Mike Manalo
Mike is a proud, sarcastic nerd with a penchant for comic books, comic book movies, and movies in general, and occasional delusions of grandeur. He's also a UC Berkeley graduate who decided to go into writing over pre-med because he figured he'd ultimately save more lives by not being a doctor. He's a Slytherin and a Pisces, so he's very emotionally sensitive, yet also evil, but can be defeated by exploiting his insecurities. His goal is to live one hell of a unique life, and it's been working so far! His proudest moments are being retweeted by James Gunn and Ryan Reynolds in the same week, and getting 999,999 points on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters at Disneyland.
You can find Mike's writing around the web at publications like The Nerds of Color, What to Watch, Spoiler Free Reviews, and That's It LA.
Latest articles by Mike Manalo
![The Batman image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m4Kw2hMjDnQGNBqicaeJ8a-320-80.jpeg)
Best Batman actors: every star ranked best to worst
By Mike Manalo published
With 'The Batman' finally arriving, we pick the best Batman actors to date...
![A scene from Marvel Studios' Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U7L6jZwy9hVEQLwn5Lf32M-320-80.jpg)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ending explained
By Mike Manalo published
We dive into what the ending of Wakanda Forever means for the rest of the MCU
![Official logo for Tales of the Jedi](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/REBCEp4tWiMkxLuxYKeaNC-320-80.png)
Tales of the Jedi: episodes, trailer, cast and all we know about the animated Star Wars series
By Mike Manalo published
Tales of the Jedi is an all new Star Wars-inspired Disney Plus series that reveals some major details about popular Star Wars characters.
![Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UKNdADG9DzqQuuVcNGxchG-320-80.jpg)
Black Adam post-credit scenes: what it means for the DCEU
By Mike Manalo published
As with most superhero movies, there is a Black Adam post-credit scene. We break it down for you right here.
![Marvel's The Multiverse Saga poster](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DpA5ptJXdqqsiVRUjKW2Gg-320-80.jpg)
MCU Phase 6: everything we know about the Marvel movies
By Mike Manalo published
MCU Phase 6 is going to wrap up Marvel's Multiverse Saga. Here is everything we know about the movies and TV shows making up Phase 6.
![MCU Phase 5 presentation at Comic-Con 2022](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3iPsTvt935hcVayp7S4yCb-320-80.jpg)
MCU Phase 5: everything we know about the Marvel movies and TV shows
By Mike Manalo published
Marvel has laid out its plans for the MCU Phase 5. Here is everything that we know about all of the movie and TV shows on the way.
![Bob Odenkirk in Better Call Saul](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MHrsJzJZnvtMkjdf3Syc9J-320-80.jpg)
Better Call Saul series finale review: the truth shall set you free
By Mike Manalo published
The Better Call Saul series finale gave fans a perfect sendoff to a show that started as a Breaking Bad spinoff but became so much more.
![Bob Odenkirk in Better Call Saul](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rauGNzLEbd9g83GrnJJbg4-320-80.jpg)
Better Call Saul season 6 episode 12 review: has Saul gone too far?
By Mike Manalo published
In the penultimate chapter of Better Call Saul, Kim returns and provides the heartbreak, while Saul experiences some heart-stopping thrills.
![Bob Odenkirk in Better Call Saul](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8jp9pb34ZBwN83wzaimgKV-320-80.jpg)
Better Call Saul season 6 episode 11 review: breaking bad in more ways than one
By Mike Manalo published
In Better Call Saul season 6 episode 11, Jimmy/Saul/Gene sets up familiar schemes with his new partners, while flashbacks recall the Breaking Bad days.
![Bob Odenkirk in Better Call Saul](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2cPkpDgsh6RYYoNTokx7mU-320-80.jpg)
Better Call Saul season 6 episode 10 review: some quality time with Gene Takovic
By Mike Manalo last updated
In Better Call Saul season 6 episode 10, the show takes us back to the future with an exciting, somber installment.
![Bob Odenkirk in Better Call Saul](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QvjQja2yXw6QJQDuar8PNU-320-80.jpg)
Better Call Saul season 6 episode 9 review: Jimmy and Kim learn the cost of their actions
By Mike Manalo last updated
Better Call Saul season 6 episode 9 sees Jimmy and Kim trying to move, but that's easier said than done.
![Jonathan Banks in Better Call Saul](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uuUFDya7Tf97XqvYdfLd28-320-80.jpg)
Better Call Saul season 6 episode 8 review: a game-changing return for Saul and company
By Mike Manalo published
Blood, tension and an unexpected trip to the beach anchor another shocking and brilliant episode of Better Call Saul's excellent final season
![Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth in Thor: Love and Thunder](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tSZMv3g7q6ngLmJuPESXzJ-320-80.jpg)
Thor: Love and Thunder post-credit scenes — what they mean for the MCU
By Mike Manalo published
How many Thor: Love and Thunder post-credit scenes are there and what they mean for the future of the MCU?
![Natalie Portman in Thor: Love and Thunder](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iXy2VaNr82JET32qYo7k6F-320-80.jpg)
How does Jane Foster become The Mighty Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder?
By Mike Manalo published
Natalie Portman returns as Jane Foster in Thor: Love and Thunder with new powers. So how does Jane become The Mighty Thor?
![Christian Bale in Thor: Love and Thunder](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sZin3e8YrLEnd69mwx9JHU-320-80.jpg)
Who is Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder?
By Mike Manalo published
Thor: Love and Thunder is introducing a brand new villain, Gorr the God Butcher. We break down just about everything you need to know about him.
![Ewan McGregor in Obi-Wan Kenobi](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/szsDWrssTnzdKUGE6JWM5o-320-80.jpg)
Meet the Obi-Wan Kenobi cast: who's who in the Star Wars series
By Mike Manalo last updated
Get ready for Obi-Wan Kenobi and meet all of the new and familiar faces joining the Star Wars legacy in the Disney Plus Series.
![John de Lancie as Q and Sir Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: Picard season 2.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H2LEQo9TzViweMMAtRnrxn-320-80.jpg)
Meet the crew of Star Trek: Picard season 2
By Mike Manalo last updated
Who's back, who's new, and who's who for Star Trek: Picard season 2!
![Master Chief standing in front of an explosion in Halo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RwAMSa3fVMEUzBD3fErXg4-320-80.jpg)
Meet the Halo cast: who's who in the video game adaptation
By Mike Manalo last updated
Halo is here, but who are the characters and the actors playing them?
![Bob Odenkirk sitting on a bench in Better Call Saul](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zrFNPVsoP8U5AMVy9ZvhAZ-320-80.jpg)
Better Call Saul season 6 episode 7 review: Jimmy and Kim experience unforeseen consequences
By Mike Manalo published
In the Better Call Saul season 6 mid-season finale, Jimmy and Kim put their plan into action, but soon realize a series of unforeseen circumstances.
![Rhea Seehorn in Better Call Saul](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Uahh9qxGoqCS4ogfEBzfEc-320-80.jpg)
Better Call Saul season 6 episode 6 review: D-Day dilemmas
By Mike Manalo published
Better Call Saul gets ready for its mid-season finale with a tense and beautiful episode that lights the match for what's to come.
![Rhea Seehorn and Bob Odenkirk sit on the couch in Better Call Saul](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/63QGYg3QgeJ8XJxB9jCd4V-320-80.jpg)
Better Call Saul season 6 episode 5 review: with love, your boys
By Mike Manalo published
On the latest episode of Better Call Saul, things slow down with some familiar faces, a few rattled nerves and a trip to Germany.
![Moon Knight poster](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cvj37PdRCiNdreJjcvdsQN-320-80.jpg)
Moon Knight season finale review: two's company, three's a crowd
By Mike Manalo last updated
Moon Knight concludes with an epic brawl and a couple of incredible surprises in one of the most entertaining cappers to a Marvel original series.
![Rhea Seehorn sits in a car in Better Call Saul](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ejdxePaEcFV2cBzNZUnEtL-320-80.jpg)
Better Call Saul season 6 episode 4 review: on high alert
By Mike Manalo last updated
In Better Call Saul season 4, Kim and Gus are being sure to watch their backs while Jimmy is pushed more to his Breaking Bad destiny.
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