An ad agency called EyeWonder has created some crazy banner ads for web pages that unfold and let interested parties fool around and learn about Tony Hawk’s Project 8 game without having to leave the page. You can do things like use your cursor to scrub through the super slow motion “Nail the Trick” sequences and view trailers and screen captures. It’s very well thought out use of web technology to draw in the viewer. The average game console graphics engine must not be up to snuff when it comes to skinning the character’s shoes, otherwise I can’t believe they would pass up the extra product tie-in opportunity with the accompanying kick-back. Check out a demo of the ad here, and no, they didn’t pay to be included here, It just happens that it’s interesting enough to warrant a post here. Free advertising… Bastards! [Source: Eywonder]

Hot Wheels Skate Freaks is a collection of skateboard toys that looks like it was designed in the 80’s. The figures appear to based on some Sizzler type technology they resurrected in some time around 2000 for skateboard toys. Watch this commercial with an Extreme™ voiceover and more Skate Freaks action after the jump.

Andy Jenkins of Mel Bend fame among other things has a vinyl figure of Wrench Pilot character Lettus Bee taking faceplant. Limited to 500 pieces and costing $100 (!??), I suppose people would be upset if you called it a “plastic toy.” It’s pretty cool actually, but not a hundred bucks cool. Too rich for my blood. MOre pics after the jump. [Source: Sublimited]

From WLTX News in South Carolina: Officer Who Shoved Skateboarder Gets Suspension CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP, WLTX) — The Charleston police officer seen on Internet video pushing a skateboarder over a bush at a city park has been suspended for ten days. Police Chief Greg Mullen says 49-year-old officer Willie Simmons used an unnecessary level of force. The 19-year-old skateboarder declined to file assault charges against Simmons. The officer was taped pushing a skateboarder off his board at the Waterpark in downtown. The officer defended herself by saying that that skateboarding is illegal in Charleston. As a result, the 19-year-old injured his lower back and ankle. Fascinating. Now watch it again.

OK, We might lose a few readers with this post, but the Zombie Jesus pro model from Creature made me chuckle. It reminded me of those equally tasteless but funny rock concert t-shirts from the 80’s that said “Adolf Hitler World Tour.” The best part was on the back where it listed the tour dates and locations. The England entry said “Cancelled.” I’m actually kind of surprised Creature is selling these. I’m guessing they hope to avoid too much controversy by keeping them limited to 500 pieces. Or possibly, the artwork is so crappy, that’s all they think they can sell. This board gets an “A” for the concept and a “C minus, minus” for execution. Really. It looks like hell. Actually, the only thing keeping this board from being completely uninteresting (aside from the whole blasphemy thing) is the marketing. It’s being released on Good Friday and You can’t “Passover” this insanse-o limited release.

The premiere issue of Craft Magazine featured artist Jenny Hart supposedly embroidering a skateboard. I actually have this issue, It’s not really embroidered, she just drills and laces the edge like a souvenir indian belt. Actually that might be pretty cool for grabs, like one of those steering wheel covers from Pep Boys. Not so good for slides though. To her credit, she points that out in the article. Pretty good magazine. From O’Reilly those tech publishers who also produce Make.

I received more spam from Chinese skateboard manufacturer. Not very remarkable except for a few things. The first thing I noticed was a picture of an assembly line for completes. Are those children or small women on the line? Look at the shot of the factory. I swear those are soldiers guarding the entrance to the plant. Also interesting, you can buy blanks for under $6. American skateboard manufacturing is doomed.

Do you want to see a dead guy skate vert? (I don’t mean Ben Pappas. ) Gunther von Hagens looks more like a character in a bad movie than he does a scientist, but he started the Institute for Plastination to preserve bodies in clear plastic. His latest traveling exhibition is called Body Worlds 3 and it features a creepy looking skateboarder inverted. Is that a frontside invert? You can even buy posters of a dead guy skating vert, and I don’t mean Jeff Phillips.

No these aren’t more laser cut skateboards again, but a few house cleaning links to skateboard art, including a Paul Schmitt program at a technical school, embroidered skateboards, and one show in Kansas that looks like it was held in Twin Peaks.

Keeping in mind that some kinks need to be worked out… is this design more or less annoying than it used to be? Comments? Suggestions?