Happy New Year.

*cue Gandalf* “Do you wish me a happy new year, or mean that it is a happy new year whether I want it or not; or that you feel happy this new year; or that it is a new year to be happy about?”

Um…all the above?

Like a group setting out on a quest or a reader delving into an unread book, we’ve entered the new world, the unexplored territory of 2017. What awaits? Only taking the journey will reveal that.

But before looking ahead, I want to look back on the year that was. Apart from the craziness and upheaval in the world at large, what did 2016 bring us in the realms of science fiction and fantasy?

Spec-fic Movies in 2016

If you’re a resident of Geekville, 2016 shone with the light of a galaxy when it came to movies. Civil War, Batman v Superman, Fantastic Beasts, Rogue One. The list goes ever on and on.

Way back at the start of the year, I made predictions of the top ten box office rankings for spec-fic movies. (These lists don’t take non-spec-fic movies into account.)

My predictions:

10. Warcraft

9. Doctor Strange

8. Independence Day: Resurgence

7. Suicide Squad

6. Alice in the Looking Glass

5. X-Men Apocalypse

4. Batman v Superman

3. Rogue One

2. Fantastic Beasts

1. Captain America: Civil War

The results:

10. Independence Day: Resurgence

9. X-Men Apocalypse

8. Star Trek Beyond

7. Fantastic Beasts

6. Doctor Strange

5. Suicide Squad

4. Batman v Superman

3. Deadpool

2. Rogue One

1. Captain America: Civil War

It was fun to guess where each movie would rank, but apparently I’d better not quit my day job. 😉

Awesomesauce Books

Can’t forget man’s best friend (sorry, dogs). And now, a brief interruption in the regularly scheduled programming for a joke from Grouch Marx. (It relates, I promise.)

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”

2016 goes down in history as the most woefully unproductive reading year of my life. My Goodreads goal was 40. I managed…

*gulp*

Five.

Nasssty college studiess, preciousss.

That said, a handful of stellar books transitioned out of the TBR phase of existence.

• A Time to Rise (YESS and FINALLY)
• Calamity (started but haven’t finished)
• Storm Siren (crazy good fantasy tale)
• King’s Folly (Wow. Just. Wow.)

Looking Ahead

With 2016 in the past, what waits on the road before us in 2017? When it comes to movies…well, see for yourself.

Batman Lego Movie: Don’t underestimate the power of the LEGO! If this is anywhere near as entertaining as the first Lego movie…well, watch out big boys, the animated movie kid is in town and ready to play.

Wolverine 3: What’s Logan’s fate? That question alone is worth watching the movie to answer.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: This is gonna be one hilarious, crazy, adventure-filled and humor-smacking ride. Potentially one of the most popular, well-loved Marvel movies ever released.

Wonder Woman: I wonder if this woman will turn the tide in favor of DC and really send the franchise on the upswing. You never know. Looks like a cool movie, but nothing I’m staring at like a bar of dark chocolate just out of reach.

Spider-Man Reboot: This movie could make a huge splash or end up flopping like a fish out of water. Tom Holland knocked the socks off the Spidey role in Civil War. I have high hopes his solo debut will be even more memorable. Fingers crossed the story is as strong as the central character.

Thor: Ragnarok: Mostly, the Thor movies reside in the “underwhelming” section of the MCU. Hopefully this last installment, featuring Hulk, will ramp up the awesome needle.

Justice League: Verdict’s out still. Honestly, this is one of the most intriguing DC movies to me. Can they pull of the Avenger-type film without sounding redundant, boring, or lame? I sure hope so.

Star Wars Episode VIII: Oh yeah. There is this other film. Sort of a big deal. Never mind three-quarters of the country’s (or is it world’s?) population has been salivating in anticipation of this movie.

Is there any doubt it will rock the box office numbers like its predecessor? Nope. Will it prove to be a fantastic film that entertains not only the faithful but Star Wars semi-fans like me? I have confidence it will.

I’m also going out on a limb and predicting Episode VIII, barring any major and unexpected story flops, will break the all-time box office record narrowly missed out on by its older sibling.

In other geek news for 2017:

DOCTOR WHO!!!!!!!

STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE BOOK 3!!!

All the geekiness. All the joy. All the excitement.

The road of 2017 stretches in front of us. In Bilbo’s words:

Here’s to getting swept away to many marvelous places by many fantastic stories.

What are some of your favorite geek moments from 2016? What geeky things are you looking forward to in 2017? I’d love to hear your thoughts here or on social media.