To best sum up 2007, I have combed the entertainment world to find these seven highlights that brought joy to my heart and hokey crap like that. These are the must-see movies, comics, shows, and events that every geek needs to enjoy before tackling anything in 2008.

7. Buffy Season 8

While television spin-offs remain in development limbo, the comic book world welcomed Joss Whedon with open arms. Whedon continues the adventures of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in comic book form, an unheard of use of cross media storytelling. Buffy Season 8, published by Dark Horse Comics, features Whedon and other top writers telling the stories that might have appeared on the TV screen had Buffy continued - and if Whedon had an unlimited budget. The experiment is far from over, and the first bunch of issues have yet to shock and awe in the same way the show did, but the punchy dialogue and quick wit makes this a must read because there’s nothing else like it.

6. Bioshock

If all the awards and rave reviews haven’t convinced you Bioshock is as good as the Second Coming, than you don’t deserve to wear the geek moniker. This art deco romp through philosophical mind games is one of the most unforgettable video game experiences around. The unique gameplay and soon-to-be classic Big Daddies only lays the foundation to a brilliant story filled with plot twists that affect how you view playing the video game.

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

SPOILERS…The most hugest book series in the history of the entire universe and beyond came to a bittersweet close this summer with the release of the seventh book. For the three of you who haven’t read it yet, Harry confronts Voldemort and the two fight to the death (you’ll never guess who dies). Frankly, characters drop like mystical flies as Harry, Ron, and Hermoine figure out a way to defeat the Dark Lord. Now the debate beings of how long until we see another Harry Potter book. Because when a character like Harry is so loved, can we really let him spend the rest of his youth in retirement. But for now, we have one amazing series we’ll never forget.

4. Transformers

I thought it would suck. Michael Bay mixed with scary looking robots looked to forgo the fans of yesteryear and create a bizarre new franchise no one would recognize. But that wasn’t the case. The original Optimus Prime returning to voice the ironic character put the shine on the gem of this year’s blockbusters. After Spider-Man and Pirates 3 disappointed, Transformers surprised with unbelievable action sequences, the most believable special effects, and funny dialogue that was actually funny (thanks to Shia LaBeouf). Even the product placements were amazing, from eBay to General Motors.

3. In Rainbows

Sure Radiohead pioneered new business models in music in a year when the music industry just wants to sue more and more people, but all that free publicity lead us to some really good music too. Radiohead released their new album first online using a pay-what-you-want model. You could download the whole album for free, one dollar, or more depending on what you wanted to pay. The resulting swarm free publicity paid for the album itself. One debunked study claimed users were paying an average of $2 for the album, which even if true meant the band was getting about as much as a record company pays in royalties for the CD. The band made an estimated $6-$10 million which doesn’t include the now released CD version. Of course, the CD has tons of bonus content to make it worth more to collectors than casual fans. Witness the future of music, and enjoy some good songs while watching.

2. Lost season 3 finale

SPOILERS…What started as a slow season turned into one of the best cliffhangers, like, ever. Of all the mysteries in Lost, the season 3 finale crams about a dozen new ones into a single moment while at the same time changing the entire way you view the series. There’s three seasons left and somehow, they got off the island. The shocker of season three is the main characters (that we know of) got off the island - but that was a mistake. They have to go back. How far in the future is this? Where will season four begin? Why do they have to go back and who will go? So many mysteries, so little time. The awesomeness of Lost is epitomized by this moment…end SPOILERS.

1. Colbert Report

Stephen Colbert’s political satire is simply truthiness. The Colbert Report made headlines last year when Merriam-Webster named truthiness, the word created by Colbert, the Word of the Year. But Colbert wanted to top that. The only way to do it - he ran for president. Sure his campaign lasted little more than two weeks, but it was a whirlwind of debate, media attention, and comedy gold. Even the build up was amazing including Colbert making people ask him if he was running. His book, I Am America (and So Can You!) continues to sell and fill the void during the writer’s strike, but we can only hope when Colbert (and eventually his writers) return, that they can somehow top this year. Maybe Colbert Report: The Movie.