Air Jordan 4 "Comic": Officially Drops, Inspired by the 1989 Vintage Tee

The Air Jordan 4 "Comic" officially dropped today, July 25, 2026, marking one of Jordan Brand's most notable Retro releases this year. For OG sneakerheads, this is a good moment to revisit the inspiration behind the shoe: a vintage 1989 Air Jordan tee featuring a comic-book style illustration of Michael Jordan.

The Story Behind the Colorway

1989 was the era when Nike started building the Air Jordan image into a pop culture icon, not just a basketball silhouette. The pop-art prints and halftone effects common on American comic covers back then became visual DNA for a whole generation of merchandise. The AJ4 "Comic" brings that spirit back through a contemporary design language rather than a straight reproduction.

Standout Details on the Upper

An off-white leather base keeps things neutral, letting the mesh and eyelets pop with a yellow-pink-red gradient that reads like an actual comic page. The black wings, midsole, and heel tab create a panel-border effect, echoing the framed layout of vintage comic strips.

The Nike Air branding on the heel gets a pop-art treatment, a small detail but enough to confirm this is an intentional colorway rather than a trend-chasing drop. The outsole mixes light pink, muslin, and darker traction points, keeping the overall look balanced instead of letting it overpower the upper.

Air Jordan 4 “Comic”

Style CodeJA1135-100

Release DateJul 25, 2026

Retail Price$230

Quick Take

For anyone who follows Jordan Brand's colorway history, the AJ4 "Comic" is a solid example of pulling old street culture references into a new narrative. The shoe is already on shelves as of today, so if you're after a Retro with a story that stands apart from the rest, it's worth grabbing before hot sizes sell out.