COBRA blows their surprise advantage by trying to take General Hawk and a Joe base. Had they not, the Venom Troopers would have been too much for the Joes.
It makes sense Venomous Maximus stops obeying the Fang staff control. Alpha animals are very hard to command.
Mindbender ditching Cobra Commander is actually deserved. He ignored all of the doctor's warnings.
The General's Mutated form looks like Ruber from Quest for Camelot.