Transformers Cyberworld - AIRACHNID!

Transformers: Cyberworld - Armor-Up Cyber Changers - Airachnid - Hasbro 2026

Transformers: Cyberworld is a YouTube web-series that began in 2025 and currently has 36 five-minute episodes (with a Season 2 premiering sometime this year). I've personally only ever watched these episodes in preparation of posting a review for the toys, so I don't have a lot of context for this toyline. Both the toys and the show itself are heavily geared towards young kids. Not necessarily preschool (like Rescue Bots), but not quite the audience for the G1 cartoon or other recent (slightly more mature) iterations either. Despite it being a YouTube show with a very limited cast of characters, there have been at least 23 Hasbro action figures so far, including Elita-1 and now Airachnid.  Plus I recently noticed a collection of Cyberworld figural keyrings from Monogram. So this show is definitely getting  peculiar merchandising push. I hope the upcoming Season 2 introduces more female characters, because a this point they've made toys of everyone. Let's check out Cyberworld Airachnid below!

Transformers - ELITA-1, ARCEE, & BLACKARCHNIA!

Transformers Tiny Turbo Changers (2026 Edition) Blind Bags - Hasbro 2026

I'm a sucker for little Transformers collectibles, especially if there is a diverse character lineup. Some past favorite lines include Kre-O, Tiny Titans, and Tacticons. I was pretty obsessed with all of them. Between 2017 and 2020 there was a fun (but frustrating) line called Tiny Turbo Changers. They stood out because they actually transformed, they were inexpensive, and prolific.. I believe they released 100 different figures. The reason the line was frustrating was because of distribution. Most of the waves I really wanted were only released in Canada. Luckily I have friends up North who could hook me up. Flash forward to 2026 and the last thing I expected was for the Tiny Turbo Changers to be rebooted. I think all 15 new figures are repaints of the old ones, but luckily the three females have pretty distinct deco changes so I was excited to pick them all up. I even appreciate the weird attempt to differentiate between Arcee and Elita-1 with the same mold. Let's check out the Tiny Turbo Changers ladies below!

Magic Power - BLACK WOLFSBANE!

3rd Party Transformers - MP-46BW Black Wolfsbane - Magic Power 2022

The world of 3rd Party Transformers can be a ruthless place. As a collector, these toys can be difficult to procure due to low production runs or unclear distribution. And as a producer of these toys, I can only assume there are minimal protections for your hard work. Since the product already skirts close to other (highly protected) IPs, I can't imagine any recourse when someone swipes your work. This Black Wolfsbane figure from Magic Power (2022) is a re-release (theft?) of the 2013 Perfect Effect Aranea, which is of course a 3rd Party Transformers Blackarachnia. This was one of the first 3P figure that I desperately wanted but slipped through my fingers. The preorders sold out instantly and I still have regrets about not buying her at a toy show for $99 ten years ago (within months she was selling for $300 on eBay). Normally I wouldn't have considered a reproduced figure, but I truly don't think an original Aranea was in the cards. So when this Black Wolfbane figure appeared, I pounced. Let's check her out below.

Transformers One - AIRACHNID!

Transformers One -  1-Step Changers Series One - Airachnid - Hasbro 2024

I always love a villain, especially when they are creepy and incorporate visual themes from one of the stereotypical "scary" animals like insects, spiders, bats, and reptiles. This isn't a rare character recipe at all, but I love them all anyway. Airachnid was first introduced as an antagonist in the 2011 Transformers Prime series. She has a lot of similar characteristics to Blackarachnia, but she was witchier and vampier and was a cool triple-changer alternating between robot, spider, and helicopter forms. My favorite thing about her was that while in her robot form, she would often walk on her spider-legs (aka helicopter blades) that protruded from her back Dr. Octopus style. I actually find this type perambulation terrifying at an instinctual level, so of course I am obsessed with it. I'm really interested to see how Airachnid will be portrayed in the upcoming Transformers One film. This toy offers the most clues so far. She has an interesting redesign, but I still have a ton of questions. Let's check out Airachnid below!

APCToys - NIGHT COUNTESS!

APCToys Night Countess (3rd Party Prime Airachnid) - APCToys 2022

The inspiration for my dour review of the Transformers: Prime Airachnid figure Thursday was this newly-produced Masterpiece-Scale "Night Countess" 3rd Party figure from APCToys. This figure succeeds in every place that the Hasbro version failed. Her sculpt has personality, dexterity, and just looks great overall. I am not a collector who just buys a single version of a character. If I did, I can imagine how people might think 3rd Party figures are harmful to brands and the toy industry. But, no, I will literally buy every version of a character I love (if I can afford it). And I think we all know that Hasbro would be very unlikely to revisit a character who has essentially been retired from Transformers media for years. So this is when a 3rd Party company can step in and offer a desperately needed new take on a figure. And I can't think of a more deserving character than Airachnid. She is sinister and vampy, which is an aesthetic I love. I also appreciate the Maleficent vibe. Let's check out Night Countess below!

Transformers: Prime - AIRACHNID!

Transformers: Prime - Deluxe Class Series 01 - 012 Airachnid - Hasbro 2011

One of the most surprising Transformers disappointments to me was this Airachnid figure from twelve years ago. I'm often disappointed with female Transformers, but it's often for expected reasons (like repainting a male sculpt pink and expecting us to appreciate the effort). But in the case of Airachnid, they had this awesome character and gave her a totally unique sculpt, but still somehow ended up missing the mark completely. The figure is stiff and awkward and is a major aesthetic step backward from the previous Prime and Transformers: Animated ladies. This is especially shameful since the character is so intriguing. Airachnid is a former Decepticon who is now independently evil. She transforms into a helicopter, but uses the blades in a spider-like fashion to propel when in robot mode. She is a little like a reimagined Blackarachnia, but with a heavy dose of Maleficent thrown in. Oh, and she has the power to control Insecticons. A new 3rd Party figure inspired me to finally post the original. Let's check her out below!

POP Funko - SPIDER-WOMAN!

Marvel POP! #1020 - Spider-Woman (Mattie Franklin) - Amazon Exc Funko 2022

Mattie Franklin has a very interesting history. She was introduced in the Spider-Man comics just a few months after Mayday Parker debuted in 1998. But it wasn't until May of 1999 when she donned a costume and was introduced as (the third) Spider-Woman. Her powers came about via ritualistic magic, and origins like that never seem to turn out well. It's almost as if there is karmic retribution for achieving powers unnaturally. Mattie's stories took some pretty macabre turns later on, but for the majority of her 18-issue solo series she was a fun character who constantly had new costumes and shifting power sets. The Funko Pop costume is one of her later looks from issue #12 onward. It was at this point when she absorbed the powers of Charlotte Witter and was able to grow organic spider legs from her back. She has has an understated presence in the Marvel Universe since her series ended. And aside from two HeroClix figures, this is her first time in plastic. Let's check out Mattie below!

A Trio of ROBLOX LADIES!

ROBLOX Deluxe Mystery Pack Series 01 - Flora, Diana, Rosalia - Jazwares 2021

Whenever a toy line really establishes itself in the toy aisles, I know I'll eventually have to make a purchase to see what all the fuss is about. I have been noticing Roblox figures from Jazwares in stores for quite a few years now, and I honestly was never super tempted. They were blocky and simple with odd facial expressions. But on the plus side, the themes always seemed fun. I swear every time I glanced at the displays I would see a different mermaid character. I managed to avoid any purchases (not counting their non-blocky Imagination Collection) until a fateful day back in October when I saw three characters lined up: a mermaid, a centaur, and a spider sorceress. The assortment just made me happy and I finally brought a few of these figures home. Plus I was excited to add the first female centaur and first mermaid of color to my collection. And after playing with these figures and swapping parts, I get the appeal. I'm open to buying more if they call to me. Let's check out these Roblox ladies below!

Transformers - BLACKARACHNIA!

Transformers: Buzzworthy Bumblebee - Worlds Collide 4-Pack - Hasbro 2021

As toy collectors, we often see very bizarre toy decos that barely look like the characters they are meant to represent. Yellow Evil-Lyn, hat-wearing Lady Jaye, pink Serena from Dino-Riders, and the entire vintage She-Ra line are all examples of toys that are significantly different from their animated source material. But then years later there is just as much nostalgia among collectors for these bizarre interpretations and the toy companies seem happy to oblige us. This new Blackarachnia redeco is a wonderful example of that trend. Her first-ever figure back in 1996's Beast Wars line was a simple retool of the (male) Tarantulas figure, and her colors were wild: a purple head and legs, black torso with green spots, bronze spider-legs and claws, green arms, all topped off with a speckled chest. The overall effect was a godawful mess. Yet, somehow, when applied to the new Kingdom Blackarachnia mold, it's spectacular. This Peggy-Bundy-Pimp-Daddy-Destro chaos somehow works. Let's check her out below!

Transformers Kingdom - BLACKARACHNIA!

Transformers: War For Cybertron - Kingdom - Blackarachnia - Hasbro 2021

I must admit I was really surprised to see a Blackarachnia figure in the War For Cybertron series. So far, the Siege and Earthrise releases seemed focused on really classic (essentially 1980's) characters. And honestly I was excited to see who we would get in the final part of the trilogy. But in a surprise twist, the theme jumped forward to 1996's Beast Wars franchise for final Kingdom series. I unfortunately am very unfamiliar with all the Beast Wars shows and my only connection comes from my knowledge of the toys as an adult collector. That said, Blackarachnia has a special place in my heart for being the first notable female Decepticon. I have an affinity for vampy female villains and the easiest way to do that is to is to borrow themes from bats or spiders. The original Beast Wars Blackarchnia toy was a boxy retool of a male character (Tarantulas). The first decent figure was 2015's Legends release, but it was a little odd as a retooled Transformers: Animated mold. This Kingdom figure finally scratches the itch.

Transform Element - BLACK WIDOW!

3rd Party Transformers - TE MM-01 Black Widow - Transform Element 2019

I've always been quick to note that the presence of a 3rd Party Transformers market doesn't hinder my purchases of official Hasbro or TakaraTomy product at all, and that the 3rd party presence actually deepens my interest in all Transformers products. However, I can think of one exception; this tiny 3.5" Transform Element Black Widow figure from last year. This figure was announced right around the same time as the official TakaraTomy Transformers Masterpiece Blackarachnia, which I was fairly certain I was going to purchase (although the $100+ price tag was keeping me at bay). To be fair, Beastformers aren't my favorite iteration of the Transformers Universe, so I'm much more likely to shell out big bucks for a vehicle mode than a robotic animal. But when faced with a the decision to add a large-scale, very expensive figure to my collection or this tiny, cheaper alternative, I chose the 3rd Party route. (And knowing me I'll eventually cave on the Masterpiece). Let's check out Black Widow below!

Kre-O Transformers - BLACKARACHNIA!

Transformers Kre-O Age of Extinction - Series 2 - Blackarachnia - Hasbro 2014

Transformers Kre-O figures are some of my favorite collectibles of the last decade.  They're small, fun, and pretty prolific in the toy aisles.  Or at least they were.  The lackluster movie-themed waves from 2014's Transformers: Age of Extinction film kind of brought the series to a slow crawl.  This second series of Age of Extinction blind-bag mini-figures never even saw release in the United States.  I only hope the upcoming Robots in Disguise waves will offer some new life to the line.  I know I'll definitely be hunting down the Strongarm figure at the very least.  But in the long run, I desperately want more classic themed micro-changer waves.  Elita One and all the Cybertronian fembots would be amazing as Kreons.  I can only hope someone at Hasbro sees that, too.  At the very least there is potential for a ton of future convention exclusives in this format.  My fingers are crossed.  In the meantime, let's check out this elusive Blackarachnia in detail below!

The Girls of LEGO CHIMA!

Eris, G'Loona, Windra, Rinona, Crooler, and Spinlyn - LEGO: Chima 2013-14

Hello my name is Alex and I have a Lego problem.  At first I would just pick up the occasional DC Lego: Catwoman, Harley, Ivy, etc.  Maybe I would aim to get one or two figures from each minifigure wave.  I was keeping it all in check.  But then they introduced this amazing little theme called  Legends of Chima.  Damn them.  Chima introduces a vast world of anthropomorphic characters.  So far, there are about 18 different animal tribes.  Some are good, some are bad, some are both.  So far, the only females figures have been in the Eagle Tribe, Lion Tribe, Crocodile Tribe, Rhino Tribe, Gorilla Tribe, and the Spider Tribe.  There are at least two more females due out later this summer from the Lion and Mammoth tribes.  But there are undoubtedly more ladies coming in the future.  I would love a female Bat, Vulture, Phoenix, and Fox.  These figures all come in big expensive sets which are completely breaking my bank.  Luckily they show up on eBay pretty regularly loose.  Let's check out the first 6 ladies below!

Beast Hunters AIRACHNID!

Transformers: Prime - Beast Hunters - Airachnid - Hasbro 2013
 
It's amazing how many female Transformers we are getting these days.  Granted, it's pretty much the same two characters over and over again, but considering how long Hasbro kept the Transformers sausage party going, I couldn't be happier.  This miniature version of Airachnid is pretty much the best representation of this character I have seen.  The Kre-O version I reviewed a few weeks ago is great, but still a block figure nonetheless.  The 6" Deluxe Airachnid from last year was an atrocity.  I was so excited for that figure, and was very very let down.  Mine is actually in pieces as I removed every screw trying to visualize ways to customize it into a decent looking fembot.  This little version, however, gets it right.  The transforming isn't perfect, and it would be awesome if the helicopter blades had a more spider-like presence, but all-in-all it's very nice.  I love the character of Airachnia.  Besides my general love of villainesses, she in particular strikes my fancy because she reminds me of Blackarachnia, Maleficent, and Hexidecimal combined.  Let's check out this great figure below!

Kreon Micro-Changers AIRACHNID!

TransFormers Kre-O Mini-Figure - Airachnid - Hasbro 2013

I love a good evil fembot.  Airachnid is a villain in the CGI animated Transformers: Prime series.  She's essentially a new iteration of Blackarachnia, but with a different personality and backstory - plus she has an additional vehicle form of a helicopter (in addition to her spider beast-mode and robot form).  Apparently the Airachnid in the Kreon Micro-Changers (Blind Packs Series 1) is intended to be a new character altogether.  This Airachnid is a Predacon with a spider mode.  I frankly don't see much of a difference besides the missing chopper form, but oh well.  Kreons are the Transformers of the Kre-O universe, which in turn are Hasbro's attempt at a competitive brand for Lego and Mega-Bloks.  This Airachnid figure is the first Kre-O figure I have bought (but not the last.. the GI Joe sets are on the horizon!) and I think it's pretty great.  For now, the blind packs have an easily-decipherable code so there's no true blind luck involved.  Hopefully we'll see an Arcee in the future waves.  Let's check out Airachnid!

Transformers: Universe CRYSTAL WIDOW!

K-Mart Exclusive Transformers: Universe Crystal Widow from Hasbro 2004

Crystal Widow is an Autobot.  I know I know, good guys don't turn into venomous spiders.  But the catch is that she's a former Decepticon.  I'm a little unsure if she's from the comics, cartoon, or just toylore.  Apparently she was included in the TransTech canon, which was the cancelled successor to Beast Wars.  In short summary, she is a former bad guy who became a good guy during the Universe War and now owns a bar called the Widow's Cafe Cybertronian.. which I think has a similar reputation to the Mos Eisley Cantina.  This action figure is a repaint of the Beast Machines Deluxe Blackarachnia, which (until the Transformers: Animated figures hit) was one of the nicest fembots in the TF Universe.  I know that is a subjective claim, but I honestly think she is the first female Transformer to even remotely resemble a female.  She's had 4 repaints over the years so someone must agree with me, too.  On to the review!