Dawn Best

Dawn Marie Best-Eshleman is an American artist, game designer and author, known for her work in the Archie Comics. She is currently a freelance artist, author, and software developer.

Comic work

After being hired at the age of 19, Best became one of Archie's youngest creators. Her first issue of ''Sonic'' was issue #101. She has appeared as both guest and attendee of conventions. In addition, she holds annual charity auctions of original artwork.

She has contributed to several other graphic novels, both as an artist and a writer; including web serials ''Sylvanna'' and ''Heißdampfreaktor''. In 2010, she began writing her first graphic novel series, ''VARULV.'' The latter became the premier comic book released by her own Gloryhound Network, in February 2011.

In 2012, she created a limited printed-edition of her serial ''Daemonology'' under the name ''Gloryhound''. In 2013, ''Sylvanna'' was also added to the roster after a joint-effort between her and ''Sonic'' writer, Ian Flynn. It was successfully funded via Kickstarter in one night, eventually reaching double its original goal.

Best cited Patrick Spaziante, one of her peers who highly influenced her work, especially while she was working for Archie Comics. Other influencing figures include Joe Madureira, J. Scott Campbell, and Mike Deodato.

Game Development

As of 2015, Best has served as Creative Director for EVOLV Games and has produced two titles for the company. She was responsible for the artwork as well as server-side programming on ''Age of the Four Clans'', a small-scale online role-playing game released in 2016. Another title, Harmonic Odyssey: The Five Gods is in development with a projected release date of Q4 2021. A demo of ''Harmonic'' was released in Q4 2019, and Best was responsible for artwork, musical score, writing, and programming duties on the title.

Activism

Best's family with ties to the United States Armed Forces; her father, brother, grandparents and uncle have all served in various branches. Consequently, in 2002, Best held her first auction of original art in support of the Fisher House, to which she still contributes till date. In recent years, she has been outspoken about the high cost of a college education versus its necessity for young artists, and has marketed the Gloryhound brand around this mantra.Career Zoo Interview: Dawn Best
courtes
The Career Zoo
/ref> An ordained minister, Best's personal causes often revolve around supporting LGBT marriage equality and suicide prevention, especially among LGBT youths. Many of her original art auctions also support these efforts.

Personal life

Best resides in rural Pennsylvania and is married to a musician, Matthew Eshleman. The couple have one daughter.

References

External links

Dawn Best's Artstation Page

Harmonic Odyssey: The Five Gods

Age of the Four Clans

Sylvanna.net

Dawn Best's deviantART Page

{{DEFAULTSORT:Best, Dawn
American female comics artists
Living people
Year of birth missing (living people)