Jim Phillips is a living legend and one of my personal heroes. He emailed me to let me know that he has a new book available. It is certain to be chocked full o’ Phillips Studios goodness. I’ve ordered a copy and you should too.

The number of trailblazing artists that contributed to the success of the skateboard industry can be counted on one hand. Jim Phillips would be the thumb of that hand.

“Terry, why are you calling Jim the thumb?” you ask.

Dudes, he’s the thumb. That’s the important one. (Try drawing something—anything—without your thumb.)

Jim designed some of the most iconic and memorable skateboard graphics in the history of skateboarding. His style is instantly recognizable.

From the publisher:

This retrospective on Jim’s skateboard art bombards the reader with colorful skateboard decks, logos, ad art, ad layouts, photos and stickers to illustrate the history of skateboarding from the urethane revolution up to the present. You are invited for a ride, an inside view of Phillips Studios, to observe the wacky world of his crazed studio artists, and examine their graphic assignments. The story traces the roots of skateboarding with more than a half-century of Phillips’ involvement. It provides insight into the creative evolution of the sport and the worldwide interest and influence that has occurred from this California artist.

So take that paltry thirty bones you were going to spend on drinks and order your copy today!

For anyone looking to buy me that perfect birthday gift… I will take as many Mike Vallely Elephants as I can get.

One to keep because I love the art and a few to skate. (Yeah, I said a few. That would be nice.)

This is one of my favorites and somehow, Powell and Mike Vallely came to an agreement and have reissued them. They will begin shipping in October.

There you have it. It is what you buy for the man who has everything. I can’t imagine anything else I would want… except for maybe the Vallely Elephant reissue t-shirt:

I bought this deck because of the reputation the company had in the 80s. I remember those steep, tri-tailed Alvas being rock-hard maple thrash devices. This Alva is not those Alvas.

First complaint: In no way does this feel like an American or Canadian made deck. Maybe I am wrong but to me it does not feel as if the wood has the firmness I have come to expect from skate manufacturers (like my Black Label/Red Kross Hosoi—quite simply the most perfect deck I have ever owned.)

Second complaint: This deck needs some more concave. It is feeling a bit shallow.

Third complaint: The squaretail has heat transferred graphics. I do not understand the reasoning behind it since the only graphic is the oversized Alva logo—easily screenable.

I am not a big fan of companies cutting corners to save a buck and this feels like one of those times.

What did I learn from this? Do not buy a skateboard deck online from a company that you haven’t been able to pick up and physically inspect before.