First Weapon Drawn

First Weapon Drawn is the fourth studio album by the American hip hop supergroup Czarface, released on April 22, 2017, via Silver Age Records.^[1] The project functions as a narrated audio adventure, integrating storytelling elements with a accompanying 24-page comic book that expands on the group's superhero-inspired lore.^[2] Czarface, formed in 2013, consists of Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck and the Boston-based underground production and rap duo 7L & Esoteric.^[3] Known for their comic book aesthetics and high-energy boom bap sound, the trio's album features 14 tracks, including the opening "Czarface Theme" and narrative interludes that align with the comic's plot.^[1] First Weapon Drawn debuted and peaked at number 44 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart, marking a creative evolution in Czarface's discography with its multimedia format.^[1] The release was issued on sky blue vinyl in a gatefold jacket, emphasizing its collectible and thematic presentation.^[4]

Background

Group history

Czarface was formed in 2013 as a hip hop supergroup comprising Wu-Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck, DJ and producer 7L, and rapper Esoteric.^[5] The trio built on the established partnership of 7L and Esoteric, who had collaborated since the mid-1990s as an underground duo, releasing their debut single "Secret Wars" in 1996 and full-length albums such as Dangerous Connection (2002) and The Soul Purpose (2004).^[6] Inspectah Deck's addition expanded their sound while drawing on his experience as a foundational Wu-Tang Clan lyricist.^[7] The group's debut album, Czarface (2013), introduced their signature blend of gritty lyricism and comic book aesthetics, establishing Czarface as an anti-hero persona in their music.^[8] This was followed by Every Hero Needs a Villain (2015), which explored superhero-villain dynamics, and A Fistful of Peril (2016), a concept album evoking spaghetti Western tropes infused with hip hop.^[8] These releases solidified their discography, with production primarily handled by 7L and features from guests like Vinnie Paz and Brother Ali enhancing their underground appeal.^[8] The transition from 7L & Esoteric's duo projects to the Czarface trio emphasized a thematic evolution toward comic book-inspired narratives, with album artwork and concepts drawing from superhero lore and vigilante archetypes.^[9] A key milestone came in 2016 when Marvel Comics commissioned Czarface to create original music for a Black Panther promotional web series, marking their first major crossover into comic book media and paving the way for integrated comic releases with subsequent albums.^[10]

Album development

The development of First Weapon Drawn drew direct inspiration from the 1970s Power Records series, which produced read-along comic books paired with vinyl records featuring narrated audio adventures for popular characters like Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four.^[11] Czarface aimed to recreate this format within hip hop, transforming their signature comic book aesthetic into an immersive, multimedia experience that combined storytelling with beats and rhymes.^[12] Building on the group's prior comic book collaborations, such as illustrated album covers and character designs from earlier releases, the trio—Inspectah Deck, 7L, and Esoteric—decided to evolve their work into a fully narrated story album. This marked a shift toward a complete audio adventure, emphasizing narrative depth over standalone tracks. Development began shortly after the release of their previous album, A Fistful of Peril, in late 2016, allowing the group to refine their Czarface universe into a cohesive origin tale.^[11][13] Key creative decisions centered on integrating extensive narration and dialogue to mimic radio dramas, incorporating voice actors and sound effects alongside the core hip hop elements produced by 7L and the Czar-Keys. The album was announced as a Record Store Day exclusive in early 2017, with its release set for April 22, leading to a limited pressing of 2,000 copies that included a 24-page full-color comic book in a gatefold sleeve. This approach prioritized physical collectibility and interactive listening, distinguishing it from digital formats.^[12][14]

Concept and theme

Narrative elements

"First Weapon Drawn" presents a sci-fi adventure centered on the origin of Czarface, a masked antihero who emerges from the persona of Zach, a washed-up professional wrestler with an '80s Russian gimmick. The core story follows Zach as he encounters a mysterious woman and his loyal dog Fang amid an alien invasion by the Zarta Ku forces on Earth, leading to his transformation into Czarface, who battles villains such as Wageet and Feent in high-stakes conflicts that blend wrestling bravado with interstellar warfare.^[15][11] Themes of heroism and moral ambiguity underscore the narrative, portraying Czarface as both savior and potential villain, while wordplay emphasizes language as the initial "weapon" in conflict, tying into hip-hop roots.^[16] The album functions as an audio narrative structured like a classic radio play, with spoken dialogue, narration, and sound effects advancing the plot across its 14 tracks. Voice actors, including Esoteric from the Czarface trio, deliver character portrayals that immerse listeners in the action, evoking comic book tropes through dramatic exchanges and atmospheric cues rather than traditional rhymes.^[17][18] Boom bap-inspired beats provide rhythmic tension beneath the spoken elements, enhancing the sense of urgency in heroic confrontations and villainous schemes without relying on rapped verses.^[18] This cohesive 33:56 arc builds from Zach's introduction and inciting incident to escalating battles and a climactic resolution, forming a complete story that prioritizes thematic depth over musical complexity. Production techniques, such as layered sound effects and orchestral swells, further amplify the dramatic tension of the narrative.^[19][18]

Comic book integration

The album First Weapon Drawn incorporates a multimedia element through a 24-page full-color comic book included with physical editions, which visually illustrates the narrative plot of Czarface's interstellar adventures and conflicts.^[4] The comic's artwork is created by Gilberto Aguirre Mata, known as El Ultimo Codice, and written by Esoteric (Seamus Ryan), depicting the Czarface characters—Inspectah Deck, Esoteric, and 7L—as superheroes engaged in dynamic, action-oriented scenarios that complement the album's themes of heroism and cosmic battles.^[11] Designed in a read-along format reminiscent of 1970s Power Records releases, the comic panels are synchronized with the vinyl tracks, allowing listeners to follow the story visually while the audio provides narration, dialogue, and music for an immersive, synchronized experience that enhances the album's storytelling.^[12][20] Special editions feature a gatefold jacket that houses the comic book, paired with sky blue vinyl pressing, initially released for Record Store Day 2017 to emphasize the project's collectible and thematic integration.^[2][14]

Music and production

Style and influences

"First Weapon Drawn" is primarily an instrumental hip hop album rooted in the boom bap genre, characterized by underground, sample-heavy production that evokes a gritty, nostalgic sound. The project features hardy boom-bap beats with knocking drums and layered instrumentation, distinguishing it as a soundtrack rather than a traditional rap release.^[18] The album draws significant influences from 1970s comic book audio records, particularly the Power Records series, which inspired its read-along format combining music with narrative elements from the accompanying comic. Additional artistic inspirations include classic Wu-Tang Clan production aesthetics, reflected in the raw, cinematic edge, and sci-fi tropes that infuse the superhero-themed storyline with interstellar and action-oriented motifs. These elements create a throwback vibe reminiscent of old-time radio dramas and superhero soundtracks.^[11][21][18] Sonically, the album showcases aggressive beats crafted by producer 7L, incorporating pulsating guitar riffs, crescendo orchestration, and audio effects like feedback to build tension and drama. Brief narration provides sharp, story-driven interludes voiced by actors, enhancing the immersive quality without full verses from Inspectah Deck or Esoteric. Sound effects and instrumental passages further integrate comic book aesthetics, making the listening experience akin to an audio adventure.^[18][21] This release marks a notable departure from Czarface's prior albums, which emphasized straight rap delivery over dense lyricism; here, the focus shifts to a fully narrative-driven structure with extensive instrumental interludes, prioritizing atmospheric storytelling over vocal performances.^[18]

Recording process

The recording of First Weapon Drawn primarily occurred in 2016 at 7L's studio in Boston, Massachusetts, shortly after the November release of Czarface's prior album A Fistful of Peril, with sessions extending into early 2017 to meet the project's April 22 debut as a Record Store Day exclusive.^[11][13] 7L served as the lead producer, crafting the majority of the beats through sampling and fundamental hip-hop production techniques, while collaborators Todd Spadafore and Jeremy Page contributed to select tracks by adding live instrumentation and co-production elements, forming the basis of the album's accompanying production team, The Czar-Keys.^[22] Narration sessions featured voice work to evoke a 1970s radio-drama aesthetic, with Esoteric writing and performing key dialogue as part of the narrated adventure structure, supplemented by Kendra Morris on vocals for the opening "Czarface Theme" and additional layered voices to enhance the storytelling.^[11][23] Post-production focused on mixing the instrumental tracks with these vocal elements and integrated sound effects, such as cartoonish audio cues and dramatic transitions, to align the album with its companion comic book and create an immersive, soundtrack-like experience without traditional rapping.^[22][11]

Release and promotion

Formats and distribution

First Weapon Drawn was released through Silver Age, an independent hip hop imprint, on April 22, 2017, with an initial limited edition launched for Record Store Day.^[1] The exclusive Record Store Day format featured a sky blue vinyl LP packaged with a 24-page comic book in a gatefold jacket, emphasizing its collector's appeal as an audio-visual narrated adventure.^[2][24] Additional formats included digital download, broadening accessibility beyond the limited edition.^[25] Distribution occurred primarily through Get On Down and online retailers such as Amazon and the official Czarface store, targeting hip hop enthusiasts and vinyl collectors.^[2][4] A reissue on blue vinyl followed in 2023, maintaining the album's focus on physical media for fans.^[23]

Marketing strategies

The marketing strategies for First Weapon Drawn emphasized exclusivity and multimedia integration to engage hip-hop and comic book enthusiasts, capitalizing on the project's unique read-along format. A key tactic was the limited-edition bundle released exclusively for Record Store Day 2017, comprising a sky-blue vinyl LP and a 24-page full-color comic book housed in a gatefold jacket, with production capped at 2,000 copies worldwide to stimulate collector demand and drive foot traffic to independent record stores.^[14] To build pre-release anticipation, Czarface shared digital previews of select tracks, including the opening "Czarface Theme," via SoundCloud, allowing fans early access to the narrated adventure's audio elements ahead of the April 22, 2017, launch.^[21] The full album later became available on streaming platforms like Spotify post-release, but these initial snippets were instrumental in generating buzz within online hip-hop communities.^[26] Promotional efforts extended to tie-in announcements highlighting the comic book's narrative, featured in outlets such as Paste Magazine and CBR, which provided exclusive previews of the artwork and storyline to bridge hip-hop and comics audiences.^[21][11] These announcements underscored the project's collaborative spirit, drawing on Inspectah Deck's established reputation as a Wu-Tang Clan member to amplify exposure across broader rap circuits and attract longtime fans of the group's lore.^[21]

Commercial performance

Chart performance

First Weapon Drawn achieved modest chart success on Billboard charts, reflecting its niche appeal within the underground hip hop scene. The album debuted and peaked at number 44 on the US Independent Albums chart in 2017, shortly after its April 22 release date via Silver Age Records. It also reached number 16 on the US Heatseekers Albums chart during the same period, indicating strong initial interest among emerging and independent artists. Internationally, First Weapon Drawn did not enter major charts such as the UK Albums Chart or Canadian Albums Chart. However, it received recognition in underground hip hop compilations and rankings, underscoring its cult following among fans of boom bap and comic-integrated releases. Compared to Czarface's previous album, Every Hero Needs a Villain (2015), which peaked at number 19 on the Independent Albums chart and number 4 on the Heatseekers Albums chart, First Weapon Drawn's positions were lower, consistent with the group's independent status and experimental format. This performance highlighted the album's targeted reception rather than broad commercial breakthrough.

Sales and impact

First Weapon Drawn achieved modest commercial success as an independent release, primarily through limited-edition vinyl bundles that included a 24-page comic book, which appealed to collectors and fans of the group's multimedia approach.^[11] The album, initially exclusive to Record Store Day 2017, did not receive any RIAA certifications, reflecting its niche status in the underground hip-hop scene.^[27] Sales were boosted by the unique packaging, combining instrumental tracks with narrated storytelling tied to the comic's narrative.^[2] The album strengthened Czarface's position within the comic-hip hop niche, blending East Coast rap production with superhero-themed visuals and lore, which influenced their subsequent multimedia endeavors.^[7] This fusion helped solidify the group's identity as innovators in integrating comic book culture with hip-hop, paving the way for later projects like the 2019 comic/LP bundle Double Dose of Danger.^[7] Fan reception generated positive buzz in underground hip-hop communities, evidenced by the sustained demand that led to a 2023 reissue on sky blue vinyl with the comic.^[23] The reissue underscores the album's enduring appeal among dedicated listeners.^[28] In terms of legacy, First Weapon Drawn enhanced Czarface's cult following by establishing a template for narrated, comic-accompanied releases, contributing to the group's rising output and collaborative success in the years following its debut.^[7]

Critical reception

Reviews and ratings

Upon its release, First Weapon Drawn received limited reviews from music critics, who appreciated its innovative concept but often highlighted its experimental nature as a limitation for broader audiences. HipHopDX gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars, commending 7L's production as some of the strongest in the Czarface catalog and praising the evocative, cinematic instrumentation that complements the comic book narrative, while noting the lack of rapping and limited replay value due to its brevity and niche focus on hip-hop and comic enthusiasts.^[18] Aggregators reflected this reception, with Album of the Year reporting a critic score of 70 out of 100 (equivalent to roughly 3.5/5) based on the HipHopDX review, alongside a user score of 55 out of 100 from 55 ratings as of November 2025.^[29] Rate Your Music users averaged 2.9 out of 5 from 228 ratings as of November 2025, aligning with critiques of the project's gimmicky elements.^[30] Critics commonly praised the album's creative format as a read-along soundtrack to a 24-page comic, blending solid boom bap production with dramatic skits for an immersive, wordless adventure, but criticized its short 35-minute runtime and absence of lyrics, which contributed to its niche appeal rather than mainstream replayability.^[18] A notable quote from the HipHopDX review captures this sentiment: "7L’s production here is some of strongest found throughout all the releases," underscoring the project's strengths in sound design despite its experimental constraints.^[18]

Thematic analysis

"First Weapon Drawn" represents a unique fusion of hip hop aesthetics and narrative-driven storytelling, presenting the origin of the Czarface character as a washed-up wrestler transformed into an energy-wielding antihero through a combination of instrumental beats and dramatized narration. This approach infuses the project's inherent bravado—rooted in the bombastic, superheroic persona synonymous with Czarface's hip hop output—with a serialized comic book format that unfolds alongside the audio, encouraging active engagement rather than passive consumption.^[11][18] The album revives a read-along style reminiscent of 1970s Power Records adaptations within the hip hop genre. Unlike traditional rap albums, it eschews verses entirely in favor of evocative production and skits, creating a cinematic experience that expands hip hop's boundaries into interactive storytelling. This departure marks a significant evolution for Czarface, building on their earlier lyric-heavy works like "Czarface" (2013) and "Every Hero Needs a Villain" (2015), where battle rap bravado dominated, toward a more immersive, production-focused multimedia progression evident in later releases such as "A Czar Is Born" (2021).^[11][18][15] At its core, the project offers cultural commentary on language as a primary weapon in conflicts, a motif drawn from the promotional ethos that "the first weapon drawn in a conflict is language, but the first weapon drawn for Czarface is music," reinterpreting rap's combative essence through narrated drama rather than direct lyrical sparring. This ties directly to the Wu-Tang Clan's legacy, with Inspectah Deck's involvement channeling the group's storied emphasis on verbal mastery and mythic personas, adapting those elements into a non-verbal, atmospheric battle narrative centered on the Czarface character's rise.^[2][11]

Track listing

Personnel

Vocals

• Inspectah Deck – vocals
• Esoteric – vocals, voices
• Kendra Morris – vocals (Czarface Theme)^[24]
• Forever Tomorrow – voices
• Kelly Hammer – voices
• Troy Hudson – voices

Production

• 7L – producer, executive producer^[2]
• The Czar-Keys (Todd Spadafore) – producer^[2]
• Jeremy Page – producer, instruments^[24]
• Inspectah Deck – executive producer
• Esoteric – executive producer, writer
• Jason Bitner – mastering^[28]
• WG – vinyl mastering^[24]

Instruments

• Yuki Kanesaka – instruments^[28]
• Andy Bauer – drums (track B3)
• Sam Merrick – drums (track A4)
• Zack Martin – drums (track A6)

Artwork and design

• Lamour Supreme – cover art^[28]
• Gilberto Aguirre Mata (El Último Códice) – comic art, pencils, inks, lettering, colors^[23]
• Alfredo Rico-Dimas – layout, design^[28]

Other

• Paul Williams – packaging^[24]
• Seamus Ryan – story writer, additional vocals^[28]
• Esoteric – story writer