HOUSTON – Houston’s Third Ward is home to a lot of history — and increasingly, it’s becoming home to a growing Black nerd community. At the center of it all is Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics, a Black-owned comic shop fueling creativity, representation and fandom on the city’s south side.
Byron Canady, founder and owner of Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics, is on a mission to expand what it means to be a Black comic fan, creator and storyteller — and with DreamCon just around the corner, he says there’s a lot of energy in the community.
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DreamCon returns to Houston
DreamCon, the annual multi-genre entertainment and fandom convention founded by YouTube group RDCWorld — short for Real Dreamers Change the World — is returning to Houston July 10-12, 2026, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The convention celebrates anime, gaming, cosplay, music and pop culture while focusing on inclusivity and amplifying underrepresented voices.
For Canady, the event’s return is about more than a weekend of fun.
“We are working hard to make them a permanent fixture here in the Black community of H-Town, Third Ward and citywide,” Canady said. “It’s literally everything, you can — you can just feel the energy.”
Representation matters
For Canady, the heart of Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics is about making sure Black readers, fans and creators see themselves reflected in the stories they love.
“Being seen is super important. It always has been, it always will be,” he said. “As a Black person, I’ve always wanted to know — where do I fit in this industry and in this culture?”
The answer, he said, is rooted in a history many people don’t know exists.
“Black people have been creating comics since 1947, and that is kind of a hidden history — like hidden figures,” Canady said. “It is the story behind the story, and just an amazing thing to see yourself and know that you are not just a consumer, but you are creating the narrative. You are a character in the story.”
Building community at GCC
Canady also sees Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics — or GCC, as regulars call it — as a creative hub that hosts events, workshops, book signings and meet-and-greets for fans and creators.
One of its signature events is the monthly Geek Meet, held the third Saturday of every month. Canady describes it as a social salon where fans lead the conversation.
“You, the fans, are the host, and anything that you want to talk about — as long as it’s centered in Black culture and comics, manga and animation — you’re good,” he said.
What is manga?
It’s the Japanese word for comic book. “Like here in the West, in the United States, we love comic books and cartoons,” Canady explained. “The translation for comic book is manga, and for cartoons, it’s anime.”
With DreamCon approaching, Canady says GCC has more events lined up for the community, including an Anime Paint and Sip event.
“We have a lot of stuff coming up for DreamCon,” Canady said. “It’s going to be super fun.”
For a full list of upcoming events, visit gcccomicshtx.com.
A message for Black kids who love comics
When asked what he would say to Black kids who love anime and comics, Canady kept it simple and powerful.
“Our mission at Gulf Coast Cosmos is to expand the narrative of comic book creator and fandom,” he said. “We always encourage kids to dream big, understand your history and learn your craft — whether you want to be a writer, an artist or you’re just a huge fan. Do it. But learn the backstory.”