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'''Blackarachnia''' ('''Blackwidow''' in Japan) is a [[fictional character]] from the [[Transformers]] series. She has appeared as a star or supporting character in various forms in several of the animated television series and comics from that franchise. She is a female transformer who turns into a spider and was the first reoccurring female Transformer villain in the series. She has been portrayed as both a villainess and heroine, and is usually a romantic interest to one of the heroes in the series. The original Blackarachnia appeared in the 1996 ''[[Beast Wars]]'' animated series where she was voiced by [[Venus Terzo]]. She continued on to the 1999 ''[[Beast Machines]]'' sequel series and end up in the ''[[Transformers: Universe]]'' comics. A new version of Blackarachnia would be created for the 2007 television series ''[[Transformers Animated]]'', while a third version of the character would be created for the ''[[Transformers: Timelines]]'' comic book series.  

==Beast Wars==
{{Infobox character|
 name           = Blackarachnia
|japanname      =Black Widow
|image          = blackarachnia-beastwars.jpg
|caption        = Blackarachnia in the ''Beast Wars'' animated series
|affiliation    = Decepticon/Maximal/Predacon
|subgroup       = Deluxe Beasts, Transmetal II
|function       = Double Agent, Saboteur
|partner        =
|motto          = ''"I use deception for the purpose of good- I use it a lot."'' (Beast Wars)<br>''"It is a double pleasure to deceive the deceiver."'' (Beast Machines)
|alternatemodes = [[Latrodectus hesperus|Western Black Widow Spider]], Transmetal II Spider, Technorganic Spider
|series         =''[[Beast Wars]]'' <br> ''[[Beast Machines]]'' <br> ''[[Transformers: Universe]]''
|engvoice        = [[Venus Terzo]]<ref>Encyclopedia of television shows, 1925 through 2007: Volume 1 by Vincent Terrace, 2009, page 126</ref>
|japanvoice        = [[Ryoka Yuzuki]]
|gender         = Female
}}
Blackarachnia is a former Maximal turned Predacon. She can become a spider.<ref>{{Cite book | title=Transformers: The Fantasy, The Fun, The Future| last=Brereton | first=Erin | year=2006 | publisher=Triumph Books| ISBN=1572439831 | page= 29}}</ref>

She is known for saying "''Even when I'm good, I'm still bad.''" <ref>The Christ Literalist: Complete Quotes from the World's Most Renowned Revoutionary By Lou Meza page 148</ref>

Originally, this character was intended to be a quick retool of the Tarantulas toy, but the animators ended up giving Blackarachnia a very feminine design and shapely figure based on an exotic dancer.<ref>DVD commentary</ref>

The first toy of Blackarachnia again did not resemble the character in the television series (whose design takes it to the full extent of her "Exotic Dancer" look) - although the toy was recolored to more closely resemble the television model in its Japanese release. Also, a kids meal toy was released which looked more like the television model.

===Reception===
Blackarachnia was voted one of the top robot characters that does not look like her toy by Topless Robots.<ref>http://www.toplessrobot.com/2008/10/the_9_transformers_toys_who_looked_nothing_like_th.php</ref>

Blackarachnia was named the 4th worst upgrade in Beast Wars history [[Topless Robot]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.toplessrobot.com/2011/11/the_5_best_and_5_worst_upgrades_in_beast_wars_hist.php |title=The 5 Best (and 5 Worst) Upgrades In Beast Wars History |author=T.J. Dietsch | date=November 14th, 2011}}</ref>

===Animated series===
====Beast Wars====
During the ''Beast Wars'' series, she was originally a [[Maximals (Transformers)|Maximal]] protoform, but her stasis pod was captured by the [[Predacon (Transformers)|Predacon]]s and was fitted with a Predacon shell program and reprogrammed by [[Tarantulas (Transformers)|Tarantulas]] as a Predacon spy and saboteur. Her beast form is a [[latrodectus|black widow spider]].<ref>Jet: Volume 112</ref>

The stasis pod containing Blackarachnia was launched into Earth orbit in the Beast Wars series pilot. <ref>{{Cite episode |title= Beast Wars Part 1|episodelink=List of Beast Wars episodes |series= Beast Wars|serieslink=Beast Wars |credits=Written by Bob Forward |network= First-run syndication|station= |airdate=September 16, 1996 |season= 1|number= 1}}</ref>

Blackarachnia has some skills in mechanics and science but still second to Tarantulas. In season one she largely assisted Tarantulas in his machinations. However, if Tarantulas was expecting a loyal servant and consort, he was sorely disappointed. Blackarachnia proved as ambitious as any Predacon, with no loyalty to anyone save herself. Although she initially served with a pretense of loyalty, this changed when a floating island (created by the [[Vok]]) was discovered, Blackarachnia would betray [[Scorponok#Beast Wars|Scorponok]], taking over the island for herself and planning first to use its firepower to destroy the Maximal Base, then take over the Predacons. The efforts of [[Tigatron]] and [[Airazor]] stopped her. But Blackarachnia’s ambition had just begun.<ref>{{Cite book| title=Transformers: The Ultimate Guide | last=Furman | first=Simon | year=2004 | publisher=DK Publishing Inc.| ISBN=1405304618 | page= 86}}</ref>

Later, the spark of the ancient [[Decepticon]] [[Starscream]] possessed [[Waspinator]]. Predictably plotting to betray [[Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Megatron]], Starscream taught her the ways of treachery - a move that backfired when Blackarachnia betrayed him, leaving him to be defeated by [[Optimus Primal]]. <ref>{{Cite episode |title= Possession|episodelink=List of Beast Wars episodes |series= Beast Wars|serieslink=Beast Wars |credits=Written by Ian Weir |network= First-run syndication|station= |airdate=February 3, 1997 |season= 1|number= 21}}</ref>

When the Vok returned to Earth, Blackarachnia forged an alliance with Tarantulas to capture a stasis pod from the Maximals and escape the planet; however they were both unaware this was exactly what Megatron wanted.  The Predacon leader sent [[Inferno (Transformers)|Inferno]] to kill them, so that the Maximal would capture the reconverted pod. Blackarachnia managed to defeat Inferno, but Tarantulas was killed in the fight. She attempted to access Tarantulas' mind to find the data needed to operate the Pod, only for his consciousness to enter her body.

After talking her way out of being killed by Megatron for her treachery, she was briefly possessed by Tarantulas, who forced her to return his spark to his newly [[Transmetals|transmetallized]] body. Maintaining the link, Tarantulas forced her to access Megatron's files on the two Golden Discs. However, she betrayed him, waiting until Tarantulas had been immobilized by the Maximals dropping a boulder on him to download the files for herself. Neither Megatron nor Tarantulas ever trusted her fully after this: in the episode "Bad Spark" Megatron discreetly planted a surveillance device on her, while Tarantulas was willing to use her as a living shield against Maximal fire.<ref>{{Cite episode |title= Bad Spark|episodelink=List of Beast Wars episodes |series= Beast Wars|serieslink=Beast Wars |credits=Written by Greg Johnson |network= First-run syndication|station= |airdate=September 16, 1996 |season= 2|number= 8}}</ref>

Eventually, Blackarachnia began a relationship with the Maximal [[Silverbolt (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Silverbolt]], who continually tried to bring her over to the side of good. She first encountered him when she was setting up an energon mining post with Tarantulas and [[Quickstrike]], and was stunned at how he refused to destroy her simply on the grounds that she was a female unit. It was also at that time that she managed to force Tarantulas to sever the link by threatening to kill herself with an energon cube, taking him down with her if he didn't comply to her demands.

Blackarachina and Silverbolt spent their first significant amount of time together when the Predacons and Maximals fought over [[Rampage (Transformers)|Rampage]]'s pod; although she had goaded him into trying to fight her as she attacked him, Blackarachnia was attacked by Tarantulas, and Tarantulas in turn was attacked and struck down by Silverbolt, who then helped Blackarachnia to her feet. Unfortunately, Silverbolt slammed Tarantulas into the pod, which was lying in a bank of energon crystals, and the force of the throw caused an explosion that scattered the combatants and left the two equally damaged and in need of contacting their respective bases. So together they traveled to a mountain that was above the energon interference. Along the way, Silverbolt saved Blackarachnia again from a saber-toothed cat, even though she was about to shoot him in the back. Intrigued by his actions again, she decided to keep him alive after that, unaware that Megatron and the other Predacons were listening in. Their journey ended when Optimus Primal and Cheetor arrived in time to help them fight Rampage (then still called Protoform X), and Silverbolt, forcing his damaged wing mechanism to work, save her from seemingly falling to her demise. This proved to be only the beginning of their rocky relationship. The two spent a night together, which resulted in a kiss.

For a long time Blackarachnia resisted Silverbolt's attempts to reform her (based on his assessment that as a Maximal protoform, she possessed inherent goodness). She even told him that it was her bad girl persona that he liked most about her, and simply used him. He did seem to bring out a more altruistic side of her however, and she was often genuinely surprised at just how much he cared about her. Having come from the violent, treacherous and often abusive world of the Predacons, the kindness and unconditional love Blackarachnia received from Silverbolt seemed very alien to her, and she found returning it difficult, often resorting to displaying her affection buried underneath her [[sardonic]] sense of humor. She used him to acquire parts for her converted stasis pod. When she realized that Megatron was sending Waspinator to the location of ''[[Ark (Transformers)|The Ark]]'', she followed him, only to be waylaid by Silverbolt again. The two worked together to gain access to ''The Ark'', only to have Megatron arrive and threaten Silverbolt's life to force Blackarachnia to allow him entrance. Upon gaining entrance, Megatron then shot the Autobot Leader Optimus Prime in the head, causing a timestorm that threatened to destabilize all of history.

Blackarachnia officially switched sides in the first episode of the third season when Megatron attempted to change history by killing [[Optimus Prime]], a change which would have resulted in Blackarachnia and the other Maximal protoforms never being created, or even existing. Although still calling herself a Predacon (and not yet changing her activation code), she worked on the same side as the Maximals from this point on, even though none of them besides Silverbolt fully trusted her. She had a few misadventures during this time, including when she and [[Dinobot]]'s Transmetal II clone hunted each other.

Envying the power Cheetor and the Dinobot clone gained from the [[Transmetal Driver]], Blackarachnia acquired it for herself and tried to remake herself into a Transmetal II, but it failed and caused her Predacon shell program to start to fail, something that would eventually wipe her core clean; now she had no choice but to have her Predacon programming purged, which would finally have made her a Maximal. While Rhinox tried to save her, Tarantulas' meddling apparently brought about her death, but the driver brought her back to life as a Transmetal Maximal while still retaining some of her bad girl personality and sardonic sense of humor, and finally changing her activation code. For some unexplained reason, Blackarachnia gained telekinetic or magnetic powers in her Transmetal II form (although it is a probability from being exposed to the Transmetal Driver). After stopping Tarantulas' attempts to destroy ''The Ark'', Blackarachnia would return to Cybertron with the other Maximals after Megatron's final defeat.

====Beast Machines====
Blackarachnia was one of eight characters to survive ''Beast Wars'' and go on to the ''Beast Machines'' series.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Third Edition|last=Lenburg|first=Jeff|year=2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|ISBN=978-0-8160-6599-8|page=441}}</ref> At this point, she underwent a sort of "role-reversal," and she spent a great deal of time looking for her love Silverbolt and freeing him from his Vehicon alter ego: [[Jetstorm (Beast Machines)|Jetstorm]].<REF>http://www.mania.com/beast-machines_article_23394.html</REF>

On the way back to Cybertron Megatron escaped into Transwarp Space, and arrived on Cybertron years before the Maximals. Megatron conquered [[Cybertron]], and when the Maximals arrived he captured [[Silverbolt (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Silverbolt]] and [[Rhinox]] and removed their sparks. Optimus Primal, [[Rattrap (Transformers)|Rattrap]], Cheetor and Blackarachnia escaped, but were infected with a transformation blocking virus which stripped them of their Transmetal enhancements and left them slowly dying in beast mode, suffering from memory loss. Fleeing deep within Cybertron Optimus Primal was contacted by The Oracle and was reformatted into a technorganic form which then reformatted his companions.

In an attempt to learn what had happened on Cybertron the Maximals raided the Cybertron Archives, but found it empty. Megatron's diagnostic drone continued to remove the organic elements from Megatron's body, however it continued to fail. Blackarachnia started to have visions of Silverbolt when she was in robot mode. Frustrated with how the Maximals were eluding his drones, Megatron used the sparks of Rhinox, Silverbolt and Waspinator to create the [[Vehicon]] Generals [[Tankor]], [[Jetstorm (Beast Machines)|Jetstorm]] and [[Thrust (Beast Machines)|Thrust]], respectively. Rattrap and Blackarachnia first encountered the three Vehicon Generals when looking for their ship, the Autobot shuttle Omega Delta, at a spaceport. Rattrap discovered that the Vehicons could only track the Maximals in robot mode. When Blackarachnia accessed the shuttle records in an attempt to learn what happened when they arrived on Cybertron, Megatron attempted to read her memories and learn the location of the Maximal Base, but Rattrap saved her from revealing the information. Cornered by the Vehicon Generals, Optimus Primal and Cheetor rescued their comrades but the shuttle was destroyed.

As the first season progressed, Blackarachnia and Thrust formed an interesting relationship. Blackarachnia believed Thrust was her beloved Silverbolt, but when she was able to look into his spark, she discovered Thrust was actually Waspinator and Jetstorm was Silverbolt. Thrust and Jetstorm battled briefly over who Blackarachnia loved but they quickly reverted back to their evil selves.

Rattrap invented a device which combined a spark extractor with a DNA scanner he planned to use it to restore Transformers into their bodies. Blackarachnia stole this device and together with the organic core of Cybertron and a nearby fossil reformatted Jetstorm into Silverbolt, now a techno-organic Maximal.

Unfortunately, Silverbolt's mind had become fully aware and conscious whilst Jetstorm was active, and the fact that he'd been able not only to commit such atrocities but also enjoy them had left him with a darker personality, no longer as close to his beloved as he had originally been out of mixed-guilt. He refused to resume his relationship with Blackarachnia, claiming he wanted to end the conflict with Megatron first and that the relationship would only get in the way. This greatly annoyed Blackarachnia, who had to go through many dangers to bring him back.

After the defeat of Megatron the planet Cybertron was left reformatted into a techno-organic world. Silverbolt's old, chivalrous personality seemed to reassert itself and he finally rekindled his romance with Blackarachnia. Blackarachnia and Silverbolt were about to kiss, but were interrupted by an angry Waspinator - who was promptly swatted by Rattrap.

===Comics===
====3H Enterprises====
Blackarachnia was one of the stars of the 1997 [[BotCon]] Convention Comics, a story set near the end of season one of the ''Beast Wars'' television series.

In the Convention Comics plot, [[Inferno (Transformers)|Inferno]] and Blackarachnia watched as the Predacon scientist Fractyl attempted to invent Energon Armor capable of protecting them from energon build up. Although seemingly successful, the armor was stolen by the Maximal thief Packrat. Blackarachnia and Fractyl realized the energon armor was flawed and could destroy the planet if it came in contact with large amounts of energon. Inferno pursued Packrat, but since Packrat didn't need to assume beast mode with the armor on, he got the upper hand in the fight with Inferno. Hearing the battle, [[Airazor]], [[Cheetor]] and [[Rhinox]] joined Packrat. Fractyl convinced Rhinox that the armor was a threat to them all. Rhinox was able to talk Packrat into giving up the armor, which Fractyl aided them in doing. When Blackarachnia arrived with [[Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Megatron]], Packrat suggested that Fractyl pretend to be attacking the Maximals, who fled. Megatron was impressed with Fractyl's new found battle prowess.

In ''Transformers: Universe'', Blackarachnia is converted to the Decepticon side and joins forces with [[Unicron]], as Silverbolt once again attempts to return her to the side of good.

Celebrating with the other Maximals on Cybertron Blackarachnia was on hand to welcome a group of ancient Autobot heroes back to Cybertron. However, the celebrations were cut short when the entire group was abducted by [[Unicron]] and forced to compete in his barbaric games. Reformatted into new bodies by the Chaos-Bringer, the taint went more than skin-deep in Blackarachnia's case, as she now defected to the [[Decepticon]]s (the servants of Unicron), much to Silverbolt's horror. As he had before, Silverbolt vowed to free her from the influence of evil, even as she attacked [[Rattrap (Transformers)|Rattrap]].

Although ''Universe'' finished after issue #3, a resolution of sorts would be found in the flashbacks of [[Optimus Prime (Robots in Disguise)|Optimus Prime]] in issue 8 of the Transformers Collectors Club magazine ''Cybertron/Robots in Disguise''. He told of the final battle between Optimus Primal's Autobots and Unicron's Decepticons - a battle cut short when Unicron disappeared (as a result of the events in ''[[Transformers: Energon]]''). In the flashback Silverbolt is seen carrying Blackarachnia as they all retreat, but it is unknown if this means she switched back to the Autobot/Maximal side.<REF>{{Cite comic| writer =[[Forest Lee]] and [[Dan Khanna]] | penciller =[[Forest Lee]] | inker = | story = | title = [[Transformers: Cybertron: Balancing Act]]| volume = 1| issue = 1| date = April 2007| publisher = IDW Publishing| location = | page = | panel = | id =}}</REF>

====Fun Publications====
White Propionica was featured in the script reading story for the event - once again voiced by Venus Turzo - where she reported to [[Hot Rod (Transformers)|Hot Rod]] regarding [[Megatron (Beast Wars)|Megatron]]'s sabotage of the Plasma Energy Reactor.

====IDW Publishing====
White Propionica appeared in the BotCon 2016 story ''[[Transformers: Dawn of the Predacus]]'', where she appears on Cybertron with Air Hammer after the end of the Great War.<REF>{{Cite comic | writer = [[John-Paul Bove]] | artist = [[Corin Howell]] | title = Transformers: Dawn of the Predacus | date = March 2016 | publisher = IDW Publishing | location =  | url=}}</REF> 

Blackarachnia had a biography printed in the ''Beast Wars Sourcebook'' by [[IDW Publishing]].<ref>http://www.monstersandcritics.com/books/comics/news/article_1343405.php/Creators_of_Transformers_Beast_Wars_The_Gathering_are_back</ref>

====TFcon comics====
Blackarachnia also appeared in the TransformersCon 2006 program comic, where she was working together with Tarantulas during season two of the ''Beast Wars''.

[[image:Daysofwreckeningprelude5.jpg|right|thumb|240px|Quickstrike, Blackarachnia and Waspinator discover the Constructicons Bonecrusher, Hook and Mixmaster in ''Dark of Wreckening'']]
Blackarachnia appears in the [[TFcon]] 2012 live script reading ''[[Days of Wreckening]]''. In this story Blackarachnia, Quickstrike and Waspinator discover three Constructicons on prehistoric Earth and are confronted by the Maximals and Wreckers .<REF>{{Cite comic| writer = [[Phillip M. Gervais]] | penciller = Ninjatron| story = Days of Wreckening |title = TFcon Live Script Reading Prelude Comic| date = July 25th, 2012| publisher = TFcon| url=http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tfcon-2012-live-script-reading-prelude-comic-175574/ }}</REF>

[[image:grabandgoprelude6.jpg|left|thumb|240px|Ultra Magnus, Rodimus Prime, Roswell, Van Guardian and Blackarachnia in ''Grab and Go'' prelude]]
Blackarachnia appeared in the TFcon 2013 live script reading [[Grab and Go]].

===Games===
Blackarachnia is a hidden playable character in the [[Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals]] video game.<ref>The ultimate gamers codebook: 27,000 codes, 2,500 games : covers all consoles, Prima Development, 2004, page 222</ref>

*[http://mattcave.fcpages.com/PDFs/BLACKARA.pdf Hero 4th Edition role playing game character sheet for ''Beast Wars'' Blackarachnia]

===Other media===
Blackarachnia appeared in ''Lil Formers'' #93, "Fembots" by Matt Moylan, where she co-hosted a television talk show series.<REF>http://www.lilformers.com/index.php/2008/04/07/lil-formers-93-fembots/</REF>

===Toys===
* '''''Beast Wars'' Deluxe Blackarachnia'''
:Although sold by herself by Hasbro, Takara sold Blackarachnia by herself or packaged together with [[Tigatron]]. This figure was one of the first female Transformers figures available at retail.<ref>Jet Magazine July 16, 2007, page 64</ref><ref>http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2004/11/9/features/20041108160036&sec=features A brief history of the Transformer by MICHAEL CHEANG Tuesday November 9, 2004</ref><ref>{{Cite book | title=The Unofficial Guide to Transformers 1980s Through 1990s Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition | last=Alvarez | first=J.E. | year=2001 | publisher=Schiffer Publishing Ltd.| ISBN=0764313649 | page=121}}</ref>

*'''''Beast Wars'' McDonalds Transmetal Blackarachnia'''
:Although a Transmetal version of Blackarachnia was sold with [[Happy Meals]], Blackarachnia did not become a [[Transmetals|Transmetal]] in the beginning of the second season of the ''Beast Wars'' television series like some other characters did, probably because of the limited resources of the show animators.

*'''''Beast Wars'' Transmetal 2 Blackarachnia'''
:This toy was later redecoed into BotCon Arcee.<REF>http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/Transformers_Beast_Wars_Blackarachnia_Transmetals.pdf</REF>

*'''''Beast Machines'' Deluxe Blackarachnia'''
:A Deluxe class mold.<ref>http://www.bwtf.com/toyreviews/bm/blackarachnia/</ref><REF>http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/Transformers_Heroic_Maximal_Blackarachnia.pdf</REF>  Later redecoed in Japan to have more show accurate colors.
:This figure was based on drawings by [[Hasbro]] designer [[Tim Bradley (toy designer)|Tim Bradley]].<ref>[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-gallery/corporate-companies/286/corporate-companies/Tim+Bradley+-+Hasbro+Product+Design.html Transformers - More Than Meets The Eye, Robots In Disguise - Transformers @ The Moon - www.transformertoys.co.uk<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The toy of Blackarachnia was recolored as the Autobot [[Crystal Widow]], a separate and different character.

*'''''Beast Machines'' Happy Meal Blacharachnia'''
:A toy given away with Happy Meals, actually more show-accurate in appearance than the Deluxe toy.

*'''''Universe'' Deluxe Blackarachnia'''
:A redeco of Beast Machines Deluxe Blackrachnia as a Decepticon. 
*'''''Universe'' Halloween Horricon Blackarachnia''' (unreleased)
:A redeco of the original Blackarachnia toy in new colors, this toy was part of a ''Halloween Horricon'' set that was never released.

*'''''Binaltech'' XBT-16 Black Widow''' (unreleased)
:A silver redeco of the ''Binaltech''/''Alternators'' [[Honda S2000]] mold used for [[Windcharger]], [[Overdrive (Transformers)|Overdrive]] and [[Arcee]]. The figure was originally intended to be the Decepticon [[Wildrider]], but was renamed Black Widow due to trademark issues. Ultimately, plans to release this figure were canceled, as [[Takara Tomy]] feared another redeco of the same mold was repetitive.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/binaltech-destrons-349/xbt-16-black-widow---honda-s2000-unreleased-2507/ TFW2005.com - XBT-16 Black Widow]</ref>

*'''''Beast Wars'' 10th Anniversary Blackarachnia''' (2007)
:Released in Japan in 2007, this toy is a redeco of the original Blackarachnia toy repainted in more show-accurate colors.
{{-}}

==Transformers Animated==
{{Infobox character|
 name           =Elita One/Blackarachnia
|image          =blackarachnia-animatedtoy.jpg
|caption        =''Animated'' Blackarachnia toy
|affiliation    =Autobot/Decepticon
|subgroup       =Deluxe Beasts
|rank           =
|function       =Trickster
|partner        =
|motto          =''"My sting will be the last thing you feel."''
|alternatemodes =Technorganic Spider
|series         =''[[Transformers Animated]]''
|engvoice        =[[Cree Summer]]
|japanvoice       =Ryoka Yuzuki
|gender         = Female
}}
Blackarachnia was one of the five core Decepticons in the ''[[Transformers Animated]]'' show.  She has a different origin than she did previously, one linked to the Autobots. Her design is very similar to her original Beast Wars CGI model, but with four eyes instead of two, and two skinny, pincer-like “spider limbs” that jut from her back and arc over her shoulders. The pincer limbs can strike like scorpion tails, stunning prey with her venom, or spraying spider-like webs. She also has the ability to download and temporarily absorb other Cybertronians’ powers.

Blackarachnia was originally an Autobot named [[Elita One#Transformers Animated|Elita-1]] who had attended the Autobot academy with [[Optimus Prime (other incarnations)#Transformers Animated|Optimus Prime]] and [[Sentinel Prime#Transformers Animated|Sentinel Prime]].<REF>{{cite book |title=[[Transformers Animated: The Allspark Almanac]]  |author=[[Jim Sorenson]] & [[Bill Forster]]| publisher=Idea & Design Works Llc |date=August 15, 2009 |ISBN=978-1600104879 | page=61}}</REF> When they were searching on planet Archa Seven for energon cubes on a suspected-crashed Decepticon warship, they were ambushed by alien spiders.  With Sentinel already disabled from the first attack, Optimus and Elita got lost but found the ship. However, they found that a spider nest had grown up inside the ship, and were attacked.  While Optimus was able to escape, Elita got caught in the exploding Energon. Believing that she died in the blast, Optimus and Sentinel were forced to leave the planet.

In reality, Elita survived the explosion and was damaged as the remaining spiders infected her with their venom. She tried to use her mimicking ability on them to neutralize the damage, but it instead mutated her superstructure into a new body. Horrified with her now half-organic body and using a Decepticon helmet from the warship to cover her face, Elita grew vindictive and distrustful against Optimus for leaving her behind, a hatred that grew to all Autobots. She eventually gave up her Autobot title and became a Decepticon under the new name "Blackarachnia". Because of how deeply the organic parts are embedded into her system, Blackarachina is more easily wounded, requires oxygen, and seems to have become more openly emotional.

===Animated series===
Among the Nemesis Crew, Blackarachnia abandoned ship to evade an explosion that took out most of the Nemesis. By present time, revealed in the comic, Blackarachina found Starscream by accident and offer they would team up to get the [[Allspark]] together with Starscream jettisoning her to space. But she secretly planted a homing device on him, leading her to Earth during [[Bumblebee (Transformers)#Transformers Animated|Bumblebee]] & [[Bulkhead (Transformers)#Transformers Animated|Bulkhead's]] first Halloween, poisoning them before abducting [[Sari Sumdac]] with Optimus in pursuit. She then finally reveals herself to him, with Optimus shocked as she then tries to use the Allspark key to rid herself of her organic beast mode. The result sent out energy that sucks out the life out of organics, also nearly killing Blackarachnia in the process until Prime removes the key, restoring everything to normal. Though Prime offers to help her out, she poisons Prime and runs off. She later returns prior to Megatron's arrival, capturing Sari to take the key, only for them to have a slight conversation about being abandoned, before Sari deceives Blackarachnia into taking her to the AllSpark, having the Decepticon wander into circles before [[Ratchet (Transformers)#Transformers Animated|Ratchet]] then raised the Autobot's ship, and knocking Blackarachnia out of the sky.

However, Blackarachnia survived the fall and washed up on [[Dinobot]] island where she was cared for by the Dinobots, who quickly became enamoured with her. She uses this to her advantage, convincing the Dinobots to break out [[List of organics in Transformers Animated#Human villains|Meltdown]], in hopes of using his biotech expertise to remove her organic side. In order to have Meltdown get the genetic modifier needed for it, Blackarachnia poisoned Bumblebee and [[Prowl (Transformers)#Transformers Animated|Prowl]] with an extra-large dose of her venom, offering the antidote to Optimus if he helped [[Grimlock#Transformers Animated|Grimlock]] get the modifier from Meltdown's old lab at Sumdac Tower. However, Meltdown later double-crosses her when they are about to start, intending to wipe out her technological half and use her pure-organic body to achieve his own set of plans. But Optimus stopped the experiment in time and Blackarachnia uses Grimlock's love for her to make her escape, leaving the antidote behind as she promised. Apparently, though she resents Optimus for abandoning her in the past, she seems to still harbor feelings toward him, making Optimus speculate that there is still something left of Elita-1 within her.

Using Meltdown's lab, she continued her attempts of discarding her organic attributes by having [[Swoop (Transformers)#Transformers Animated|Swoop]] abduct Wasp while on the run from the Elite Guard, using her charm to make Wasp think she was a friend to trick him into letting letting her experiment on him using Transwarp energy. As Wasp reformats into [[Waspinator#Transformers Animated|Waspinator]], Sentinel Prime arrives and learns the truth behind Elita's fate as he attempts to kill Blackarachina, knocking off her helmet in the process. But once Optimus joins the fray, Blackarachina reveals her intent with Waspinator as he overheard while the Transwarp energy inside him starts to overflow. Blackarachina sacrifices herself so the transwarp explosion only covers her and Waspinator. Unbeknownst to the Autobots and the Elite Guard, Waspinator and Blackarachnia ended up in an African jungle, where Blackarachnia encountered a [[Rhinox|rhinoceros]], [[Optimus Primal|gorilla]], [[Rattrap|rat]], and "cheetah" (a reference to the original Beast Wars Maximals).{{Or|date=September 2010}} Blackarachnia and Waspinator's fates were left up in the air by the end of the series some time later.

If the show had gotten a Foruth Season, Blackarachnia would have made an army of Predacons and her appearance would've been based on her original Beast Wars appearance.

===Comics===
====IDW Publishing====
Blackarachnia appeared in the IDW Publishing Transformers Animated comics series.<ref>http://www.comicsbulletin.com/news/122050012375581.htm</ref>

====TFcon comics====
Blackarachnia appears in the TFcon 2010 voice actor play.<REF>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soiAmx_-7l8</REF>

===Toys===
* '''''Animated'' Deluxe Blackarachnia''' (2008)
:Transforms from spider to robot. Includes grappling hook. This figure was sold later as a [[Wal-Mart|Walmart]]-exclusive 2-pack with battle damaged Deluxe Optimus Prime. <REF>{{cite journal |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |year=2008 |title=Transformers Animated |journal=Tomart's Action Figure Digest |volume= |issue=164 |pages=28-31 |publisher=Tomart Publications |doi= |url= |accessdate= }}</REF><REF>http://www.bwtf.com/toyreviews/animated/blackarachnia</REF><REF>http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/83623.pdf</REF>

* '''''Animated'' TA-09 Deluxe Blackarachnia (Takara Tomy)''' (2010)
:The 2010 Japan version by [[Takara Tomy]] is virtually identical to the Hasbro version, with the exception of the purple Decepticon emblem on the throat.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/animated-8/pictorial-review-of-transformers-animated-japan-blackarachnia-169427/ TFW2005.com - Pictorial Review of Transformers Animated (Japan) Blackarachnia]</ref> It was later extensively remolded into a version of ''Beast Wars'' Blackarachnia.

==TransTech==
{{Infobox character|
 name           = Blackarachnia
|japanname      =
|image          =
|caption        =
|affiliation    =Autobot/Maximal
|subgroup       =
|function       =
|partner        =
|motto          ="''It is our time. Our freedom is at hand. We will take it... and let no one stand in our way.''"
|alternatemodes =Spider
|series         =
|voiceby        =
|gender         = Female
}}
After the ''Beast Machines'' line ended, [[Hasbro]] planned a follow-up series called [[TransTech]]. The TransTech concept was a line intended to take Transformers to their most futuristic. Hasbro commissioned sets of designs from [[Draxhall Jump]]. The series was supposedly to bring back some of the characters who died in ''Beast Wars'' along with some characters from the original animated series, all in new, [[technorganic]] bodies, though with vehicle alternate modes instead of the animals used in ''Beast Machines''. Many concept sketches and even a few toy prototypes were made, but Hasbro scrapped the idea in favor of bringing ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Car Robots]]'' to their markets as ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]''.

===Fun Publications===
TransTech Blackarachnia eventually became a reality in the pages of [[Fun Publications]] stories as a new character.

Blackarachnia had a biography printed in issue #25 of the Transformers Collectors Club magazine. According to her biography this Blackarachnia was originally a Maximal who served in an army on an alternate Cybertron where the Maximals and Predacons rebelled from their controlling Autobot and Decepticon masters. She fled Cybertron with fellow Maximal Nightscream and the Predacons Scavenger and Immorticon in an experimental transwarp ship and ended up on TransTech Cybertron. Feeling like a prisoner on this Cybertron she joined up with Alpha Trion's group, who had Topspin transfer their sparks into the bodies of their TransTech counterparts.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/216776-tfcc-magazine-issue-25-arriving.html</ref>

In issue #24 of the Transformers Collectors Club magazine she aided Alpha Trion in escaping from ''TransTech'' Cybertron and returned with him to the ''Shattered Glass'' Cybertron.<REF>{{Cite journal | author = Forest Lee| title = Transcendent Part 5| journal = Transformers Collectors Club Magazine| volume = 1 | issue = 23 | pages= 10-15 |date = October/November 2008 |url=http://transformersclub.com/_images/TFmag15.pdf}}</REF>
{{-}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1996/Predacon/Blackarachnia/blackarachnia.htm Original Blackarachnia] at TFU.info
* [http://www.tfu.info/1999/Maximal/Blackarachnia/blackarachnia.htm Transmetal Blackarachnia] at TFU.info
* [http://www.tfu.info/2000/Maximal/Blackarachnia/blackarachnia.htm Beast Machines Blackarachnia] at TFU.info
*[http://tformers.com/ig.php?dispsize=800&mode=view&album=9130&pic=003.jpg Animated Blackarachnia Package Bio] at Tformers.com

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