Sell exemplifies the new career path in comics: he started out making comics on his own, then did webcomics and self-published his work. His first graphic novel, The Cardboard Kingdom, is a series of short stories by different writers, all illustrated by Sell. He lived in a neighborhood much like the Cardboard Kingdom, where he and his friends bounded through backyards in imaginative games and outfits. He also drew a lot and came up with all kinds of colorful characters. His favorites were often the villains, because despite being different and misunderstood, they were powerful and confident, and they got the best costumes. Chad lives in Connecticut with his husband and two cats.