Hello everybody, this is Maniac4Bricks. Every year, I build at least 1 BIONICLE MOC, and I challenge myself to build one based on the Toa Mata or Toa Nuva building system specifically - this can involve changing colors of parts, additional builds, and even adding System elements for additional features. Usually by chance they debut as a display at BrickFair VA, a mecca for BIONICLE fans full of creativity and passion. This year I present Fikou-Mata, the Toa of Arachnids. (Fikou is a type of spider in BIONICLE.)
COMPOSITION
BACKGROUND (STORY)
“My name is Pita Paaka. I was bitten by a radioactive Fikou Spider, and for ten years I’ve been the one and only Fikou-Mata. I’m pretty sure you know the rest. I saved a bunch of people, fell in [non-canon], saved the city, and then I saved the city again. And again, and again and again.”
A humble Ta-Matoran working as a chronicler for The Weekly Flute in Ny-Koro, he was transformed into a Toa from the bite of a powerful Fikou Spider. I can’t imagine what would happen if he was bit by a radioactive Visorak 
CONSTRUCTION
As with tradition, I built this around the basic structure of a Toa Mata / Nuva figure. The color changes adapted to the Spider-Man look very well, even though some parts weren’t available in Blue instead of Medium Blue. The main inspiration was the 2-fingered hand that Lewa, Tahu and Pohatu Mata shared, resembling the hand gesture that Spider-Man uses to shoot his webs (or Doctor Strange uses when casting spells, which actually has a fun backstory of its own in the comics).
The unique parts of building the figure are the chestplate spider, similar to Gali Mata’s build with added tooth pieces, and the webbing accessory, borrowing from System Spider-Man sets and joints from the Dinosaur Fossil Ideas set. The hands are interchangeable with Hero Factory/Agori closed fists.
The red Pakari being probably the most exclusive piece used here. The rest can be easily made by mashing parts from Tahu Mata, Gali Mata and Gali Nuva and trace elements of Spider-Man sets.
CONCLUSION
This color swap, simple as it may be, still illustrates to me that the most basic MOCs lining close to a retail set, can still offer something new and different to its original product. I’m still having fun recreating the Mata/Nuva formula we all know and love in G1 into various other figures. The Mata torso is a wealth of potential that has yet to be tapped into more often.
Now for the elephant spider in the room (yes they exist, also known as peacock spider): LEGO images of buildable action figure sets based on Spider-Man, Miles Morales and Venom were just revealed online about a day after I built my model, on August 2nd. I SWEAR to you. I built my model on Monday prior to leaving for BrickFair VA, only taking pictures now. I TEASED that this model would appear at BFVA on Twitter on July 30, 2022. This is a major coincidence but I do have to reveal mine prior to setting it up at the show just because it’s now a hot topic of “Constraction LEGO Spider-Man” - how could I say no??
I was informed through BrickFair VA 2022 that this MOC was heavily enjoyed during the public days, which I appreciate. Especially at a convention which hosted many towering and intricate MOCs all over the place. You don’t always have to build big to be impactful.
Maniac4Bricks
Especially with how cool this one looks! I hope you get them back or at the very least are able to rebuild them.
this is so incredible!! I’m honored enough that now 2 drawings were made in homage to my MOC, but also being a full-fledged cover with careful details and I’m happy you learnt from it as well! Thank you so very much!!