Thrasher Jun 2013

This issue of Thrasher leans into the weird, the far-flung, and the straight-up chaotic spirit of skating. “Plates of the Pros” kicks things off with a tongue-in-cheek shrug, before the mag drifts into global terrain, from Pudwill’s China trip, framed as pure skate heaven, to Volcom’s South America mission that feels one helicopter short of total madness. Clint Walker’s presence looms large, equal parts outlaw energy and absurd storytelling, while pieces like “Heads” and CONS Texas tap into the sketchy, unpredictable edges where the best footage tends to live.

By the time “Death Match” rolls in, things get looser and more experimental, blending skating with music and tripped-out creativity, before Louie Barletta’s cosmic wallride sequence closes it all on a surreal high note. The cover seals the deal with Walker’s brutal back Smith, rough, fast, and unforgiving, a perfect snapshot of the issue’s tone. Altogether, it reads like a road trip with no map, bouncing between countries, personalities, and moments that feel half-legend, half-total chaos.