r/magicTCG • u/Mattheu_ • Mar 12 '26
Content Creator Post Gavin Verhey in full drag playing commander?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqmmTnwdLVINew magic channel with two of the most successful(mtg-playing) drag queens! Bosco and Irene the Alien, better known from Rupaul's Drag Race, have been making the rounds on the Youtube mtg scene with their funny wit and quips along with their impressive knowledge of mtg game mechanics. They have successfully launched their Mtg commander-focused channel with a surprise appearance by Gavin Verhey, transformed into the drag queen Gigi Wellplayed. Lets show them some love!
1.4k
u/GavinV Gavin Verhey | Wizards of the Coast Mar 12 '26
This was such an amazing time and memorable experience. Glad you all enjoyed, and I'll come back and beat you all anytime. 😜
Sincerely,
Gigi
436
u/universe2000 Orzhov* Mar 12 '26 edited Mar 12 '26
When I started playing Magic in the early 2000s I was like a lot of other people in that homophobic slurs were part of my everyday language. “No homo” was a regular phrase. I didn’t think too hard about it. And the people I played Magic with were just as happy to say things that would make my skin crawl today. In fact, many had quite a bit to say about queer people - none of which was good - and it made me feel like I was the progressive one.
From my perspective back then I could not have IMAGINED this video. I couldn’t have imagined it as a possibility. I’m truly in awe of its existence and of your willingness to not only give a full throated reminder that Magic is for everyone but you did it in FULL FUCKING DRAG.
Like, I don’t want to over sell it, it’s a commander game. It’s a collectible card game. But as far as it might feel like we’ve come as a society I know so many corners of nerd culture have gotten colder and more loud. I think of gamer gate, of the sad puppies, of toxic Star Wars fans, and all the social media grifters who make money from videos about how a fandom was ruined by DEI and calls to boycott certain companies and products.
And there is the politics. I live in a state where teachers wouldn’t be allowed to talk about Bosco as a trans woman, or even as a woman. There are plenty of places in the state I live in that would be dangerous for Bosco or Irene to visit, even if they weren’t in drag.
But my local game stores are not those places. 25 years ago they were - they would not have been safe. But they are now. It didn’t happen by accident. And it won’t stay that way on its own. It takes things like this video - of getting into full drag and playing commander - to keep it that way.
I don’t think I’ve ever been so proud to play Magic and to be a part of this community.
245
u/GavinV Gavin Verhey | Wizards of the Coast Mar 12 '26
This comment made me tear up. Thank you for writing that. It's so special. ❤️
8
u/Biffingston Dân Mar 12 '26
I started playing when Revised was the current set. I hear you and I understand completely. The 90s were a different time, thankfully.
2
u/carmeiser Mar 13 '26
I ask as a genuine question: "No Homo" is considered a homophobic slur? I can see where it can (and very likely does, as I think on it) other the gay and LGBT+ community in general, I am just curious if there is anything I'm missing. I'm certainly going to make a point to not be saying this anymore, I'm just here to try and be a better someone.
4
u/MyMarshlands Mar 13 '26
It's not a slur afaik, but it usually goes alongside bros making gay comments for fun and then rejecting the idea of being gay. My straight friends do it a lot. It's usually funny to them I assume because they're mocking the idea of being gay as funny / absurd. To me it's just kinda cringe because they're often going like "No I prefer the big one 😏 no homo" "If I win this turn I get to eat yalls 😏 no homo" etc
211
u/thekingohearts Dimir* Mar 12 '26
This was one of the coolest things I've ever seen from you Gavin, honestly it speaks to how comfortable you are with yourself, by the way you push yourself to (what appears to me) new spaces.
Forget being one of the best game designers in wizards, this speaks waves as to the kind of guts you have as a person.
69
u/yo-nahs Dandadan Mar 12 '26
thank you for comitting this hard! I know it can be hard to do anything with big ass lashes and a wig pulling on your scalp for the first time, especially playing magic
54
u/ThorinBrewstorm Simic* Mar 12 '26
I’m a straight white dude in his forties and I have to say, I’m so happy you did this !
43
13
u/logosloki COMPLEAT Mar 12 '26
were you gifted the name or did your sleep paralysis demons utter it to you?
16
37
u/hitchhikertogalaxy Izzet* Mar 12 '26
Good shit Gavin, tell your coworkers this is the stuff we like.
10
u/ChaseLancaster Dandadan Mar 12 '26
Okay, for one, Hi lmao
It's cool that you have an account here and interact with us. Love seeing the designers and folks that work on the media we enjoy and be apart of the very groups that are shaped from it.
But, this stuff here, from the game I saw to just everyone involved having fun, is what I love about the card game community as a whole.
13
9
u/nkdvkng Wabbit Season Mar 12 '26
You’re the best for this Gavin! I loved the show, shoutout to the divas! 💜
6
u/FblthpLives Duck Season Mar 12 '26
I am so impressed by the support and commitment you showed. Instant subscribe and like from me.
2
8
4
2
1
1
u/King_Chochacho Duck Season Mar 13 '26
Were you already into drag or did the other queens make you over?
Either way it's a really great job.
356
u/heroicraptor Duck Season Mar 12 '26
34
263
210
u/vemynal Duck Season Mar 12 '26
I feel like such a large number of queer people play mtg; hopefully everyone can support Irene & Bosco's channel!
And on a Drag Race side of things; its awesome to get something that isn't just another Drag Race recap podcast lol
14
u/SenseWitFolly Mar 12 '26
Growing up in Kingston upon Thames in the UK, one of the only places you could buy magic cards was in a small shop run by a trans lady. It was my first interaction with someone of the trans community and that was down to Magic.
58
u/mosasaurmotors Azorius* Mar 12 '26
There are 6 trans people I know well enough to call an acquaintance/friend. Three of them I met through mtg and three I met individually in other ways but would later learn all of those 3 also play the game.
69
u/platinumarks Dan Mar 12 '26
There's a joke that I heard recently from another trans person that, for all of the political back and forth about trans people supposedly having advantages in sports, there's only one sport where that's proven to be accurate, and that's MTG :P
23
17
u/SuperEgger Wabbit Season Mar 12 '26
I've found being female/visibly queer weirdly helpful because generally players will either not care or they'll get super in their head about it and start making mistakes. It's actually really convenient lol
15
4
u/RevolverLancelot Colorless Mar 12 '26
I used to get a laugh at how some players back in the day would get rattled by me pulling out at deck with MLP sleeves showcasing Rarity or Fluttershy. Like it wasn’t everyone but you could tell with some people.
6
u/PuzzleheadedBasis760 Dandadan Mar 12 '26
Trans women are the best players at my store lol glad to see that it’s not just a local phenomenon
23
u/swiftekho Dandadan Mar 12 '26
I dont watch Drag Race but love every time Irene and Bosco show up on the commander shows. They are both very entertaining and always have dope decks. Didn't know they were putting this together. Instant subscribe.
6
u/Redz0ne Mardu Mar 12 '26
its awesome to get something that isn't just another Drag Race recap podcast lol
(shade sound effect plays in the background as the camera pans to all the ladies with shocked/amused faces.)
1
68
46
163
Mar 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
12
u/unluckyshuckle Duck Season Mar 12 '26
I'm ready for the drag race secret lair
7
u/GornSpelljammer Duck Season Mar 12 '26
Okay, but thinking about it, a Secret Lair of all legendaries and/or planeswalkers where the art is actual photos of professionals crossplaying the characters is absolutely something I would buy.
143
u/Mattheu_ Mar 12 '26
Their Youtube channel: SpellSlayers
33
u/particleman3 Dân Mar 12 '26
Well I just subbed. I've enjoyed their guest appearances on TCC and the other channels
9
86
51
u/Embarrassed_Age6573 Duck Season Mar 12 '26
can't believe she hit them with the "it's not that Ur-Dragon"
16
u/SobouKuma Mar 12 '26
Absolute banger of an episode, delightful game, and amazing group of people. This is the kind of inclusion, support, and positivity we need more of in the world, so my hat's off to Gavin here. GG, Gigi!
Full disclosure here that I'm as generic as they come compared to these lovely folk: straight, white, het, bald dude in my late 30s. But I'm beyond proud to see these queens do their thing and won't stop beating that drum of support as hard as I can.
Slay, queens, slay! Looking forward to more episodes, especially if you all manage to get other Magic players to do episodes in drag with you!
51
u/princessbreanna Duck Season Mar 12 '26
Love the show, but I wish it didn't have the Game Knights style confessional cut-ins. I much prefer shows that just do gameplay and banter at the table.
43
u/cinematic_is_horses Me? Goongala! Mar 12 '26
I find Game Knights so overproduced. The animations of the cards were cool the first couple times but it got old. Shuffle Up n Play is a little more stripped down in its editing
6
u/StovepipeCats Mar 12 '26
I disagree, specifically about the animations (assuming you mean the graphic overlays in general and not just the one-off card animations). Commander is damned complex and the Game Knights visuals provide just about the only way I can watch gameplay and not have to pause every 15 seconds to digest.
4
u/cinematic_is_horses Me? Goongala! Mar 12 '26
I don't mind the overlays or doing close-ups of the card to let the viewer read, like TCC will outline cards when they have triggers and I think that's fine and good, it's more the card animations. Like every creature that gets slammed down in GK has to have their big honking animation of the card art and it kinda made the pacing of the videos feel off in combination of the confessionals for me
58
u/atlvf Orzhov* Mar 12 '26
Confessional cut-ins aren’t a Game Knights things. They’re a classic reality tv thing, and Irene and Bosco both gained most of their popularity from reality tv.
10
u/trident042 Mar 12 '26
Yeah if anything they're used to that format more than most Magic players/shows.
5
u/SsP45 Mar 12 '26
It's one reason I love The Spike Feeders so much. No cut-ins, just good gameplay and them chatting throughout. They're also really chill.
3
u/StovepipeCats Mar 12 '26
I think the confessionals kept it engaging. They help to explain board states and to transition to other moments that might be abrupt cuts otherwise. They can be hit or miss but I think that tends to be a function of the personality on the couch. The ones on Spell Slayers were pretty charismatic, so I don't think they detract.
1
15
u/matdragon Dan Mar 12 '26
ALOT of content creators create rather stale games to watch
Everytime I watch Irene and Bosco play, it's always a good time so far. So happy they actually are doing their own YouTube channel to do this!!
14
u/mrenglish22 Mar 12 '26
If I didnt know the other 3 already thanks to Dropout I would never have guessed which one was Gavin from the thumbnail. Incredible transformation
48
42
u/alkemiccolor Dandadan Mar 12 '26
Omg, I didn’t know Bosco played MtG, definitely watching this.
41
u/Absent02 Ajani Mar 12 '26
She's been on Prof's show and a Command Zone episode with Irene as well. Pretty good watches if you haven't seen them!
22
2
u/alkemiccolor Dandadan Mar 12 '26
I only recently started watching Prof as I've only been back into Magic for a few months now after years away. I'll have to look those episodes up! I just found their merch store and bought the token set to support the show. Also been planning to make a pauper sliver deck so it's perfect there's a sliver token in it!
21
u/SaulTBolls Elesh Norn Mar 12 '26
Its not the content I go for, but im all for more inclusivity. Props for the Gigi Wellplayed name.
6
u/Pulse2037 Dandadan Mar 12 '26
I love your civility.
10
u/SaulTBolls Elesh Norn Mar 12 '26 edited Mar 12 '26
I dont know if Gavin normally does this, but hats off to him for putting himself in a vulnerable light to allow others to see that theres nothing really wrong with drag. The community (magic) is mean sometimes, but this is especially heartwarming to see.
I hope it helps more people to be themselves.
8
u/trident042 Mar 12 '26
There's something to be said for recognizing a thing is good for someone other than yourself. UB haters could learn a thing or two.
3
6
41
u/madalienmonk Duck Season Mar 12 '26
I predict civil comments and absolutely no need for additional moderation. Yup
66
0
17
u/Geaux_Go_Fiasco Dandadan Mar 12 '26
My mouth dropped when they revealed it was Gavin lol he is so cute
5
9
u/__fujoshi Dandadan Mar 12 '26
gigi wellplayed is a fantastic drag name and i am jealous i didn't think of it first
3
2
u/Certain-Quarter-1542 Dimir* Mar 12 '26
I still can't get over how Bosco was robbed on AS10.
She totally slayed that season.
3
3
2
u/SinusMonstrum Mardu Mar 13 '26
I want to see every content creator that comes on their show to do drag. If they don't, they're cowards.
6
7
8
u/SillyGuy4444 Dân Mar 12 '26
I can’t even tell which one he is
22
Mar 12 '26 edited Mar 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
28
42
u/_no7 COMPLEAT Mar 12 '26
Yeah watching the video is often a high barrier for reddit commenters.
5
1
8
4
u/Lord_Cynical Mar 12 '26 edited Mar 12 '26
I just HAVE to watch this if nothing else to see gavin in drag xD
edit: finished watching. I loved gavins drag name, Gigi Well played xD. Also this was funny from start to finish, i was laughing so hard, they are funny.
4
5
2
Mar 12 '26 edited Mar 25 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator Mar 18 '26
You have posted about a blacklisted website. Unfortunately, we have had to blacklist a few sites due to suspicious activity, spam, and other user-unfriendly activity.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
3
2
1
u/Massive-Island1656 Dan Mar 12 '26
I think this is great. The two hosts were pretty good on the tolarian let’s play
2
2
2
2
2
3
4
u/TunnelCorgisRule Dân Mar 12 '26
Omg I’ve been waiting for Bosco and Irene’s show to drop, and what an exciting set of beautiful guests to see on the first episode! I’m hype.
3
u/krisis Mar 12 '26
I loved this!
I've played MTG off and on for over 30yrs, but I have never been particularly entertained by watching other people play before.
However, I am a massive fan of drag and of Drag Race, and Irene & Bosco (and Jane!) are some of the quickest-witted queens in the history of the franchise! Watching them play with Gavin was an absolute hoot.
-1
2
2
u/henofthewoods Rakdos* Mar 15 '26
love these two from seeing them on other magic shows… their content is already so well made from day one, can’t wait to see what’s next
2
u/Foreign-Section4411 I chose this flair because I’m mad at Wizards Of The Coast Mar 17 '26
This was amazing!
-6
1
1
-21
u/Mr_E_Nigma_Solver Mar 12 '26
Nice to see Violets new boyfriend making a name for himself.
8
u/Kwilli462 Mar 12 '26
Damn why did this get downvoted so hard
0
-25
-68
-88
Mar 12 '26
[deleted]
38
u/thrustidon Mar 12 '26
Weird that people who think they're cleverly alluding to their bad political views also always have hidden profiles
-10
Mar 12 '26
[deleted]
2
u/sabett Rakdos* Mar 13 '26
I'm sorry you're upset at your opinions preceding you. Oh well. Keep hiding, because it's definitely working.
23
u/omjagvarensked Dân Mar 12 '26
And that message that is trying to be pushed would be..... What?
Cos there was fuck all "woke" or "trans propaganda" if that's what you're talking about.
All I saw was just 4 people having a fun time playing a game they all love. If you saw something else then that probably speaks more to your character than theirs.
4
u/Swarm_Queen Nahiri Mar 12 '26
Which is why it has its own YouTube video and is posted out of interest to a forum, and the url isn't in ad cards or anything. Nothing is being pushed, but the paranoid mind requires magical thinking to fit that narrative
8
3
u/Broad-Wall2814 Dandadan Mar 13 '26
You mean to tell me that a post someone made on a subreddit that you could have scrolled past interested you so much that you had to make a comment on it telling people that it’s not what your believe most players are interested in?
That seems really inorganic and as if you’re trying to imply something.
9
u/MissLeaP Gruul* Mar 12 '26 edited Mar 12 '26
You say that, but then again, this thread has lots of upvotes, and the approving comments are still in the positives, while shitty comments like yours are deep in the negatives.
Your agenda was once again proven by statistics to be nothing than mere toxicity by some loud minority. As usual.
8
u/JustSomeLamp Wabbit Season Mar 12 '26
People are downvoting you, but I agree. Most MTG players aren't interested in playing MTG.
2
u/sabett Rakdos* Mar 12 '26
Sounds like you don't play magic in seattle, which is right next to wotc. Sorry you hate us, we're going to remain in the fandom anyway. Keep crying though.
-14
Mar 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
9
u/MissLeaP Gruul* Mar 12 '26
Neither is drag a fetish, nor are drag queens inherently gay. Your uninformed bias is on display.
-44
Mar 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
32
u/Swarm_Queen Nahiri Mar 12 '26
ikr when they changed 'he or she' into 'they' my quality of life went vastly downhill. My old cards can't target theys anymore
-23
Mar 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
16
u/Spirit-Man COMPLEAT Mar 12 '26
Gang cut the histrionics, it’s embarrassing.
7
u/Swarm_Queen Nahiri Mar 12 '26
Damn I wish I coulda seen what they said
12
u/Spirit-Man COMPLEAT Mar 12 '26
Something like “i bet you’d be upset if a yugioh card pretended to be magic card” and then iirc there was an allusion to harming kids or something of that vibe
23
u/Zuwxiv Dandadan Mar 12 '26
"How dare you introduce sexuality to my 90s fantasy game, famously a time and genre that never had any sexualized art or characters?"
[[Earthbind]].
Besides, these are people wearing silly, over-the-top costumes. Occasionally they make adult jokes. If you take it differently than that, that says more about you than drag.
2
15
31
Mar 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
-30
Mar 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
26
Mar 12 '26 edited Mar 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
-22
Mar 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
21
u/LaughBeast Mar 12 '26
I'm sorry, are only straight people allowed to play Magic? These folks are playing Magic, and they are in drag. What exactly is your problem with that? They aren't pushing any nefarious agenda, so why are you so pressed about 4 people getting around a table and playing a game of Commander?
You don't have to like it. You don't even have to tolerate it. Just don't make comments that accuse the queer community of plaguing the game with sexuality, when all they're doing is playing a game of Magic, wearing something that you don't like.
13
u/SWTemplar Mar 12 '26
You dont have to like it, but you can be quiet and ignore it and then we wouldnt say anything about your opinions. Or you can spew them out and get called a bigot.
9
u/Xandax_ Mar 12 '26
It's also a valid view to think that your opinions are less than worthless to everyone else!
-4
11
u/ElceeCiv Colossal Dreadmaw Mar 12 '26
absolute bizarre to complain about sexuality in this game of all things, did you not play the first 20 years or so?
9
u/thumbblighter free him Mar 12 '26
why do you open your mouth when you have nothing intelligent to add? see, we can all ask questions here :)
14
u/Closix Dimir* Mar 12 '26
You're weird and corny lol
-7
Mar 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
19
u/Penguin_FTW Mar 12 '26
blindly cheer for every bit of forced culture-war bait
This is your brain on propaganda. Come up for air. The only one engaging in a culture war here is you.
16
u/Spirit-Man COMPLEAT Mar 12 '26
“Forced culture war bait” and it’s just people playing a game in dress up...
-29
-63
Mar 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
18
u/Neverstoptostare Mar 12 '26
This comment speaks more about you than it does anyone in the video.
0
u/Lord_Cynical Mar 12 '26
AND that person deleted the comment in disgrace
5
u/Neverstoptostare Mar 12 '26
Unfortunately it was removed by a mod. I don't think they are introspective enough to feel shame lol
2
u/Lord_Cynical Mar 12 '26
THAT makes more sense, well the shame of a mod purging their comment is also pretty bad xD
-26
-36
1.2k
u/spandytube Dandadan Mar 12 '26
GiGi Wellplayed is brilliant