Anti Hero Skateboards: Speed, Chaos, and Pure San Francisco Skateboarding

Anti Hero Skateboards is one of the most authentic, aggressive, and respected brands in the history of global skateboarding. Founded in the mid-1990s by absolute legends like Julien Stranger and John Cardiel, the brand quickly became the symbol of the rawest, fastest, and most anti-establishment skateboarding ever to emerge from the San Francisco scene.

We’re not talking about just another commercial skate company. Anti Hero still represents the rawest spirit of American skateboarding today. Zero compromises, zero manufactured image, zero posturing. Just real skateboarding by skaters who have always lived on the streets, tackling violent transitions, hill bombs, the most dangerous pools, and the wildest spots imaginable.

The famous logo featuring the spread-winged eagle has become, over the years, one of the most iconic symbols of global skateboarding. Speed, power, chaos, and absolute freedom: Anti Hero has always been the perfect embodiment of all this.

Todd Francis and the AntiHero Visual Identity

A fundamental part of AntiHero Skateboards’ identity stems from the work of Todd Francis, the brand’s longtime illustrator and a pivotal figure in American skate culture.

His graphics are instantly recognizable: ironic, gritty, provocative, absurd, and completely unconventional. Each illustration perfectly captures the brand’s rebellious and wild spirit.

Anti Hero has never tried to follow the trends of modern skateboarding. On the contrary, the brand has always maintained a deliberately punk, underground, and nonconformist aesthetic, becoming over the years an absolute benchmark for those seeking the most authentic skateboarding experience.

Jim Thiebaud, Deluxe Distribution, and the Birth of the Brand

Behind the birth of Anti Hero stands Jim Thiebaud, a legendary figure in San Francisco skateboarding and founder of Deluxe Distribution.

It was Thiebaud himself who gave Julien Stranger the real opportunity to found Anti Hero Skateboards. To this day, the brand remains part of the legendary Deluxe Distribution, arguably the most important and influential skate distribution company in history.

Deluxe has given rise to iconic brands such as Spitfire Wheels, Real Skateboards, Krooked Skateboards, and Anti Hero itself. For countless skaters, Deluxe still represents the heart of San Francisco skateboarding.

The decks produced by the distribution company are renowned for their build quality, pop, durability, and high-performance shapes. Anti Hero continues to produce decks with solid concaves, aggressive shapes, and a very direct feel underfoot—perfect for fast, powerful skateboarding.

Anti Hero is not a brand for posers

Anti Hero Skateboards has never been a brand built for posers or for those who view skateboarding solely as an aesthetic image.

The brand’s identity has always been tied to the most radical skateboarding. The Anti Hero team has built its reputation by skating massive spots, impossible rough spots, violent pools, insane hill bombs, gigantic gaps, and extremely difficult transitions.

Every video from the brand conveys speed, controlled chaos, and pure power. Anti Hero riders often tackle tricks and spots that very few skaters in the world would even be willing to attempt.

And it is precisely this completely out-of-control approach that has transformed Anti Hero into one of the most beloved and respected skate companies of all time.

Anti Hero Skateboards and the videos that made history

Over the years, Anti Hero has released some of the most legendary videos in the history of skateboarding.

In the ’90s, the legendary full-length “Cow” was released, a video that is still considered a milestone in American hardcore skateboarding.

In the video, John Cardiel takes his skateboarding to extraordinary levels, with a power and madness that have influenced entire generations of skaters.

Alongside him are legendary riders like Julien Stranger, Bob Burnquist, Andy Roy, Tony Trujillo, and Sean Young, all united by a violent, uncompromising style.

In the years that followed, Anti Hero continued to release video clips that became absolute cult classics in the international skate community. Among the best known are “The Body Corporate,” “Destination Unknown,” and “Arbitrary Function.”

The latter is a total distillation of hardcore skateboarding: insane spots, breakneck speeds, massive transitions, and devastating tricks executed by one of the strongest teams ever to exist.

The real American people’s brand

Anti Hero represents that part of American skateboarding that completely rejects any form of the establishment.

The brand embodies the freest and purest spirit of skateboarding, born truly on the streets. There are no filters, no contrived marketing strategies, and no fashion trends to follow. Anti Hero has always remained faithful only to true skateboarding.

It is a brand that has always hated the excessive commercialization of modern skateboarding and continues to this day to represent the rawest and most authentic skate culture possible.

The rougher, more dangerous, and more out-of-control a spot is, the more at home the Anti Hero team seems to be. Giant pools, massive handrails, impossible rough spots, high-speed hill bombs, and brutal transitions have been part of the brand’s DNA since day one.

A team of living legends

Throughout its history, Anti Hero has fielded one of the most insane teams ever assembled in skateboarding.

Among the most important legends are John Cardiel, Frank Gerwer, Tony Trujillo, Brian Anderson, Daan Van Der Linden, Grant Taylor, Andrew Allen, Robbie Russo, Peter Hewitt, Jeff Grosso, Chris Pfanner, Raney Beres, Sean Gutierrez, and many other riders who have left a huge mark on global skate culture.

Every skater on the team has always perfectly embodied the Anti Hero philosophy: speed, power, aggressive style, and a total lack of compromise.

Anti Hero boards are still considered among the best on the market today for overall quality, shape, concave, and feel underfoot. Anyone who has truly skated knows the brand’s reputation.

Jeff Grosso and Grant Taylor

In 2011, Jeff Grosso officially joined the Anti Hero family. For countless skaters, it was a historic moment.

Jeff Grosso was one of the most important and authentic voices in global skateboarding. His addition to the team further reinforced the brand’s hardcore and authentic identity. Unfortunately, Jeff Grosso left us too soon, but his contribution to skate culture will remain immortal forever.

Around the same time, Grant Taylor—one of the most powerful skaters ever—also officially joined the team. After leaving Alien Workshop, Grant Taylor brought devastating skateboarding to Anti Hero, characterized by speed, total control, and massive tricks.

In 2011, Taylor won the title of Thrasher Skater of the Year, confirming his status as one of the strongest riders on the planet. His joining the team had a massive impact on the modern image of Anti Hero Skateboards.

Buy Anti Hero Skateboards at Pleasures Milano

At Pleasures Milano, we select only skateboards we truly know and that we know perform during real sessions.

If you need advice on choosing the right Anti Hero board, the correct setup, or a truly balanced complete skateboard, we can help you find the perfect configuration for your skateboarding style.

Whether you’re looking for an Anti Hero street deck, a more versatile board, or a powerful setup for transition and pool skating, we’ll help you choose components that truly work together.

For over 27 years, Pleasures Milano has lived and breathed skateboarding every day—from the streets, bowls, and parks to authentic skate culture.

We ship quickly throughout Italy and Europe with genuine pre- and post-sales support. Pleasures Milano has been all about real skateboarding since 1999.