After Moore’s 2013 Tornado, DZ Comics & Gaming Built a Place to Gather

DZ Comics & Gaming began in Moore in the wake of the 2013 tornado. Today, its comic shop and separate DZ Arena give local players room to meet, browse, and play.

After Moore’s 2013 Tornado, DZ Comics & Gaming Built a Place to Gather

DZ Comics & Gaming began in Moore in the wake of the 2013 tornado. Today, its comic shop and separate DZ Arena give local players room to meet, browse, and play.

There’s a lot to look at inside DZ Comics & Gaming, but this visit made me think about a different kind of collection: the people and memories that gather around a place like this. A comic shop can be somewhere you stop for a new issue. DZ has grown into somewhere you can also make an afternoon of it—and that story starts with Moore itself.

Comic posters and Chewbacca display inside Dz Comics in Moore — Posters, character displays, and fandom details fill the walls throughout the shop.

A beginning shaped by Moore

According to DZ’s own history, the shop was only days away from breaking ground when the EF5 tornado struck Moore on May 20, 2013. The owners say they signed the papers and began building about three weeks later. DZ opened that July.

Child playing pinball in the pinball room at Dz Comics — Rows of pinball machines make the shop feel like a neighborhood hangout.

Ticket redemption prize counter and toy display inside Dz Comics — The Toy Stack area turns arcade tickets into prizes and collectibles.

Aisle of Funko Pop collectibles at Dz Comics in Moore — Collectors can find rows of boxed figures and pop-culture favorites throughout the shop.

That is a remarkable timeline, and it gives the store a different context from a typical hobby shop. The founders describe the project as a way to create a place for imagination, fun, and belonging in the city they call home. I don’t want to turn a business visit into a grand claim about recovery; the meaningful part is simpler. A local shop was built during a difficult moment, then kept making room for people to share what they love.

PC gaming stations with chairs and monitors inside Dz Comics — A row of gaming stations gives visitors another reason to settle in and stay awhile.

More than a quick browse

The photos from this visit show how varied that invitation can be. There are comics and collectibles to wander through, but there are also tables, screens, and games that give a visit a different pace. You can browse for a while, then stay and play—or meet up with someone who came for a completely different corner of the hobby.

Shelves of statues, action figures, and collectibles inside Dz Comics — Statues, figures, and boxed collectibles fill the shelves for fans of every franchise.

Trading card display cases inside Dz Comics in Moore — Glass cases hold rows of trading cards for collectors and players.

That’s the difference between a store that only moves products and a place that gives a community somewhere to spend time. DZ’s current website calls out tabletop gaming, trading-card games, role-playing games, and board games among its offerings. The mix is broad, but the point isn’t to check off a long inventory list. It’s that different kinds of players can find their own reason to show up.

Classic arcade cabinets lined up inside Dz Comics in Moore — Classic arcade cabinets add retro-game nostalgia to the Dz Comics experience.

The DZ Arena is its own next chapter

There’s also a dedicated event space called DZ Arena. One useful detail before you plan a visit: the Arena is listed at 700 City Avenue, while the main DZ Comics & Gaming shop is at 625 N Moore Avenue. They’re related destinations, but they are not the same address.

Star Wars collectibles and Boba Fett helmet display at Dz Comics — A Star Wars display near the front spotlights helmets, figures, and boxed collectibles.

Rows of new comics in bins at Dz Comics in Moore — The heart of Dz Comics is still the long rows of new and back-issue comics.

DZ describes the Arena as a room built for tabletop, trading-card, role-playing, and board-game play, with dedicated areas for games such as Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer. The business also says it has audio and streaming equipment for featured matches, along with space for casual meetups and tournaments. That’s a different kind of growth than simply adding another aisle: it gives organized play and community events a place of their own.

Schedules can change, so check DZ’s official events page or Discord before heading over for a specific game night. If you’re after the comic shop itself, use the Moore Avenue address; if you’re going to an Arena event, double-check that City Avenue location.

Arcade room at Dz Comics with game machines and a pool table — The arcade room stretches beyond comics with pool, prizes, and glowing game cabinets.

A place for the next story

Comics are built around the idea that a story can keep going issue after issue. DZ’s history has a similar shape: a plan interrupted by a tornado, a store opened in the months that followed, and a newer space designed for players to meet around the games they care about.

Large Superman statue on display inside Dz Comics — A towering Superman statue anchors one of the shop’s collectible displays.

Board game and tabletop game aisle inside Dz Comics — Board games and tabletop titles line the shelves for players looking for something new.

That’s the angle I left with after this visit. DZ Comics & Gaming is fun to explore, but its most interesting feature may be the reason to come back: a new comic to follow, a table to join, a match to watch, or a friend to meet. In Moore, that’s a pretty good way for a local business to keep building community—one visit at a time.

Star Wars Battle Pod and pinball machines inside Dz Comics arcade — The arcade side of Dz Comics brings together Star Wars, pinball, and plenty of neon glow.

Plan your visit

The main shop is at 625 N Moore Ave, Moore, OK 73160. The separate DZ Arena is listed at 700 City Avenue, Moore, OK 73160. If you’re going for a specific tournament or game night, check the official events page first; DZ also links to its Discord community for event and schedule updates. For general store information, use the official DZ Comics & Gaming website.