Comic Books and Gambling Make Strange Bed Fellows

Most anyone who has been involved with sports betting or internet poker in the last few years has heard of BoDog. This self described "entertainment empire" was originally formed in Costa Rica by a Canadian citizen named Calvin Ayre. With holdings ranging from gambling to a private music label to a mixed martial arts fighting brand, the BoDog empire is diverse to say the least. The BoDog brand's newest endeavor, a comic book series, could very well revive parts of founder Calvin Ayre's past that he would prefer the world forget.

While the BoDog brand has been affiliated with a large number of entertainment based businesses, the most recent was a surprise even to those who follow the company's movements closely. In a public press release issued by the company yesterday, BoDog founder Calvin Ayre announced that the company will begin publishing a series of comic books about BoDog and it's key players.

Preferring to refer to the comic books as graphic novels, BoDog has lined up some of the best talent available to produce the BoDog comic book series. by top comic talents Adam Slutsky, Shawn Martinbrough and Joseph Phillip Illidge. The comic books will depict BoDog founder Calvin Ayre, as well as others who are affiliated with the BoDog brand, as heroes sent to rescue the world from the forces of evil.

Calvin Ayre notes, "When Adam first presented the idea we were excited by its uniqueness and fit with the Bodog brand. As we developed the concept with him, it's taken on its own life and will be a fantastic addition to the Bodog Entertainment family, both as a graphic novel and in other formats to come. Plus, I've always wanted to be a comic book hero. Who hasn't?"

However, critics of Ayre are quick to point out that comic book fables and reality are completely unrelated, particularly in terms of casting Ayre in the role of a hero. Ayre's own history has been described as shady by some, and scandalous by others, leaving some of BoDog's leading nemesis' to claim that, if anything, the comic books should feature Ayre as the villain.