Like any convention, some fans showed up at Fan Expo Canada last weekend with a shopping list in mind. Comic fans used the event to track down issues to complete a particular run of books. Fans of Anime, Sci Fi and Horror used it to acquire items that may not yet be released in their area. But for me, there was only one item on my list that was “Must Get”: Welcome to Cobra Island, the newest album from Canadian Nerd Rapper Wordburglar. I have been waiting for the release of this album since May when a 3 track single was released featuring Rap Viper and A Letter From Snake Eyes parts 1 and 2. If you’ve ever gotten a chance to check out Geek Hard’s weekly internet radio show, you might already know about my love of all things G.I. Joe. Already being a fan of Wordburglar as well, it was a happy day when he announced this would be his next record. A concept album all about Cobra (the Enemy) was right up my alley. I am a fan of not only the classic cartoon but also the figures and both the classic and current comic series. Little did I know that all points of Joe fandom would be covered in the 12 tracks available on the disc.

No stone is unturned on this tribute to Snake-lovin’ Terrorists. Using the comic work of both Larry Hama and Chuck Dixon as well as stories from both the animated series (even the more inferior DIC episodes including Operation Dragonfire) and the cartoon movie from 1987, Wordburglar paints a pretty detailed picture of all things Cobra does so over some classic samples of the score to the original cartoon. And it’s not just name-dropping here. He actually boils down and reminisces about actual plots from over 20 years ago. What’s great is that his rhymes do a great job of telling the back story on Cobra Commander, Destro, Snake Eyes and the Cobra organization itself. When the initial 3 tracks were released, I marveled at his Joe knowledge. But that was just the tip of the Iceburg (another Joe name).

The title track does what it sets out to do, it welcomes you to Cobra Island, clearly stating that a place like this is not for the faint of heart. Call Destro is half a history lesson on this scotish arms dealer and have an advertisement, boasting of his many inventions and conquests (“And when it comes to women, there’s no comparing this. The ony man who’s had Zarana and the Baroness.”) Zartan also gets his moment to shine (or turn blue as it were) with That Guy with the Disguises, a look at his powers and convoluted history.  Even lesser known villain Fred Broca gets a tribute with the Broca Beach Remix. Something that was set up in the comics was that all the Crimson Guards are named Fred and are sugically and gentically altered to look and sound the same. In one story, a Fred is killed in action and instead of straight up telling his family, they send another Fred home in his place. And even though the family knew it wasn’t their Fred, they still accepted him and put on the charade of a regular family. There’s actually a song that touches on this. That is some pure G.I. Joe knowlege and love on display. You might think, “Well why would I care? I’m not that hardcore of a Joe fan.” The beauty is that the story’s all there in his rhymes so all you gotta do is listen. And the song’s got a great beat and flow. Who cares if this is the first time you’ve heard of Fred Broca. After this song, you won’t forget him again.

The final chapter of A Letter From Snakes Eyes (Part 3) lives up to the first two installments as it concludes his pre-Joe days and covers the disfigurement and injury that made him into the faceless, silent ninja that we’ve always known him to be. But all of these songs, while great, are nothing compared to the final track on the album, Chuckles (The Last Laugh).

A couple of years back, when IDW Press first got the G.I. Joe license, 3 comic titles were launched under the Joe banner. These books were a reset for the franchise as they would retell the origins of Cobra and the forming of the Joes. One of these titles was Cobra and starred Chuckles, the G.I.Joe who’s specialty is infiltration and espionage. Over the course of the series, Chuckles is in deep under cover and finds his way into the upper ranks of Cobra. What followed was an assasination of the Commander himself and a suicide mission to destroy Cobra’s base. Written by Christos Gage and Mike Costa, it was one of the best comics of the year. The entire story is retold here in the rhymes of Wordburglar. If you know the story, the song will make you proud to be a Joe fan. If you’ve never read it, this song will make you want to pick up every issue. It’s both a glowing testament to the depths of Wordburglar’s knowlege on the Real American Hero and his abilities as a performer to present the facts in such an entertaining and engaging way.

If you’re a fan of all things Joe, you need to pick up this album. If you’re a fan of Wordburglar, you need to pick up this album. If you’re a fan of well crafted Hip Hop albums, you need to buy this right now. Welcome to Cobra Island is the best concept album I’ve heard in a long time and is worth your time. Just Accept my review and let it steer you towards this purchase…..and count on Snake Eyes.

If you’re gonna geek out, GEEK HARD!

Rocking you from Springfield to the Cobra Citadel, Welcome to Cobra Island is an amazing tribute to everybody’s favourite snakes in the grass.