16 Most Nerd-Tastic Pop Culture Moments of 2016… According to Tree

Say what you will about 2016, but it was a pretty good year to be a nerd thanks to all the great stuff on both the big and small screen. These were the best of the best... in my opinion.

I feel ridiculous even using the term "nerd" these days. So many of the things that used to be considered "nerdy," are now so popular that it doesn't mean what it once did. It's a cliche, but you know exactly what I mean when I say it. If you don't -- heads up. This article is about comic book characters, Star Wars, video games, and all that stuff that used to get in the way of me getting laid.

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IT SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING, BUT THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS FOR A NUMBER OF SHOWS AND MOVIES AHEAD -- BE CAREFUL

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Honorable Mention: Jason Voorhees is Back... in Video Games

This is only missed the list because the new Friday the 13th video game was delayed and didn't come out this year as planned. On that same note, the reason I included it is because they delayed it so a much-needed single player campaign could be added. It's about time JV got a second stab at his own game.

#16. When a Blind Guy Takes the Stairs

The one-shot hallway fight in season 1 of Daredevil caused so much buzz that they upped the ante for season 2. Marvel is getting really good at putting these giant, badass fight scenes in their Netflix shows. You'll see a few of them on this list.

#15. Doom

Doom made its way onto the current generation of consoles this year and it was badass! They brought back everything I loved about the franchise, and reinvented it for 2016. I've been a Doom fan since playing the first two on my 486 (old computer) when I was 13 or 14. I even had an expensive program that was supposed to let you build your own Doom 2 levels. It never worked, but that's okay because the new one has it! When I finally took down the Cyberdemon (again) it was like high-fiving my teenage self across the space time continuum.

#14. Luke Cage Kicking ALL of the Asses

Another memorable moment from Netflix was this badass fight scene from Luke Cage, which was another great outing for Marvel. The season slowed down a bit too much in the later episodes, but was so much better than I expected, and I expected it to be good. Sweet Christmas.

#13. (Diana) Prince Shreds

Wonder Woman was dope in BvS, but she REALLY knows how to make an entrance. Not only does she get the coolest entrance in the movie -- she also gets the best music. Her theme music is so badass it instantly leaves an impression.

#12. You're Welcome, Bill.

Ash V. Evil Dead was great this year. While the finale was kind of messy -- For one, how did they get back to 2016, and why was it the same 2016 even though they changed the past? -- but this moment at the tail end of the last episode had me rolling. Hail to the king, baby.

#11. Batman Beats the S*** Out of the Big Blue Boy Scout

Say what you will about the way the fight ends, but there was a huge smile on my face while Batman was tossing Superman's bitch ass around like a rag doll. And when Batms drops that "You were never a god. You were never even a man," line -- chills. I loved every second of it.

#10. I'm Afraid of the Future Thanks to Black Mirror

I binge watched all of Black Mirror last month, and I love it. The third season, which came out on Netflix in October, was particularly strong. This season has me terrified about video games, webcams, and mechanical bees, but the one that really got me was the social media episode, 'Nosedive.' Granted, it was not traditionally terrifying, but having to kiss everyone's ass just to live a normal life is my worst nightmare.

#9. Will the Real Spider-Man Please Stand Up?

Sony finally screwed Spider-Man up so bad that they had to have Marvel come in and save the day. Even though it would've been nice to see Spidey (and Wolverine, for that matter) join the Avengers two movies ago, it's great to have him aboard now. He absolutely stole the show in Civil War by doing something no one has tried yet -- being true to the character. It's about time they got it right.

#8. So Frank Castle Walks into a Prison...

Finally, a legit version of my favorite childhood comic book character made it to the screen. They got close with Thomas Jane, but that movie kind of sucked. This brutal prison fight, where Frank goes beast mode on a bunch of dudes, made me realize that this was the Punisher I'd been waiting to see all these years!

#7. Negan Gives Spencer a Gut Check

Negan burst onto 'The Walking Dead' in a big bad way, which I almost chose for this list. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I enjoyed this scene more. It's less nerve-wracking than his 6 month long introduction, and I could actually laugh with him by the time he got around to showing Spencer his lunch. I liked Negan's previous victims. This douche -- not so much.

#6. Deadpool... All of it

For reasons that I don't need to explain, Deadpool was fan service at its absolute best. From front to back, this movie was everything it needed to be and so much more.

#5. Stranger Things Goes 1983 on Everybody's Asses

Stranger Things took everything you loved in every 80s movies and rolled them into one giant, binge-able ball of awesome. Unlike other "flashback to the 80s" set shows, they nailed every single detail from the wood paneling to the hairstyles to the characters to the John Carpenter-esque score. It was a real treat to watch for those of us who grew up loving 80s movies. There were so many unforgettable moments, like this one that calls to mind the Stephen King classics Stand By Me and IT.

#4. The D'Arkham Knight Rises in BvS

Batman v. Superman does have flaws, but it gets plenty right too. Despite all the skepticism of relaunching a new Batman, BvS managed to stick the landing, and a big part of that was the warehouse scene. We get to see Batman use a bunch of moves directly out of the Arkham games, and just mop the floor with a room full of thugs. This is easily the most impressive and satisfying combat any live action Batman has ever delivered on screen.

#3. My Scene in Batman V Superman

I made my small big screen debut in the first live action movie to featured both Batman and Superman. I only made $67, but the bragging rights alone were worth the 8 hours of standing around the parking lot of Michigan Motion Picture Studios. Although it would be cooler if the movie were more beloved, and I had a close up.

#2. My Scene in Suicide Squad

Yeah, it's the same scene, but it was in two of the highest grossing films of 2016 and that's never going to happen again for me so back off! Besides, it's hard coming up with 16 items to fill out a list.

#1. THAT Vader Scene in Rogue One

Darth Vader has been around for almost 40 years, yet it took them until 2016 to give us what we've always wanted -- to see him absolutely destroying everything in his path. This is the Vader we've been waiting for, who, somehow never showed up in the prequels. Without going into specifics (the movie JUST came out) I'll say this -- this was easily the greatest 45 seconds in any Star Wars movie. I would've paid to watch just that scene on repeat for 2 and half hours. I was in two movies with Batman this year and even those don't top this scene for me.

Since the movie did just come out, I'm afraid to put a video of it in here. Disney would likely send Lord Vader after me, so instead I'll share a non-Rogue One gif to be safe. However, that doesn't mean you can't find it yourself. Or hell, you could just go see the movie again. It's damn good.

Well, those are my choices. I'm sure I missed some, and, before you attack -- I don't watch Game of Thrones, and just started Westworld. Let me know what nerd-tastic stuff had you on the edge of your seat in 2016 in the comments.