
**''Takara ID number'': '''C-48'''
**''Accessories'': Mandible grapnel-line

: The second of two [[Transmetal 2]] Megas released in ''Beast Wars'', this version of Blackarachnia transforms into a large, monstrous organic/mechanical spider. Her thorax features a [[Insignia|faction symbol]]-switching gimmick activated by [[#Notes|rotating her spark crystal around]]. In robot mode, her beast-mode mandibles separate to form a [[Retractable string gimmick|grappling hook with retractable string]], plus she has a spring-loaded spin-kick action feature that rotates her entire lower body around. 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. There is no discernible way for the wheels to perform their function as wheels, however.

: 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 2001]] [[exclusive]] [[Arcee (G1)/toys#BotCon2001|Arcee]].

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

===''Beast Machines''===
[[File:Beast Machines Blackarachnia Toy.JPG|upright=1.66|thumb|In ''Beast Machines,'' Silverbolt doubled his bird and so did she.]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Deluxe, 2000)

:An early toy in the ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (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#Toys|Crystal Widow]].

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

{{-}}{{anchor|BMMcD}}
[[File:Blackarachniamcbm.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|This is transformed correctly, right? Right?]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Happy Meal, 2000)
**''McNumber'': '''6'''

: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]''
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
{{anchor|UniDx}}
[[File:Blackarachniauniversetoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|You can pick your faction, and you can pick your girlfriend, but you can't pick your girlfriend's faction.]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Deluxe Class, 2003)

:Part of the second wave of ''[[Transformers: 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}}
[[File:Blackarachnia unreleased.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Eyow.]]
*'''Leatherhide Vs. Blackarachnia''' (Halloween Horrorcon value pack, <s>200?</s>)
**''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 ''[[Transformers: 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 (Universe)|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.
::*''[http://s33.photobucket.com/user/binalternator/library/unreleased/halloween_horrorcons?sort=4&page=1 Gallery of Halloween Horrorcon test-shots]''

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Returns''===
{{anchor|BWR}}
[[File:Blackarachniabeastwarsreturnstoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|What a maroon.]]
*'''Blackwidow''' (Deluxe, [[November 18]], [[2004]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BR-04'''

: Part of the Japanese Toys "R" Us-[[exclusive]] ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (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.
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars Telemocha Series''===
[[File:Blackarachniatelemocha.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It almost works!]]
*'''Blackwidow''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TM-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Launcher, 4 leg-missiles

:As part of the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Beast Wars Telemocha]]'' line, the [[#Dx1|original Deluxe Class 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 shoulders 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''===
[[File:Blackwidowwildrider.jpg|upright=1.4|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 sculpt used for ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' [[Decepticharge#Toys|Decepticharge]] was presented as an upcoming release for the Japanese ''Binaltech'' line. Takara 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 then upcoming ''Binaltech Asterisk'' toys) would be too repetitive. Plans to release this toy as part of a different line were never picked up again. A prototype of Blackwidow was later featured in an exhibit at Transformers Expo in 2014.<ref name="tfexpo1">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tf-expo-pics-masterpiece-star-saber-in-color-and-more-180923/ "TF Expo Pics - Masterpiece Star Saber In Color and More!"] at TFW2005.</ref><ref name="tfexpo2">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tf-expo-pics-part-2-g1-prototypes-movie-props-and-more-masterpiece-180925/ "TF Expo Pics Part 2 - G1 Prototypes, Movie Props, and More Masterpiece!"] at TFW2005.</ref><ref name="tfexpo3">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tf-expo-pics-part-4-prototypes-and-figure-displays-from-diaclone-g1-g2-beast-wars-180933/ "TF Expo Pics Part 4 - Prototypes and Figure Displays from Diaclone, G1, G2, Beast Wars"] at TFW2005.</ref>

:This sculpt was ultimately released in Japan as part of an unexpected ''Binaltech'' continuation, this time as [[Arcee (G1)/toys#Binaltech|Arcee]]. The original version of the mold was used to make ''Alternators'' [[Windcharger (G1)#Alternators|Windcharger]] and ''Binaltech'' [[Overdrive#Binaltech|Overdrive]]. It was also planned to become a new toy of the [[Paradron Medic#Binaltech|Paradron Medic]], but that also got canceled.
{{AlternatorsWindchargerMold}}
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy Blackarachnia.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Decepticon Blackarachnia''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2014)
**''Collection'': '''''Age of Extinction'' Collection 2'''
**''Accessories'': Logo brick, scoped pistol

: Part of the sixth assortment of [[blindpacking|blind-bagged]] ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Micro-Changer]]s, Blackarachnia is a [[Kreon]] mini-figure that can be rebuilt into a (four-legged) black widow spider. She sports [[Ironhide (Kre-O)|Ironhide's]] helmet.

:Unlike prior Micro-Changer assortments, this series does not have any sort identification code for the bags' actual contents, meaning you'd best be good at the feel-though-the-bag method.

:This assortment was originally slated to be a [[Toys"R"Us|ToysЯUs]] [[exclusive]], but US stores dropped the line before its release. It was still available in Canada, Australia, and Hasbro Asia's markets. In 2015, the Collection appeared in US Dollar Tree stores, with a price tag of a whopping $1 a pop. They didn't last long.

{{-}}

===''Animated''===
[[File:Blackarachniaanimateddeluxe.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Blackarachnia''' (Deluxe Class, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TA-09'''
**''Accessories'': Grapnel-hook
{{note|''Animated'' [[Blackarachnia (Animated)#Toys|Blackarachnia]] was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as the original Blackarachnia in the [[2005 IDW continuity]].}}

:''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' Blackarachnia transforms into a mechanical spider with some organic aesthetic. Many of her pointier parts are [[For safety reasons|molded in softer plastic]] to keep unfortunate children from putting their eyes out. She comes with a <span class="plainlinks">[http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/grapnel grapnel]</span> [[Retractable string gimmick|hook accessory]]. This is spring-loaded, with a jointed claw at the end of it. Pressing a button causes it to retract along the string. It may be mounted under her abdomen in spider mode or on her back in robot mode, via two different sets of pegs. There is also a peg hole in each wrist, for [[Spider-Man|web-slinging]] action.

:The spider's head is mis-transformed in the package, making the first step of her instructions initially confusing. Furthermore, the pedipalps will easily come off if manipulated too much, and her transformation requires that they be turned around completely. Because of this, they will often fall off ... over and over and ''over''...

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/Blackarachnia/blackarachnia.htm More information on Blackarachnia at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:Legendstoy-Blackwidow.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|On the "Important Blackarachnia Anatomy" hierarchy, apparently "boobs" outrank "torso."]]
*'''Blackwidow''' ('''Blackarachnia''') ([[October 24]], [[2015]])
**''ID number:'' '''LG17'''
:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Blackwidow is a retool of ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' [[Blackarachnia (Animated)#Animated|Blackarachnia]]. The tooling changes include a new head, a new chest/spider eye cluster, and new, larger pedipalps that form her breastplate in robot mode...albeit made of translucent plastic. (Her pedipalps resemble the kind found on ''male'' spiders, incidentally. Oh dear.) Her official robot mode transformation leaves her robot arms half-transformed, with the spider leg tips unrotated, to more closely resemble the original Blackarachnia's claw-arms. 

:Because her pedipalps are no longer filling in her stomach area, she now has a tiny, ''tiny'' waist. Considerably more annoying is that her torso is misassembled such that pushing up her chest/spider eye cluster into the correct position for robot mode (and thus avoiding her having a gaping hole in her chest) is considerably more difficult than it should be.
{{-}}

===''Masterpiece''===
*'''Megatron (Beast Wars)''' ([[March 30]], [[2019]])
**''Japanese ID number'': '''MP-43'''
:In one of [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Masterpeice|Megatron]]'s hidden voice clips, one of Ryōka Yuzuki's voice clips as Blackwidow was reused.

[[File:MP 46 Blackwidow.jpg|thumb|450px|The robot's mode is real good, but the spider mode....]]
*'''Blackwidow (Beast Wars)''' ([[November 23|11-23]]-[[2019]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-46'''
**''Accessories:'' Smiling face, screaming face, visor, visor cable, "Poison Anchor", Anchor missile, Anchor missile with cord, base, arm, spider web, robot mode spider web adapter, spider mode spider web adapter
:First shown in grayscale prototype form at Winter Wonder Festival 2019, this ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' Blackwidow is a brand new animation-accurate mold, depicting her original, pre-Transmetal beast form. She transforms into a show-accurate black widow spider and features multiple accessories, including her trademark anchor missile launcher (which converts into a panel for the rear of her spider mode), a missile for the projectile and an alternate version with a cord, 2 faces for robot mode, a visor and cable, a giant energon spider web and adapters to attach her in both modes. Blackwidow's engineering means that she lacks any major traces of unwanted kibble, and for the pleasure of display owners is incredibly posable. She is also one of the smaller ''Masterpiece'' figures, and is smaller than her fellow ''Beast Wars'' castmates. In a slightly intimate display of design her breasts have some ''very faint protrusions''.

:Care should be taken especially when handling the spider legs of the figure as the tips are known to chip off. 

:Per the brand unification of TakaraTomy and Hasbro, Blackwidow will be directly released with no changes by [[Hasbro Pulse]] in the United States and Canada.

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
[[File:Blackarachniamutatingcard.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''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''===
[[File:Robotheroescheetorblackarachnia.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Cute and poisonous.]]
*'''Cheetor vs. Blackarachnia''' (2-pack, 2008)
:Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: 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#Robot Heroes|Cheetor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Predacon/Blackarachnia/blackarachnia.htm More information on ''Robot Heroes'' Blackarachnia at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:BWBlackarachniaCardArt.jpg|upright=1.1|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.
*The [[:File: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.
*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.)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators Decepticons]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Maximals]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Predacons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]
[[Category:Kre-O Predacons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Predacons]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:McDonald's exclusives]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]