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Now for toy related comics!
Black Hot Rod bio for some context.
A dark clone of Hot Rod built by Megatron, Dark Hot Rod was convinced from his creation that he was the real Hot Rod. He is physically Hot Rod's equal, but lacked the Autobot's honor, respect for life and reverence for Optimus Prime. He was driven to destroy what he thought was the fake Hot Rod, and forcibly take the Matrix from Optimus.
An encounter with the original Hot Rod in a crystal-lined cave changed all that. Through a burst of energy, Dark Hot Rod became aware of the truth of his creation. To atone for his actions, he has joined the Autobots, and fights against the Decepticons who made him!
-This somehow also affected Hot Rod and made his body crystalline in appearance. Both are old exclusives.
Rodimus Wars:
Following Megatron's defeat in the time travel-filled battles surrounding the Blasty Zone, he's decided to neutralize Optimus Prime's future successor. Not knowing who this will be, the Decepticons on Cybertron create evil clones of younger Autobots for the purpose of destroying the originals, though the Dark Hot Rod created from Hot Rod turns good after being bathed in the light of the Crystal Fountain. The main clone army overruns the Autobots on Cybertron, and with Optimus Prime still not returned from Earth, they make their last stand on one of the Moonbases. Arcee hopes Hot Rod, currently calling himself "Crystal Rodimus", and his clone can destroy the Decepticons' clone lab, though Springer is skeptical about the turbo-revvin' young punks' chances of success.
