Creature Skateboards: The Horror Brand That Transformed Aggressive Skateboarding

Creature Skateboards is one of the most iconic, dark, and aggressive brands ever to emerge in the history of skateboarding. Born from the imagination of the legendary Darren Navarrette, Creature has never been just a skateboard brand. From the very beginning, the project was conceived as a truly alternative identity for the rawest, heaviest, and most uncompromising form of skateboarding.

The brand was officially launched in 1994 under the umbrella of NHS Distribution, the same historic group behind Santa Cruz Skateboards, Independent Trucks, and many other giants of the global skateboarding scene. Creature, however, was created as a separate project, with an image completely different from the classic skate brands of the era.

While many brands of the ’90s began pushing a more technical and minimalist style of skateboarding, Creature decided to go in the opposite direction: horror graphics, a heavy metal attitude, pool skating, massive handrails, violent transitions, and an aggressive, unfiltered style.

Darren Navarrette and the Dark Origins of Creature Skateboards

Behind all this is Darren Navarrette, one of the most respected and underrated vert skaters of his generation. Born in Minneapolis in 1976, Darren grew up developing a total passion for halfpipe, bowl, and transition skateboarding. From the very beginning, his style stood out immediately for its speed, massive airs, and incredible control on vertical ramps.

In the 1990s, vert skateboarding went through what was likely the most difficult period in its history. Street skating completely took over the global scene, and countless vert skaters disappeared or abandoned the ramps.

Darren Navarrette, however, continued to skate vert without ever stopping, keeping alive a culture that was on the verge of disappearing. It is precisely this extreme mindset, faithful to its roots, that would become the DNA of Creature Skateboards.

The Vertical Vampire Who Kept Vert Skateboarding Alive in the 90s

In the skate world, Darren Navarrette was known everywhere as “The Vertical Vampire.” His very long hair, heavy metal style, tattoos, and unconventional presence made him instantly recognizable at any contest or skatepark.

Dave Swift, a legendary photographer for Transworld Skateboarding, recounted that the first time he saw Darren from a distance, he actually thought he was a girl because of his extremely long hair and a look completely different from other skaters of the era. But as soon as he started skating, any doubt vanished immediately.

Navarrette was famous for sky-high airs, impressive speed, and technical tricks in the transition. His melon kickflip is still considered one of the most stylish ever performed in vert skating. Darren wasn’t just a pure vert rider, though: he skated streets, pools, ditches, and every possible spot. For him, skateboarding has always been total, all-around freedom.

Over the years, Darren skated alongside legends like Tony Hawk, Lance Mountain, Omar Hassan, and many other California legends of transition skateboarding.

This environment helped shape his vision of skateboarding: aggressive, fast, powerful, and authentic. When Creature was founded, Darren wanted to channel exactly this energy into the brand.

The Birth of Creature Skateboards and the First Cult Videos

In 1994, NHS and Lee Charron decided to collaborate with Darren Navarrette to launch Creature Skateboards. The initial idea was to create something totally new compared to the traditional brands of the early ’90s.

Skateboarding at that time was becoming increasingly “clean” and focused on technical street skating. Creature, on the other hand, arrived like a creature emerging from a graveyard: monsters, vampires, skulls, dragons, blood, horror graphics, and a completely punk and metal attitude.

From the very first months, the Creature team included heavyweights like Jason Adams and Russ Pope. The team’s skateboarding was a perfect reflection of the brand: fast, reckless, dangerous, and fearless.

Unfortunately, the initial project immediately encountered several difficulties. After a short time, some riders left the team, and NHS decided to temporarily put the brand on hold. Creature, however, didn’t truly disappear. Darren continued to keep the project’s original vision alive by documenting the team and producing increasingly extreme footage.

In 1996, “Heshers on the Run” was released, followed in 1997 by “Fiends.” Two videos that are still remembered today as cult classics of 90s underground skateboarding.

Massive tricks, brutal crashes, raw pool skating, and insane spots began to define the brand’s definitive identity. Creature was slowly building something unique.

The Brand’s Rebirth and the Rise of the Creature Horde

In 2002, Creature Skateboards was officially reborn thanks to the work of Darren Navarrette and Lee Charron. The logo was redesigned, the graphics evolved, and the brand finally began to take its definitive form.

The “Creature Horde” was officially born. The horror aesthetic was taken to the highest level. Deformed monsters, zombies, vampires, splatter graphics, and dark atmospheres became the brand’s symbol. But Creature didn’t just focus on image. The brand’s true strength has always been the team’s insane skill level.

In 2006, “Born Dead” was released, one of the heaviest and most influential videos of the new Creature era. The team, featuring riders like David Gravette, Partanen, Perkins, and Pontus Alv, showcased aggressive, no-holds-barred skateboarding.

Huge handrails, crazy hill bombs, brutal pools, and tricks pulled off at insane speeds. Every part feels like a war against the spots.

In the following years, other historic videos like “Black Metal” and “Hesh Law” were released, productions that definitively cemented Creature as one of the most respected brands in the hardcore skateboarding world.

In 2012, the brand reached another level with “CSFU.” For many skaters, this is one of the best skate videos of the 2010s. The team—comprising Gravette, Partanen, Mallory, Kimbel, and Graham—attacks gigantic spots without a shred of fear. The Creature style has become instantly recognizable everywhere: fast, brutal, and totally out of control.

Creature Skateboards today: hill bombs, horror, and extreme skateboarding

Today, Creature Skateboards continues to be one of the strongest and most consistent brands on the global scene. The modern team is simply devastating.

Among the most representative riders are Milton Martinez, David Gravette, Chris Russell, Cody Lockwood, Kevin Baekkel, Jimmy Wilkins, Willis Kimbel, John Gardner, and Collin Provost.

Milton Martinez has become a true modern skateboarding icon thanks to his insane hill bombs and the most dangerous lines seen in recent years. His approach perfectly embodies the Creature philosophy: zero fear and maximum intensity.

Collin Provost also fits perfectly into the Horde thanks to his technical yet extremely aggressive skateboarding. Every new Creature video continues to push the bar higher and higher.

From a technical standpoint, Creature boards are now among the best built by NHS. Many models utilize advanced technologies with carbon inserts, lightweight constructions, and modern shapes designed to withstand extremely heavy skateboarding.

Creature decks are famous for their pop, durability, and stability. Added to this are the now-legendary horror graphics that have made the brand recognizable worldwide.

In many ways, Creature represents the modern evolution of historic ’80s brands like Zorlac. Horror culture, punk attitude, metal, pool skating, and extreme street skating are blended into a unique formula that no other brand has yet truly managed to replicate.

Creature Skateboards Online Shop at Pleasures Milano

At Pleasures Milano, you’ll find a selection of Creature Skateboards decks, complete skateboards, apparel, and accessories curated by real skaters with over 25 years of hands-on experience in the skateboarding scene.

If you love aggressive skateboarding, transitions, bowl riding, hill bombs, and setups built to truly withstand the test of time, Creature is one of the most reliable brands you can choose today.

Our team selects only truly high-quality products, tested and built for those who live and breathe skateboarding every day. We can help you choose the right board size, the ideal setup, and all the components best suited to your style.

Pleasures Milano has been supporting skateboarding culture since 1999 with authentic experience, genuine passion, and a selection curated by those who truly live the skate life—whether on the street, in the bowl, at the skatepark, or on real transitions.