DC Universe and Reebok have partnered up to create a limited series of shoes based on some iconic supers — Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are all represented, as well as some truly villainous baddies — Lex Luthor, the Joker, and Harley Quinn. The shoes are genuinely very cute, and we’ve got a ton of images for you to click through. All shoes will be available December 2nd, here.
I feel like this slideshow should really start with a soundbite from a classic fighting game. One of those arcade button smashers that yells out, ‘Ready… fight!’ in a voice that nobody finds convincing as you start to frantically press any combination of buttons within reach to attempt a spinning back kick.
But I don’t have the technological know-how to code a custom sound effect, so you’ll have to settle for a series of slides showing off the range of new DC Universe-inspired Reeboks that I actually find pretty cool. Check it out.
Justice League
So we’ll start with the good guys; Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. All these shoes are athletic/performance shoes, whether they’re for running or sports, they’re clearly meant for action.
Superman
The Superman shoe is based on the Shaq Attaq and retails for $US180 ($250). Inspired by the Man of Steel himself, this version of the shoe pays homage to some of Superman’s most crucial superpowers.
Man of Steel
The translucent hardware on the shoe that references his x-ray vision and the icy outsole based on Superman’s cold breath. I’m not a massive fan of this shoe, honestly, it just looks like another thick sneaker colorway, but if you’re looking for Branding this one’s got it.
Batman
The Batman shoe is based on the classic Reebok silhouette, the LX2200. It’s built as a running shoe, and retails for $US110 ($153). There are a lot of details on this shoe that reflect the Batsuit, even through all its changes and iterations.
Vengeance
The little Bat emblem is reflective, and the lace guard is actually pretty ingenious. The debossed scuffs on the sides are supposed to be reminiscent of all the knocks the Batsuit has taken, and it’s kind of a charming and silly detail that I enjoy.
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman’s armour — pretty clearly her film armour — is the lead in this design, which is inpired by the Nano X2 $US150 ($208). This is a versatile trailing shoe, probably best for gym work and athleisure wear. The little golden lasso of truth laces are extras that come with the shoe, which are really delightful, honestly.
Suffering Sappho!
Alright, I have to admit, this is probably the coolest shoe out of the whole Justice League. I love the armour details on the toe, the subtle WW logo on the tongue, and the wraparound gold details. This is the shoe I would get, you know, if I actually worked out.
Baddies have more fun
Alright, we’re getting into the bad boys and girls of Gotham. This trio gives us Lex Luthor, the Joker, and Harley Quinn. Let’s see what the villains are up to.
ex Luthor
The Lex Luthor shoe is a glow-in-the-dark version of the Workout Plus, $US100 ($139). This glow is kryptonite, and there’s even a little hint of purple around the tongue of the shoe. I kind of like it!
Glowing is normal, right?
I don’t know much about Lex Luthor, so these kryptonite-dusted skating sneaks seem pretty cool to me. I like the little edges and the wee green, it’s just enough colour to stand out but not enough to make a statement. Stealth cosplay shoes.
Joker
OK, so Joker’s Club C 85 ($US110 ($153)) is actually really cool. You can actually tear away some of the outside of the shoe to reveal a bloody mess underneath. I know it’s cheesy but I love something that’s weirdly interactive. LIke The design of the shoe actually changed for this one.
Want to see a magic trick?
Genuinely frustrating they didn’t give me the torn-away version of the product, but you can see where you would grab and rip it away. Pretty neat, and honestly might be a fun party trick.
Harley Quinn
So the remade Freestyle Hi ($US100 ($139)) is inspired by Harley Quinn, and I truly love it. The little details here are so fun. The fuzzy laces? Cute! The dumb graphics that look like you drew them on in the middle of a boring class? Also, weirdly charming!
Who’s puddin?
Look, I can’t tell you why this is my favourite shoe out of all the offerings, but it is. I’d wear these and feel like I was cutting class to cause trouble somewhere. There’s something about these shoes that feels lived in, and maybe that’s what I like, the story that’s going on. Call me a sucker.
All the shoes will be available December 2 on the Reebok site.
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