Air Jordan 12 'Reverse Flu Game' - Legendary Colorway in Reverse, Smooth Suede, Holiday Banger: Where to Buy
Who doesn't feel the nostalgia of the classic Air Jordan 12 "Flu Game?" Personally, it was the first Air Jordan shoe that I had ever seen and one of the first kicks that made me fall in love with the brand. While it is always fun to go down memory lane, it's also exciting to create different takes on all-time classics. The AJ12 "Reverse Flu Game" is like a concept shoe that made it out of the what if stage. Let's take a look.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Shoe | Air Jordan 12 Retro "Reverse Flu Game" |
Style Code | CT8013-602 |
Colorway | Varsity Red/Black |
Release Date | December 26, 2020 |
Retail Price | $190 |
Resale Range | $140–$155 most sizes (StockX) |
Availability | StockX, GOAT, Flight Club |
Where Can You Buy the Air Jordan 12 'Reverse Flu Game' Right Now?
StockX is the starting point - search CT8013-602 and most sizes will come in below retail right now. No retail option exists, so StockX, GOAT, and Flight Club are the realistic platforms, with StockX being the most active market for this shoe.
Most common sizes are currently sitting between $140–$155 on StockX - that's below the original $190 retail, which is a situation you don't see often on a Bulls colorway Jordan 12. GOAT is worth cross-referencing before you commit, but StockX's volume on this shoe makes it the most reliable source for accurate market pricing on your size.
What Makes the Air Jordan 12 'Reverse Flu Game' Stand Out?
The concept itself is what makes it special - Jordan Brand literally reversed one of the most iconic game-worn Jordans ever and the result is a shoe that stands on its own while never letting you forget where it came from. The original Flu Game is black leather with red accents. The Reverse flips every panel - full Varsity Red suede upper where the black leather was, black faux-lizard mudguard where the red overlays were. It's not a random colorway. It's a deliberate inversion of a shoe MJ wore while battling the flu and scoring 38 points in the 1997 Finals, and that specific reference point is built into every design choice.
The Varsity Red suede upper with zig-zag AJ12 stitching, matte black chrome eyelets, black Jumpman with red 'TWO 3' tongue embroidery, and a woven 'JORDAN' heel tab - all of it reads as the Flu Game seen in a mirror. Full-length Zoom Air in a Phylon midsole with carbon-fiber shank keeps the performance foundation of the original intact underneath the color flip. This is the concept shoe that actually got made, and it delivers exactly what it promises.
Should You Buy the Air Jordan 12 'Reverse Flu Game' on Resale?
Yes - a direct Flu Game tribute sitting below retail in most sizes with all the Bulls color energy and none of the grail pricing is one of the best value plays in the AJ12 catalog right now. A Varsity Red suede Jordan 12 with the Flu Game story built into its DNA trading at $140–$155 in common sizes is not a situation that makes logical sense, but that's exactly where the market is in 2026.
The Reverse Flu Game dropped during the pandemic holiday window and never got the attention it deserved relative to its concept and construction. Athlon calls it one of the best value AJ12s available, and the resale data backs that up. For anyone who missed the OG Flu Game or can't justify grail pricing, this is the most honest alternative in the Jordan 12 catalog - same story, inverted blocking, and currently cheaper than the retail price from 2020.
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This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 3:29 PM.