Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 7

March 13, 2013 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

SO MUCH this week! Where to even start? How about... with the beginning?Were you surprised to see Rolaskatox dissolve so quickly? I know the judges told them “no cliques” last week, but I didn't expect Alaska to take action so quickly. But good for her! That girl was a shining star this episode, and it’s staggering that she hasn't won a challenge, yet.

Actually, I’ve been thinking about that--this season, the producers seem to be focused on: not having any clear frontrunners and rewarding the underdog. Have we seen any queen win more than one challenge so far? I don’t think so, but I'm not taking the time to go through and check. Sharon Needles won four challenges last season, but it’s hard to imagine any one queen dominating the field like that this time (even though Jinkx arguably could have won the last three weeks in a row).

Furthermore, the judges have been rewarding the queen who most surprised them, rather than the one who might have delivered a better performance. No one expected Coco to win this week, and so her strong showing snagged her the win. Alaska was already known for her edgy humor, so even though she offered the most polished jokes, she didn't get nearly as much acclaim.

Mind you, I’m not complaining--I was glad to see Coco steal the shown (It's hard to top Coco, am I right??), and the lack of any one shining star of the season has certainly kept things interesting.

Yes, the lip sync was fabulous, and Ru made the right call in keeping Roxxxy and Alyssa. I loved each of their performances, but neither runway look stood out to me, so I opted to draw my favorite four queens from the Roast, instead.

As ever, Untucked gave us a lot to chew on. First of all, both Jinkx’s and Roxxxy’s family histories were revealed, and the fact that both emerged as magnificent queens from such difficult beginnings is a huge testament to them.

Second, it was hilarious and refreshing to see the other queens finally declare an official moratorium on pageant drama between Alyssa and Coco. We’ll see if the ceasefire holds... but I can hope.

And third, why was everyone piling on Jinkx? I had a hard time following the tortured chain of logic: the other queens resent the fact that Jinkx expresses her insecurity, despite being such a fierce performer, and so they suspect her of duplicity? Of playing them? After so much trash talk over the weeks, it was shocking to hear Roxxxy, Coco, and Alyssa acknowledging (among themselves) that Jinkx is a viable contender for the crown.

Well, they're right! But I think it’s anyone’s game. Given that the last three challenges have focused squarely on performance skills, I’m curious what other challenges await us this season. I'm bracing myself for some ridiculous one that may throw my favorite queens off their game, but I'm betting their Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent will get them through!

Check back next week, and check out the new Drag Race prints I've got in my store! You can also see the full versions of this week's portraits in my Drag Race gallery!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 6

March 06, 2013 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

Well, things are certainly going in an interesting direction, aren't they? Has the show ever set up an underdog like Jinkx? There's been a deafening roar of support for her since the Snatch Game, and with this week's singing challenge (and next week's comedy one), I'm betting she's going to keep shining. And she's finally gaining some confidence against the Rolaskatox alliance just as that trio is starting to crumble. How great was it when she shouted "Jinkx!" right after they shouted "Rolaskatox"? Even Ru told her she needed to steal the spotlight.

And I love that she's finally snatching some attention for herself, speaking up more often and stealing the show during the singing challenge. (That girl's got lungs!) I think it'll be reeeeally interesting to see how she develops over the season, and whether she has a shot at the crown. (I sure hope so!)

I love all three queens of Rolaskatox, but I don't like cliques on the show, period. I'm glad that even the judges feel the same way, though I'm skeptical of what might actually change in coming episodes. This week, it seemed like the main problem with their performance was that they were just having too much fun together.

Still, I thought Roxxxy brought a fun energy to the recording session ("Where my people at?") and she was a beaming neon beauty on the runway.

How crazy was Detox's plastic surgery confessional? The only way I could process that was to think of her body as some sort of sculpture that she's shaping however she desires. Which is fair, right? What do you think? (Leave your comments below!)

It's nearly a sure thing that she'll make it to the final three, but I was surprised to hear some of the harsh criticism she got this week. The fact that Michelle is already getting tired of Detox's distinctive lip synching style is a bad sign--it reminds me of the diminishing returns of Manila's slapstick style, which wowed the judges the first few times, but fell flat during All Stars.

Regardless, I hope we see plenty more of Detox... and her assets.

I really liked some other runway looks this week--I had genuinely hoped to draw both Alyssa and Ivy, but I just couldn't find the time. Hopefully next week, though. I think we've got an extremely strong group of queens, and yet I keep falling back to drawing my favorites each time!

I'm interested to see how Coco fares from here. With Jade gone, it seems like the only friend Coco has left is... Alyssa? Still, Coco is such a fierce performer, I have a hard time imagining any other queen sending her home. So my guess? An Alyssa vs. Coco lip synch--coming soon!

Finally: Alaska. I was disappointed to hear the judges complaints about her--before the season even began, I was worrying that Alaska's one weak point would be her lack of vulnerability. And although I think we've seen some really great moments with her in the workroom, I can understand how the judges have a narrower view of her--they mostly just see her runway looks, which are probably where she's weakest. But week to week, I love seeing how she approaches each challenge, and I especially loved her over-the-top vocal stylings during the recording session. Oh, and that girl knows how to paint a face.

All this week's art is already available for sale in my Print Shop, so go check 'em out! And tune in next week for Ru's Roast!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 5

February 27, 2013 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

This was the week, girls! THE SNATCH GAME! And it culminated in one of the most rewarding moments of the season, with Jinkx Monsoon finally getting the recognition she deserves!... after fighting for it throughout a brutal, punishing episode. Coco summed it up best at the end of this week's Untucked: "Competition brings the best and the worst out of everybody." With several of the queens feeling insecure and defensive about their Snatch Game performances, they pile on the shining star of the challenge, accusing her of being too quirky and unpolished for the competition. But, wait... haven't the other queens SEEN the past two seasons of this show? Remember Raja? And Sharon Needles? The eccentric, edgy queens who've won the damn thing?

I really felt for Jinkx, who refused to sink to the level of the combative queens, and I'm so, so glad she emerged on top. I had been relishing the chance to see her perform as Little Edie, and she didn't disappoint. The level of polish and wit she brought to the character was just sickening--especially when she took advantage of the Game's awkward pauses and snatched back the spotlight.

(And as a sidenote, my hilariously neurotic, reclusive cat is named Edie, in honor of Little Edie. Here she is, being her usual self.)

In any case, you all know how much I love this queen. And damn, do I like drawing her.

But Jinkx has got some competition! This season has its share of fierce performers--week to week, you never know whether Alaska, Detox, or Jinkx will steal the show. Given my overwhelming love for campy queens, I adore all three, but I really have no idea who might edge each other out. How could you pick just one for the crown??

I still adore Alaska, who remains a total wild card--you never know when she'll pull out some delightfully deranged quip or costume. (I do love those animal masks, by the way...) Her performance as Lady Bunny was a hell of a time, and her runway look, although simple, was sleek and funny.

Some of the queens really went with the fishy theme of "The Deadliest Snatch," but others? Not so much. As a total nerd, I figured some of the other queens might have gone more in the "deadly" direction, dressing up like... assassins? Sexy, dangerous ladies? (Jade, Coco, and Roxxxy were totally serving that up, am I right?)

I liked Roxxxy's Snatch Game performances a lot, even though I didn't know anything about the Braxton sister she was portraying. She brings a lot of energy and humor to each challenge, and really, I need no excuse to draw a mohawk.

I was sure Ivy and Lineysha would be stuck lip synching for their lives this week. Although I love both queens, they're pretty subdued, and so I was worried we'd have another underwhelming match-up. But that was not to be! Instead, we got to see Detox at her best, and what a sight she was! I may have my gripes about the predominant role of lip synching in drag competitions, but Detox showed us all how it's done. As if her inimitable facial contortions weren't fierce enough, how much did you love her spin move, where her "jellyfish" dress whipped up around her?

This girl gets it.

As always, I've got books and prints of my Drag Race work (including your favorite Season 5 gals!) right here, so take a look at my online store!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 4

February 20, 2013 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

So, this episode definitely shook things up, right? And not just by putting those poor queens in a ballet! First, how fun was it to see Ru in an afro and gettin’ down? When she’s in drag, Ru cultivates an almost regal detachment, so seeing her let loose and get funky was a delight.

Over the last two weeks, we’ve also seen a lot more of Jinkx, whom you know I love. She seemed to be a smart leader, taking control but making sure everyone was on board with her decisions. She picked a team of graceful, elegant dancers (Jade, Ivy, Lineysha)..... and Alaska. But come on, you knew Alaska would bring enough attitude to carry her through the challenge.

We also got to see more of Honey and Vivienne, which immediately made me suspicious--from early on, I suspected that they were being given their brief moments in the sun before falling into the bottom two.

Despite the smokin’ hot choreographers, the rehearsal scenes left me worried that the final performance was inevitably going to be a trainwreck. But I was surprised at how charming and artful it was! Ru’s voiceovers were lovely, and I loved the small, poignant scenes they described.

Alaska’s opening number as Ru’s mom was fabulous, mostly for her scowl, glasses, and crazy hair. (Yes, I did consider doing an animation of Alaska spanking baby Ru.) Jinkx and Ivy were fabulous, too--I knew Jinkx had formal dance training, but I was especially impressed with Ivy, who channeled such a fun, sunny playfulness.

And yes, Alyssa and Coco were fabulous. It was great to see them working together, their drama contributing to the intensity of the scene. This episode conveyed Alyssa in a particularly nice light, showing both her lighter side (the ridiculous faces in the mirror) and her talents (what a dancer!). I had hoped to do a portrait of both Alyssa and Coco facing off against each other, but alas, there’s only so much a boy can do every week!

The runway segment was a hurried afterthought this week, but there were some stunning looks--I HAD to draw Ivy in her Victor/Victoria inspired gown. (If you’re not familiar with the film, you MUST check out VICTOR/VICTORIA . It features Julie Andrews performing (kind of) as a drag queen. Yeah, I know. Here’s a link.)

Detox’s look this week was sheer perfection. It had an almost alien sense of glamour, all those shimmering shapes! And that hair!

The double elimination was striking, and I was especially sad to see Honey go. I think she’s both an immense talent and stunning beauty, but got tripped up on her wardrobe choices. Since the show, however, I think she’s attained a new level of polish and sophistication--have you seen her brand new music video? So I’m hoping to see a lot more of Honey soon!

Next week is the Snatch Game, hunties, so get ready! I’m dying to see Jinkx’s “Little Edie,” even though none of the other queens might know who the hell that is.

In the meantime, make sure to check out my print store, where I’ve been posting a lot of my latest Season 5 work! So, get yours now!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 3

February 13, 2013 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

Yeah, I know Alaska is still a totally polarizing queen, but can you argue that she's not the funniest one this season? I mean, come on, this week's mini-challenge? I died. Lil' Poundcake, whose catchphrase is "You're not my real dad and you never will be" was priceless. But my favorite line of the episode was her dry response when Rupaul asked about the underlying lesson to their children's programming: "Down with Communism!" I wasn't weirded out by Alaska's choice to serve up some Farmer Peewee realness during the TV shoot--for me, the challenge was about proving yourself as a comedian and actor, not as a ravishing drag beauty. So, what was all the fuss about?

The overall challenge this week was totally absurd, but in the zany Drag Race way that we all know and love. Despite some of the trainwreck performances, I was actually surprised by the number of queens who really nailed their characters. Including, of course, Jinkx.

I've been frustrated by the lack of screen time Jinkx gets, since she's one of my very favorite queens this season. But this challenge gave her an opportunity to show off her performance skills, not to mention some of her lovelier looks so far. (People have been saying she did a riff based on Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, but I totally missed it. Anyone?)

This episode seemed to set up Jinkx as sort of an underdog, finally giving us a little bit more about her history (especially her awesomely supportive grandmother). And although she didn't win this week's challenge, hopefully we'll see her pull ahead sometime soon.

Roxxxy was pretty fabulous in the "Kidster TV" challenge, too, especially because she embraced such a deranged, silly character. I've been trying to nail down what exactly I find so alluring about Roxxxy--I think she embodies a kind of hyper-realized mega-glamour, which you rarely see pulled off so well. Raven does so, too, but with a very different approach. For Roxxxy, it seems so effortless, but also so utterly fabulous. If Jinkx is this season's underdog, Detox is definitely the top dog, or, uh... biggest bitch? In only the best way. Tall, stylish, stunningly distinctive, and sickeningly talented, I think she's going to be hard to beat.

When Ru announced the runway's theme was "Think Pink," I groaned a little. But only Detox could pull out such an unexpected, stunning number.

By the end of this episode, it felt like the show had run through a lot of the "big storylines" it alluded to in the first episode and in subsequent teasers. Monica's "big secret" has been revealed, Serena got taken down, and I'd guess most of the drama and intrigue about Coco and Alyssa's past has been dealt with. No, we haven't heard exactly why Alyssa lost her title, but I suspect the actual reasons are complicated and not terribly dramatic, so I doubt the show will dwell much more on all that.

So, what's next for this season? My hope is that, now that a lot of the over-sized personalities and rivalries have gotten their share of the spotlight, we might get to see more of the quieter queens, like Honey, Ivy, and (of course) Jinkx. However, in this week's Untucked, we got a glimpse of something new on the horizon--a potential romance brewing between Roxxxy and Detox. Which could be pretty spectacular, but I just hope the other queens get a little love, too.

Although we're only 3 weeks into Season 5, I've already gotten permission from a lot of the queens to make my illustrations of them available here, so I'll be posting 11 x 14 prints at $10 each in my Drag Race Print Shop!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 2

February 06, 2013 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

So, when Ru said this episode would be all about drag herstory, I got so excited! Finally, they're bringing in a historical context! What will they be referencing, Paris is Burning? Pink Flamingos? Stonewall? Nope. Past seasons of the Drag Race.

Which, admittedly, was a lot of fun! Although the lip synch challenge might have seemed strange, I have seen drag queens incorporate that spoken word style into their stage acts, so it's at least as relevant to the art of drag as any of this show's other outrageous challenges.

Plus, it gave me an excuse to dig up some of my favorite old pieces, like Raja's stunning powdered wig costume.

I loved the queens who brought a little something special to their lip synch performances--like Jinkx, with her sadsack rendition of Mimi, even though I wish she would have gotten rid of that troublesome lampshade! (It was, however, a funny homage to Mimi's original and unforgettable headpiece, which I depicted in one of my very first Drag Race portraits!)

I couldn't help but be tickled by Detox and Alaska, who definitely bring a sense of spontaneity and edge to these challenges. Who could resist that bloody, outrageous kiss between their Sharon and Phi Phi?

We're still so early in the season that there are just too many damn queens on this show! And they really are all so good, it's hard for any but the most outspoken to stand out. I'm hoping we continue to see a lot more of Jinkx, Honey, and Ivy, who've all suffered from lack of screen time.

The show didn't seem to establish any particular theme for this week's runway challenge, so a lot of queens seem to have brought out their craziest outfits, vying for attention. Most of them were totally fabulous, and it was hard picking just a few! (I mean seriously, I didn't even have time for Ivy's crazy butterfly outfit!)

First, Jinkx Monsoon! Yes, her outfit this week was very simple, but it was sleek and wonderful, and I adore this queen. Get used to it, girls!

Next, Alaska! Was this a showstopping outfit? No, but it was nice to see Alaska showing off a sleek, dark look.

Although some people might get sick of her raucous brand of humor, I think she's smart and sharp enough to keep us guessing. If you doubt me, check out the preview for next week's episode, where she slips in some delightfully twisted humor during an otherwise silly mini-challenge.

Serena ChaCha caught a lot of flak for her claims about bringing a unique, intellectual edge to the show--but in fact, I think it's queens like Sharon Needles, Alaska, Jinkx, and Detox who are already bringing their own brands of self-aware, thoughtful, and transgressive sensibilities to drag, expanding its boundaries and categories. And, you know, having fun while they're doing it!

Detox's costume this week was all kinds of crazy--I can only guess that she was dressed as some sort of evil fairytale queen? But it was fun as hell to draw.

I was utterly transfixed by Honey's runway look this week--something about the way she worked that flowing pink fabric made her seem otherworldly! I live for Honey's sleek fashion, so I'm hoping we see a lot more of her.

And finally: Roxxxy Andrews! I thought this was a STUNNING look--Ms. Roxxxy is really growing on me. I'm guessing she'll have a lot of variety and sophistication in her runways looks this season, and that they'll leave all of us gagging.

Inevitably, the episode dedicated to revisiting the most dramatic scenes from past seasons led to one of the most unforgettable Untucked sequences in Drag Race herstory, featuring the utter annihilation of a drag queen. (Poor Serena!) If you missed it, you must go watch itnow. Despite that cringe-inducing pile-on of Serena, the message from Monica's mom was pretty special.

As always, you can buy prints and book collections of all my best art from past seasons of the Drag Race, and I'm hoping to make some Season 5 work available soon!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 1

January 29, 2013 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

Another season of the Drag Race is underway, and I'm already overwhelmed--so many queens! So much drama! So much to draw! But seriously, it is a really fascinating mix of queens. They kept saying how fishy they all are, but I'm more impressed at the diverse set of skills and styles we have here. I had done a bit of research into the queens prior to the season for my full-cast poster that you can see here, so I definitely already had some favorites.

First of all, I love the deranged, funny, self-aware queens: Alaska, Detox, and Jinkx.

Alaska's got her demented glam style down, with a sharp wit to match. My only concern had been whether she'd be able to show a softer side, which this episode delivered. There's been a lot of discussion about whether Alaska's relationship with past winner Sharon Needles will be either a hindrance or unfair advantage--I'm glad that this episode let the girls ask all those questions and get 'em out of the way. Alaska was candid and funny about the jealousy, frustration, and insecurity she feels about it all. And now, hopefully, she can move on in this competition unencumbered.

And I seriously can't wait to see her shine in some performance challenges.

Detox is a clear frontrunner--she's got incredible style, a distinctive look, and an ego the size of California. I'm hoping we're able to get to know her better throughout the season-- she has an ironic detachment and arrogance that reminds me a lot of her friend Willam. But regardless, I can't wait to see what else Detox brings to the show!

And then there's Jinkx: what a gem!

I have a huge soft spot for Jinkx, and I'm not afraid to shout that from the rooftops. I think she's funny as hell, embraces a delightfully quirky style, and is an amazing performer. I think she might be the greatest "funny queen" in the show's history, and I'm hoping this show helps launch her into superstardom. She's already been producing hilarious web videos for years (check out her Funny or Die series "Monsoon Season") and is currently starring in a Seattle production of Hedwig & The Angry Inch, which I would DIE to see. My only worry about Jinkx is that, although she's a fantastic actor, singer, and comedian, the Drag Race's emphasis on lip sync and fashion might be her downfall. (but I hope not!)

But, as in every season of the Drag Race, there are surprises. I didn't know much about Roxxxy beforehand, but with her juicy curves, enormous hair, and sleek fashion, I think she could go far. And if you watch Untucked, you'll see that Roxxxy can read these girls FOR DAYS.

I think Honey Mahogany is as sweet as her namesake, not to mention strikingly gorgeous and stylish. She's also one of several queens this season who's an accomplished singer. I'm hoping she's a standout this year, but I'm worried she might be too damn nice for this show!

I can't wait to draw the outrageous outfits that Ivy Winters will walk down the runway! She clearly has some design skills, and I'm hoping she gets more of a chance to show off her personality, too. (I had been hoping to draw her this week, but just didn't have time. But soon!)

My biggest surprise this week was Lineysha Sparx--although she's an obvious beauty, I hadn't expected her to bring such style and grace to the show. Seriously, that girl moves like a cat. And even though her runway look was stunning and should have won the challenge, I decided her first look would be even more fun to draw!

I'm definitely not planning to animate all my Drag Race art this year, but I wanted to have some fun this week. Let me know if you like 'em!

As always, prints of my Drag Race work from past seasons can be found here, as well as art books that collect the best pieces!

Check back next week for my thoughts and drawings of the second episode!

Start your engines...

January 21, 2013 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

Girls, it's almost time! In celebration of the new season of the Drag Race, I've put together some new work featuring all fourteen queens!

I've assembled this poster of all the queens, and I'm making it available (for free!) in all sorts of different sizes in case you want to use it as a wallpaper on your phone, tablet, or computer!

Click below to get the image formatted for your phone, tablet, or whatever!

Computer wallpaper:

Large (1600 x 1200)
Medium (1280 x 1024)
Small(800 x 600)

Check out my drawings of each individual queen from Season 5 here, and as always, I have a ton of other DRAG RACE prints and books for sale right here! Get all your favorite queens: Sharon Needles, Raven, Jujubee, Chad Michaels, Latrice, Manila, Raja, and lots more! So, you know. Check it out!

If you're dying for more Drag Race excitement, check out Logo's "Meet the Queens" videos for a sneak peek at some of this season's most colorful personalities!

And here are some of my favorite videos of the queens that I've stumbled across while stalking researching them!

HONEY MAHOGANY(What a class act! What a voice! What a gal!)

ALASKA (Holy Christ)

DETOX(Deranged and brilliant)

JINKX MONSOON! (SO GOOD)

Stay tuned! I'll be posting portraits of my favorite queens from the first episode next week!

2012: The Year in Review

December 26, 2012 by Chad Sell in The Sellout

So, the biggest decision I made this year was to quit the ol’ dayjob and go freelance full time. I’m generally an embarrassingly frugal, cautious person, but the time had come: I had spent more than six years as a caregiver to the elderly, despite mountains of evidence that I just didn’t have the temperament, patience, or grace for such a profession.

Certainly, I amassed innumerable worthwhile experiences throughout that era of my life, and I cared deeply for those I helped--both my own grandparents, and an additional elderly couple. But things were taking a turn for the worse, and with the glimmering prospect of several spectacular illustration jobs on the horizon, I decided to finally take the plunge.

And bafflingly, it’s worked so far.

I feel supremely lucky to have stumbled into the strange, wondrous niche of illustrating drag queens (of all things!). Best of all, I still get a thrill from every new episode of Rupaul’s Drag Race, and it’s pretty damned amazing to hear from so many amazing fans.

One of the long-term projects I’ve been working on is an upcoming mobile game called DRAGOPOLIS, and again, I’m extremely fortunate to have been dragged into the experience--this time, by Jeff at So Much Drama Studios! The game has allowed me to combine my lifelong love of video games with a fiery new passion for animation, and I seriously just can’t wait for the game to be unveiled!

Now that I’m finally making a living creating art for money, it’s led me to look at my own work in a new light. When you charge an hourly rate to draw for other people, it makes you question what drives you to create on your own time, when you don’t have someone to invoice.

I’m still trying to figure that out, and it's been helping me choose which of my personal projects to pursue throughout 2013.

Early in 2012, I brought the first major storyline of my webcomic Manta-Man to a close, after more than a year of zany, irreverent adventures with a colorful ensemble cast that I love. Publishing Manta-Man on a weekly basis was hugely important for me, and it helped develop my comedic timing, storytelling, and even my basic grasp of human anatomy. I’ve been planning out further stories for Manta-Man and the other crazy characters in that universe, but I’m holding off on making any bold predictions about when they might appear.

Part of my reluctance about diving back into that bawdy, watery world derives from an itch to work on something a bit more serious, ambitious, and personal.

And so, after setting it aside for several years, I’m finally returning to my work on Vreeland, the autobiographical comics about the turbulent era during which I took care of my grandparents.

I had spent several years developing those stories, but I was creating those initial comics while still serving as caregiver for my grandparents, which resulted in an endless loop of paralysis and creative claustrophobia.

But now, years later, and with a broader perspective, I finally feel ready to return to both those memories and those stories, and shape them into something new.

I’m not sure when exactly the new work will appear online--I’d like to pitch the final book to publishers while self-publishing each new chapter in serial form, but that might understandably get complicated. In the meantime, I’m going to leave the original stories online here, but keep in mind that the new form Vreeland takes will essentially be starting from scratch.

I learned the first time around that working solely on autobiographical work can present a challenge, and so I’m still writing, researching, and daydreaming about several other comics projects--wherever my imagination takes me!

However, as I’ve slowly accumulated more wisdom as a writer, I’ve learned when a story is ready, and when it’s still just a half-baked collection of cool characters and artsy set pieces. So until I’ve assembled all the pieces into place, those other projects will linger in the back of my mind, where I like to visit them and see what’s new.

2013 will be another year of big changes. After living in Michigan for the past 7 years, I’ll most likely be moving with my beautiful boyfriend to a beautiful new city. So, that’s kind of a bigger deal than any of this comic book crap, right?

But don’t worry, amidst all of the ensuing adventures the new year brings, I’ll always find time to draw lots and lots of drag queens. And, hopefully, other stuff, too.

The ALL STARS collection is now available to order!

November 30, 2012 by Chad Sell in The Sellout

The ALL STARS COLLECTION is now available for pre-order!

This is a 5.5" x 7.5" 28 page book collecting all my best ALL STARS work, including some of the exclusive portraits I did of the queens' iconic costumes from their original seasons!

Buy the ALL STARS COLLECTION for $10!

[add_to_cart item="066" quantity="user:1" text="ALL STARS COLLECTION" ]

Or get the ALL STARS in THE QUEENS COLLECTION bundled with my 3rd and 4th season art books, 30 QUEENS and 40 QUEENS for $25!

[add_to_cart item="105" quantity="user:1" text="The QUEENS COLLECTION" ]

I've sent the book off to the printer today (Friday, November 30th) so I'm planning to start shipping these orders the weekend of December 8th in plenty of time for X-MAS!

And, of course, you can combine these orders with my Drag Race prints right here!

ALL STARS: Episode 6

November 28, 2012 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

Well, my dears, it's over! It's hard to believe that all this insanity took place over just 6 episodes, right? But with this group of girls, are you really surprised? The most interesting aspect of All Stars was revisiting some of these queens with fresh perspective. Tammie Brown really shined in the early episodes, and for me, Yara Sofia proved herself to be positively radiant with her energy and outrageous costumes. But really, no queen surprised me quite like Shannel. Her outsized personality and costumes can be polarizing, but she came across as so much more energetic, enthused, and gracious than I remember from her time in the first season of the Drag Race.

And yes, a lot of her costumes are crazy, but they're really fun to draw.

I think Jujubee was a favorite for a lot of fans, and justifiably so. That girl's just got it-- the right mix of sweet and sour, where you don't know if she's going to hug you or take you to the library and read you, hunty!

Plus, she's an amazing performer, and I'm dying to see her lip sync in person! (Next time I'm in Boston, sweetie!)

It was fabulous to rediscover Team Rujubee--seriously, it feels like Season Two was so, so long ago. Don't you want to just lounge around with them on some Form Decor couches and drink a couple million Absolut cocktails with them from here to eternity?

When it all came down to Raven and Chad, I was torn, though I would have been happy if either had won. I've been gagging over Raven's fashion this season, and she absolutely killed her comedy routine, but Chad Michaels is able to bring an amazing, fierce energy to every challenge he's given, even when totally out of his comfort zone.

So, congratulations, Chad! You're talented, gorgeous, and absolutely captivating. As Ru says, "Keep your face fierce, and your tuck tight!"

If you've been digging my Drag Race art, check out my online store which features 11" x 14" prints and collections of my work!

You can also pre-order my ALL STARS book collection right now for just $10! (This should be ready in a few weeks, in time for Christmas!)

ALL-STARS: Episode 5

November 20, 2012 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

Okay, sorry, you've got to forgive me, but I'm still in a lovey-dovey daze from this episode. Seriously, it was just too much. Comics, drama, costumes--what else could a boy want? Though honestly, the episode's beginning was a little rough--playing F-I-S-H on the basketball court? Ugh, seriously, drudging up all sorts of childhood trauma for this nelly-boy artist. For an episode based entirely around comic books, focusing on basketball for the mini-challenge felt pretty random. Why not have a fun comic challenge to start things off? Like, maybe have a comic book artist show up who is also totally into drag queens and drawing them and he'd just hang out with the girls and feel special and loved and he'd be on TV finally, FINALLY on the Drag Race, andhe'ddrawthemall and itwouldbesomagical andthen......

Whoops, sorry. Totally should have been on this episode. Just saying. And why didn't we get a few shots (or ten) of the Pit Crew shooting some hoops? Come on, Drag Race producers! GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!

In any case, the comic theme was lots of fun. (I should point out that my buddy Justin Hall wrote a whole graphic novel starring a drag superheroine, Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny, and it's great!) It was also great to see the queens puzzle through their various origin stories, despite their difficulties with the challenge. Seriously, girls, you ever need help writing up some comic stories? I'm your man. Call me. Please.

Favorite line of that segment? Shannel: "He's the Disney bitch. And... I'm just an evil c*nt."

Favorite observation of that segment? Raven's mom is a fox! Must run in the family...

ANYWAY! I loved all the runway looks. The queens are sickening, and it's great to see them having fun with their giant-sized superhero personas. And Ru was looking her absolute best--I nearly drew her, but I already had four outfits to illustrate, so we'll just have to make do without. Also, it was a thrill to see Wendy and Elvira get so into the judging process. Right?

The lip sync between Raven and Jujubee was, of course, intense and wonderful. Some folks seem to think that the queens essentially broke down on stage and failed to perform. But the way I saw it, both of them, wracked with emotion, performed the song the only way they could: as a wrenching tribute to each other.

Chad brings up the Hunger Games a lot, and Rujubee essentially pulled off Katniss' trick at the end of the first book--manipulating the judges to let them both live.

And for that, I'm grateful.

As Chad said in Untucked: "Each of you bitches is on point."

--Prints of this week's queens are available right here in my online store!

ALL-STARS: Episode 4

November 15, 2012 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

Okay, I'll say it: I liked Team Yarlexis. They kicked ass at the cheer-reading challenge, sported colorful, fun outfits for the "girl group" performance, and worked best as a team among all the All Stars. But, yes, they were highly polarizing among viewers, and the whole "she-mergency" debacle totally derailed things. In any case, one last portrait of Alexis and Yara, because I love them, no matter what you say.

Also, I was privileged to join in on a Drag Race discussion at SLATE withBryan Lowder, soclick here for some especially catty commentary on this week's show.

I thought the overall "girl-group" challenge was pretty great, and although I prefer the focus to remain on the queens, their "celebrity" guests did allow for some good drama, as well as an outsider's perspective on our All-Stars. (Obviously, the candor with which Chad and Shannel discussed their tumultuous relationship was particularly moving.)

It was fabulous to see the queens perform for live audiences, because these girls know how to work a crowd! I thought all the teams did well--the editing made it hard to really evaluate each queen's performance. But for me, the standout was Jujubee, who does, indeed, "give good mouth."

As we saw last week, this competition is brutal and unforgiving (still can't believe Latrice and Manila are gone!) and this episode's lip sync was especially rough--we've been dying to see someone push the "she-mergency" button all season, but its debut was a dud. Ah, well! At least we got to see a whole lotta Raven!

As always, I have a million prints of my Drag Race work available here! You can also buy print collections of the third and fourth seasons of RPDR right here!

ALL-STARS: Episode 3

November 07, 2012 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

Well! That was an episode.

Did the queens deserve better than a challenge that left them pleading with passersby on the street? Yes, of course.

But it was interesting to see which queens had that mysterious ability to charm strangers--a skill I certainly don't have. My favorite was Chad--how fun was it to see her dancing on the street, trying to lure people in?

I really dug the girls' runway looks this week. Chad looked like a punky old GI Joe villain, right? In the best kind of way.

And I was SO glad to finally see Raven's full geisha outfit after getting glimpses of it from the show's teasers.

SO. FIERCE.

I think both teams Rujubee and Shad have been really good at matching their outfits for effect. However, I think the only team that's really been working to mix things up and become better than the sum of its parts is Yarlexis. It was obvious with the show's first photo challenge ("Opposites Attract") that they were swapping styles and accessories--or in that case, switching identities.

We saw that culminate with this week's runway looks, with Yara prodding Alexis into edgier territory--to glorious effect! And I think Alexis' matching outfit helps give some grounding and context to Yara's even more outrageous wardrobe.

So, despite my utter astonishment that Latrice and Manila were kicked off the show, I wanted to give Yarlexis some love!

I fully expected Latrila to make it to the final episode, especially after Latrice's luminous lip sync last week. But they're both superstars, and they'll be fine. In fact, they've already come out with a collaborative music video this week: The Chop! (Seriously, check it out--they sport some sickening looks!)

And also check out my store, where you can find prints of my Drag Race work--now featuring both Raven and Jujubee!

ALL-STARS: Episode 2

October 31, 2012 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

Okay, folks, I've got some new All-Stars art to share, and I want to do this fast. Honestly, this episode's mini-game tickled me endlessly--how fun was it to watch the teams play InDaButtRu? Besides Latrice and Manila, everyone seemed to know each other on a shockingly intimate level, leading to oodles of enjoyment. I LOVE how well Jujubee and Raven know each other. And that Raven doesn't wear underwear. Also, that Yara prefers panties.

My life is better because of that.

Was the subsequent sketch comedy challenge kind of painful and awkward? Eh, sure. I was delighted to see Yara shine in her role--both she and Tammie have really benefited from having the spotlight once again. And I was surprised at how great a Madonna Manila proved to be.

In any case, the runway looks were lovely and light and campy and wonderful.

I KNEW that my biggest problem this season would be picking just a few queens to draw each week, even though I seriously love them all.

Manila has proven to be even more polished and sickening than in Season 3, though she also seems more emotive and likeable. She may be the queen to beat this time around! I loved her sunny 60's look! Rock those blond wigs, girl!

I thought Nina and Tammie looked really great this week, too, and I came veeeery close to drawing Nina's albino glamour realness. But instead, I had to capture the captivating likeness of Ms. Tammie Brown--love her or hate her, she's got something going on!

Plus, I mean, check out those eyebrows.

(I've hidden two goofy little animations in this week's work--can you spot 'em all?)

I do have to wonder about the tactics these queens have been taking with their lip sync performances. Last week, I was astonished that Pandora let Mimi perform for the both of them, as I was this week with Team Brown Flowers.

Tammie did pretty well, really. But, I mean, she was up against Latrice. LATRICE ROYALE, hunty!

Ain't no one who can throw down like Latrice. And the way she leapt across the stage!

Girl, she rocked my world. And she also inspired what may be my favorite Drag Race portrait ever.

(And just FYI: My prints of Manila, Latrice, and all the other fiercest queens are available to buy right here. Just sayin!)

ALL-STARS: Episode 1

October 29, 2012 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

Hey girls! You miss me? Yes, I'm back to illustrate the ALL-STARS, and it's gonna be SICKENING. I would have loved to pose these new pieces sooner after the first episode aired, but I was a little busy finishing up work on a fabulous new iPhone game calledDRAGOPOLIS. Sorry 'bout it! I also did an official All Stars comic for Logo, so this boy has been busy!

Anyhoo! On to the main attraction: the ALL-STARS! Was anyone as thrilled as I was to see these girls gathered together? They were all sporting luscious-lady-looks, but I was dying to draw Manila in her smokin' outfit. (Seriously, best headpiece in Drag Race herstory!)

For me, a lot of the fun was seeing what dynamics emerged between all these fan-favorites, guessing at the crazy, interweaving histories they all had. And having the girls pick teams certainly revealed some interesting tidbits: Who expected Tammie and Nina to pick each other in the first round? Alexis wanted Shannel as her top choice? Latrice wanted Nina? Sheer insanity!

But still, compelling TV, amirite? Pandora's pairing with Mimi was rough, providing ample tension and drama for everyone. I felt bad for Pandora, who saw her hopes for the competition dashed, but I also felt a lot of sympathy for Mimi, who was earnestly trying to make the best of things.

(For anyone who wants more Boxx in their life, check out DRAGOPOLIS, in which Pandora Boxx wields a giant sword to take out her fiendish drag opponents. Seriously. COMING SOON! Also starring in Dragopolis? YARA SOFIA!)

The first episode's main "challenge" was a pair of photoshoots, but it ultimately felt like an afterthought--clearly, the focus was on the girls and their drama, as it should have been. But unfortunately, that deflated some of the stakes during the runway evaluations--it seemed pretty arbitrary which teams were in the top or bottom, but maybe that's just me. I'm sure, however, that we can all agree that the queens were SERVING IT on the runway, especially Team Ruji!

Ugh! GAGGING!

Honestly, I was hoping Pandora and Mimi would prove to be a scrappy underdog team who would prove everyone wrong about their chances. Sadly, Mimi was matched against Chad Michaels. And hunty, if you're lip synching for your life against Chad, you're gonna end up dead.

Be sure to check out my Print Shop to see which of these and other Drag Race images I offer as 11" x 14" art prints!

Summertime for the Sellout

June 10, 2012 by Chad Sell in The Sellout

Hey! So! I haven't been updating The Sellout much since the fourth season of Rupaul's Drag Race wrapped up, but I did want to give everyone an idea of what I've been doing. The past few months have been some of the craziest, busiest ones of my life, and I'm still kind of playing catch-up after all that, and figuring out where I want to go next.

Throughout March and April, I was working with laser focus, finishing up my giant arc of MANTA-MAN and illustrating the Drag Race. I LOVE putting out exciting new work every week, and I'm SO happy with the reception of both those projects, but I was nearly burnt out by the end of it. To pile on top of all that, I was racing to publish MANTA-MAN's collection Swimming with Sharks in time for a bunch of comics conventions I attended in April and May. Back-to-back, I went to SPACE in Columbus, MoCCA in NYC, and TCAF in Toronto! That was a lot of travelling and a lot of work. Awesome and exhilarating and eye-opening, but still. Right in the middle of that, I got involved in some intriguing new illustration jobs, too, which I hope to reveal soon.

And THEN my brother got married, and I got a new computer, and my birthday came around, and I'm still sending out Drag Race orders, and playing Diablo III...

Anyway, things have been busy. But I'm thinking, hoping, praying that things settle down a bit this summer so that I can get back to making comics again!

Granted, I have been posting weekly comics over at MANTA-MAN, which you should absolutely be reading, but I need some time before jumping back into any of my bigger book projects. The problem is that I have a few too many different comic ideas in mind--the next giant story for MANTA-MAN, finally returning to my VREELAND stories, starting over with my kids' graphic novel... I need to figure out where to focus my efforts, right? Also, I need to write these damn books, too.

Rest assured that I am working on a lot of cool comics projects and playing around with my style, process, and stories, but it might be a while before I'm able to post anything substantive. That being said, check out some inking studies I did of Sachiko and Dixie--sexy, right? Mmmm, brushwork.

I've also been doing some personal commissions, which have been lots of fun. So if you want to hire me to draw nice pictures for you, let me know!

OH! And I'll be exhibiting at a few more conventions this summer!

CAKE Expo -Chicago, June 16-17
Kids Read Comics -Ann Arbor, July 7-8

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Reunited

May 01, 2012 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

(Chad's note: due to some technical difficulties, the images in this post won't appear correctly. Sorry!)

Okay, so, this was fun, right? The whole "drawing drag queens for months on end" thing?

Yeah, it's been pretty cool.

Also, the reunion thing was nice--I dug seeing Ru perform in a live setting. She had a bit more verve and sparkle than usual, and it was delightful to watch her play off the audience.

And it was rewarding to see Phi Phi called out for her shenanigans, without any redemptive closure like we've seen in the past (remember how gracious Tyra was in her reunion episode?)

[singlepic id=166 w=350 h=500 float=right]Willam looked real good this week, though I don't think she got kicked off just for conjugal visits with the hubby. What do you think?

Oh, and yeah, Latrice is just the best.

And so! Sharon won! I love you, Sharon, though couldn't you have shared that crown with Chad? Because he was looking as luminous as ever.

To the right, you'll see a glimpse of Sharon on the cover of 40 Queens, a forthcoming collection of my 40 best pieces of Drag Race art from the fourth season! It's now available to preorder for $6, or combine it with my collection from the third season, 30 Queens, for just $10!

And below, check out the full portrait of the reigning champion: the spooky! the beautiful! SHARON NEEDLES!

[singlepic id=167 w=550 h=700 float=center]

As ever, my prints of Sharon, Chad, and Latrice are available at my online print shop for just $5!

It's seriously been such a delight to illustrate the Drag Race for another season! Thanks for sharing in the weekly delights of each episode, and thanks for your support! You're such fierce queens, all of you!

Rupaul's Drag Race, Season 4: Finale

April 25, 2012 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

(Chad's note: due to some technical difficulties, the images in this post won't appear correctly. Sorry!)

Wow, so this was an intense episode. Seriously, I teared up a few times. But I'm also exhausted and these queens just need to be seen. [singlepic id=164 w=435 h=550 float=center]

Look! I drew Phi Phi! I thought she did well in the lip sync--could she win? Could she??

[singlepic id=163 w=550 h=650 float=center]

Chad was pretty amazing, as well. And a good name, too.

[singlepic id=165 w=550 h=700 float=center]

And yeah, this picture pretty much sums up how I feel this late at night, after working the day job and drawing some queens.

But it's not quite over, yet, folks! I might have to draw the winner next week!

Until then, check out which Drag Race prints I've got for sale!

Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 4, Ru's Recap Week

April 17, 2012 by Chad Sell in Blogging the Drag Race, The Sellout

(Chad's note: due to some technical difficulties, the images in this post won't appear correctly. Sorry!)

[singlepic id=158 w=350 h=550 float=right]Wow, just one more week to go, and we'll have a WINNER! Who could choose between these three queens, amirite?

In honor of this week's recap, I wanted to revisit some outfits from earlier in the season that I missed before.

Lots of Drag Race fans suggested some of the queens' apocalyptic looks, and I love me some sci-fi realness, so I was happy to oblige. Here's Chad Michaels behind his heavenly veil:

And then there is, of course, Sharon's unforgettably winning look from that first episode...

[singlepic id=160 w=550 h=650 float=center]

[singlepic id=161 w=350 h=550 float=left]

All season, I've had fans clamoring for more pieces of Willam (who wouldn't want a piece of Willam?), and I knew that this lacy little number would be a pleasure to draw.

Besides Willam, I've also gotten a lot of requests for more portraits of Phi Phi. And I'll admit that watching this week's clip show reminded me how many truly lovely looks Phi Phi has brought down the runway.

But did I draw any of those?

No, of course not!

[singlepic id=162 w=375 h=550 float=center]

(But seriously, Phi Phi, you're gorgeous!)

As always, my prints of Chad Michaels, Sharon Needles, and Latrice Royale are available for sale right here!