Profile, Abilities and Weaknesses description is from The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye, comic series published by Dreamwave Comics in 2003.

BIO
Bristleback is an angry, aggressive complainer who peppers his simple statements with foul language to make any point He's a natural bully, but his demeanor is made even more repellent by the fact that he didn't even become a Pretender by choice; susceptibility to rust forced him to adopt the shell to salve his condition and protect his armor. Even when he's perfectly healthy and locked in the shell, the constant irritation of thinking about his condition frustrates him, making him even meaner. He feels trapped by the shell and longs to function in some airless environment where his predilection for developing rust disease won't be an issue. 

WEAPONS/ABILITIES
Subject has above-average strength and great endurance. His outer Pretender shell has thick armor that limits motion somewhat. In all modes, the spikes on Subject's back can emit a corrosive acid that can help them cut through materials on contact. Shell and inner robot are armed with a rapid-fire electrostatic pulse rifle that shorts out and can permanently damage enemy circuitry.  Combines with fellow Pretender Monsters to form Monstructor.

WEAKNESSES
Within his shell, Subject is exceptionally slaw and lacking in maneuverability. Outside his shell, any hint of humidity immediately has him developing a painful rust rash that can erode his armor. 

Bibliography of significant appearances:
The Pretender Monsters made only one appearance in the G1 continuity:
* Transformers (Marvel) #67 - In this 'alternate reality' story, Galvatron reigns supreme and has left New York City in Ruins.  Interestingly, the story is set in 2009 and depicts a deactivated Rodimus Prime hung between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.  

* In later years the team was featured in GIJoe / Transformers Crossover series published by Devils' Due comics.

* The team was also featured in the IDW-verse as the lone combiner.  Apparently, in their view, combiners are an unheard of concept until Monstructor is developed by Jhiaxus...

Other Appearances: