It’s no easy job saving the world for our favorite superheroes. But here at StockX, we like to think that it’s a little easier to fight crime and do good while rocking some cool kicks. And what’s a more iconic sneaker to wear while battling evil than a pair of Jordans?
Believe it or not, since the early 1990s, our beloved caped crusaders have sported Js in comic book film adaptations. In 1992’s Batman Returns, the Air Jordan 6 served as the inspiration and mold for the now-infamous black Batman boot that Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne wore. Thirty years later, crime-fighters are still being caught in Jordans.
Let’s begin by having a look at the Spider-Man universe, which made headlines for showcasing Jordans in the poster for 2018’s animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Air Jordan 1 Retro High Origin Story
The particular high-top that the film’s protagonist and hero, Miles Morales, wore – the Air Jordan 1 Retro High Origin Story – was actually created by Nike specially for the release, derived from the OG Jordan 1. In the movie’s poster, our hero is seen flying through the air, with the Js prominently displayed. Featuring a subtle dot pattern seen in many old printed comics to give the cartoons texture, the shoe pays homage to the iconic city’s colorway of red, white, and blue.
Jordan 1 Retro High Neutral Grey Hyper Crimson
Now, we turn to the man himself, Peter Parker. Stealthy fans of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in the 2021 film Spider-Man: No Way Home were quick to notice Spidey sporting a pair of Jordan 1 Retro High Neutral Grey Hyper Crimsons.
This particular AJ1 boasts a black upper along with grey and red accents, a grey Nike Swoosh, grey sole, red inner lining, and white midsole. Originally debuting in January 2019, the pair proved so popular that the movie chose these particular Js two years after its release. It’s an instant classic that’s still increasing in trade value on StockX nearly three years after its introduction.
Jordan 6 Retro Black Infrared (2019)
Another crime-fighter who suited up with Jordans is none other than Mr. Wayne. As we alluded to earlier, it was Batman himself who began the superhero Jordan trend way back in 1992. The Js that Michael Keaton’s Batman wears throughout the film is modeled after the Air Jordan 6, though completely original and made exclusively for the film. It’s a sleek, all-black boot, with a knee-high extension, brilliantly made for the caped crusader.
And while you may not be able to cop a pair of these Js – though a lucky person won the right foot boot, signed by Keaton himself, in a 2015 auction – look no further than the AJ6 Infrared. It’s a classic colorway that originally dropped in 1991 and was the first Jordan to be worn by a superhero – and also worn by the man himself, Michael Jordan, when he won his first NBA championship.
Air Jordan Access Bred
One of the newer additions to the Marvel Comics films, Shang-Chi, has also adopted J’s as his go-to sneakers while saving the world. Simu Liu’s portrayal of the superhero in the 2021 film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings saw him laced up in a pair of Air Jordan Access in the Bred colorway. Much like Batman, Shang-Chi wears the sneakers throughout the film, including during the epic battle between him and his evil father, Wenwu (portrayed by Tony Leung). Not only are these particular Js one of our favorites for its sleek colorways and ‘90s-like Chicago Bulls jersey vibes, but Shang-Chi gives them a whole new level of cool.
