Astronomicon 24' – My Take on the State of the Con
Alright, let’s talk about Astronomicon 24', because I’ve got thoughts. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it, it was below mid, and that’s me being nice. A con that used to be all about the artists and vendors has turned into another celebrity cash grab. Sure, cons are always about the celebs to some extent, but back when Astronomicon first started, they balanced it out. They brought in names to showcase the artists and vendors, not overshadow them.
Astronomicon was actually the first convention I ever attended, and honestly? It blew my mind. That first year was a game changer. I met so many cool people (shoutout Darius, Kyle, Devon, Dirk—you guys made those early years legit). But even more than that, Astronomicon is where the idea for Terra-Fy Naturals was born. Yep, that’s right—standing in those crowded, sweaty halls, I realized that if there’s one thing con goers need, it’s a deodorant that can survive a 12-hour con day without turning your pits into something out of Return of the Living Dead. So that’s where Terra-Fy Naturals started: a con, sweaty crowds, and the need to smell better than a rotting corpse.
Back to this year’s con. They moved to a new venue, again. And every time they move, it’s like the old spot vanishes from the map. The hotel this year was nice, but let’s be real it wasn’t meant for a convention. Two separate buildings, three floors in the main one. It felt like a maze, not a con. I really felt for the vendors and celebs stuck in cramped hallways. Tables at these things aren’t cheap, and to get shoved in a hallway? That’s brutal. Plus, there were maybe 15 vendors total. Pretty sad compared to how packed it used to be.
Honestly, I was done in an hour. I scoped out the vendors, met the few celebs I wanted to, and could have left then and there. But, of course, I’d already dropped a couple hundred on tickets, more on a hotel, and that’s not even counting the gas and food. Should have just bought a ticket and made it a day trip, but you live and learn.
Bret F’n Hart!
The one thing that saved the day for me? Meeting Bret f’n Hitman Hart. Childhood hero stuff, right there. Though, of course, his paint pen was dying and my autograph came out faded. $150 down the drain, but hey, it’s the memory that counts. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.
Highlight of the day was meeting Christine Elise (“Kyle” from Child’s Play 2). She looked like she was having a rough time, so I gave her some Terra-Fy Naturals soap I’d brought along. Just a little bar of soap, but she was so genuinely grateful. She came around the table to give me a hug, and it honestly made the whole trip worth it. Much love, Christine.
Ran into Doug Bradley (Pinhead himself!) buying a shirt at a vendor table. Those little moments are still the coolest part of any con—some of these legends are still out there with the fans, not just cashing checks behind a table.
My Final Verdict on Astronomicon 2024
Look, I know putting on a con isn’t easy. Organizers deserve props. But Astronomicon 2024 felt like it lost the spark. That early magic is gone—maybe it’s time for me to start checking out some of the other conventions in Michigan and see who’s still out there hustling for the right reasons. Because at the end of the day, it’s the vendors and artists that make these shows special. The celebs help bring the crowd, but it’s the people selling their art, their pins, their t-shirts, that make the con vibe real.
And hey, if you’re ever worried about con stink? Trust me, Terra-Fy Naturals doesn’t just have your pits covered. We’ve got your back, your face, your tattoos, your naughty bits, and your dry skin too. No one wants to be that person in the line for a photo op who smells like they’ve been buried for a hundred years—let us help you smell better and feel better, no matter where the con takes you.
