In an era of grimdark reboots and convoluted multiverses, Raising Dion (2019) remains a refreshing anomaly. It’s a superhero story about holding hands, not throwing punches. It’s a reminder that the greatest power in any universe isn't flight or invisibility—it’s the fierce, unbreakable love between a parent and a child.
Wainwright delivers a grounded, vulnerable performance that anchors the fantastical elements. When Dion accidentally destroys a playground, Nicole doesn't lecture him about heroism; she holds him and whispers, "We're going to figure this out together." That quiet intimacy is the show's secret weapon. Raising Dion -2019-2019
★★★★☆ (4/5) – A heartfelt, visually charming debut that proves the best superhero origin is often a parenting story. In an era of grimdark reboots and convoluted
In the modern golden age of superhero entertainment—dominated by the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the gritty reboots of DC—it takes a unique angle to stand out. Netflix’s Raising Dion did exactly that in 2019. Though its original run spanned only two years (2019-2019 for the first season, with a second season following in 2022), the show’s debut season remains a landmark in family-oriented genre storytelling. It asked a simple, profound question: What happens when a superhero origin story is seen not through the eyes of the hero, but through the terrified, loving eyes of a single mother? The Premise: Grief Meets Galaxies The series, created by Carol Barbee and based on the 2015 comic book by Dennis Liu, begins with a tragedy. Nicole Reese (Alisha Wainwright) is a widow struggling to raise her young son, Dion (newcomer Ja’Siah Young), after the mysterious death of her husband, Mark (Michael B. Jordan, who also serves as an executive producer). It asked a simple