DNA Comics & Games started 25 years ago as a vendor cart at Deerbrook Mall in Humble. In 2010, Humble resident Steve Mosher bought the enterprise and moved it across Hwy. 59 to a space that could host card game tournaments.

“In 10 years, DNA Comics & Games has successfully hosted many new games in-store and over 20 Yu-Gi-Oh regional qualifier tournaments in Houston and Shreveport, Louisiana,” Mosher said. “Our largest tournament was 555 players.”

The store is a gamer’s nook where young adults can plunk down their backpacks and immerse themselves in comics that range from $4 to $13 and game cards that range from $1.10 to $220. Display racks are surrounded by plush toys, Gundam model kits, comic book bags and gaming accessories.

The shop closes at 9 p.m., but players have been found lingering and socializing after hours, sales associates Shawna Aponte and David Fetter said. Aponte, Fetter and three other sales associates rotate shifts, helping customers pick age-appropriate comics and order cards, books or figurines. Gamers pay $5 to play in tournaments, where they sit in rows at card tables and compete until as late as midnight on some nights, Aponte said.

Next to the players, customers can be found playing chess, shuffling Pokemon cards or watching a movie on one of the two overhead TV screens. Candy and ice cream are available for purchase at the register near a display case of prized Pokemon cards for sale—some valued as high as $170.

“We handle Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic: The Gathering as well as comics and accessories from Marvel, DC Comics and independent publishers,” said sales associate Carlos Reyes, who has worked at the store for eight years.

Card and comics fans can also reserve and purchase items on the company website, which Mosher said he developed.

“One thing that sets us apart from other comics and game stores is that we consider ourselves a hybrid store that embraces both sides of the geek spectrum,” Reyes said. “We like to keep the synergy and balance.”

Game night schedule


DNA Comics & Games hosts card game tournaments multiple days a week. The times and entry fees for these tournaments vary each day. Players usually must sign up for the tournament an hour before it starts.


Monday: Yu-Gi-Oh, 6:30-11 p.m., $10


Thursday: Bushiroad (Weiss Schwarz), 7-10 p.m., $5


Friday: Dragon Ball Z, 7:30-10:30 p.m., $5


Saturday: Pokemon, 3-9 p.m., $5