Lynn Varley
Encyclopedia
Lynn Varley is an award-winning colorist
, notable for her collaborations with her former husband, comic book
writer/artist Frank Miller
, whom she divorced in 2005.
that proved that comics in unusual formats could be commercially successful, and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
(1986), a four issue mini-series that went on to become a commercial and critical success. In a special edition, Miller notes that Varley was also the one who helped create the futuristic slang
that Carrie Kelly and other characters use.
Subsequently, Varley colored other Miller books, including Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again
, 300, Elektra Lives Again
, and Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot
(with Geoff Darrow). She also colored the backgrounds for the 300 movie
(2007), produced by Miller.
, the Eisner Award
, and the Comics Buyer's Guide
Awards for Favorite Colorist. (She also won the CBG award in 1986 and 2000.)
Colorist
In comics, a colorist is responsible for adding color to black-and-white line art. For most of the 20th century this was done using brushes and dyes which were then used as guides to produce the printing plates...
, notable for her collaborations with her former husband, comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
writer/artist Frank Miller
Frank Miller (comics)
Frank Miller is an American comic book artist, writer and film director best known for his dark, film noir-style comic book stories and graphic novels Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300...
, whom she divorced in 2005.
Biography
Varley provided the coloring for Miller's Ronin (1984), an experimental six-issue series from DC ComicsDC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
that proved that comics in unusual formats could be commercially successful, and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is a four-issue comic book limited series written and drawn by Frank Miller, originally published by DC Comics under the title Batman: The Dark Knight in 1986. When the issues were released in a collected edition later that year, the story title for the first issue...
(1986), a four issue mini-series that went on to become a commercial and critical success. In a special edition, Miller notes that Varley was also the one who helped create the futuristic slang
Slang
Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...
that Carrie Kelly and other characters use.
Subsequently, Varley colored other Miller books, including Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again
Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again
Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again is a Batman mini-series by Frank Miller with Lynn Varley. It is a sequel to Miller's 1986 miniseries, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.-Overview:...
, 300, Elektra Lives Again
Elektra Lives Again
Elektra Lives Again is a 1990 graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley that was published through the Marvel Comics imprint Epic Comics. It is a spin-off from Miller's run on Daredevil and tells the story of the return of Ninja warrior Elektra from death...
, and Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot
Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot
The Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot is a 1995 comic book written by Frank Miller, drawn by Geof Darrow and published by Dark Horse Comics...
(with Geoff Darrow). She also colored the backgrounds for the 300 movie
300 (film)
300 is a 2007 American fantasy action film based on the 1998 comic series of the same name by Frank Miller. It is a fictionalized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae. The film was directed by Zack Snyder, while Miller served as executive producer and consultant...
(2007), produced by Miller.
Awards
Varley has received recognition in the comics industry, particularly in 1999, when she won the Harvey AwardHarvey Award
The Harvey Awards, named for writer-artist Harvey Kurtzman and founded by Gary Groth, President of the publisher Fantagraphics, are given for achievement in comic books. The Harveys were created as part of a successor to the Kirby Awards which were discontinued after 1987.The Harvey Awards are...
, the Eisner Award
Eisner Award
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
, and the Comics Buyer's Guide
Comics Buyer's Guide
Comics Buyer's Guide , established in 1971, is the longest-running English-language periodical reporting on the American comic book industry...
Awards for Favorite Colorist. (She also won the CBG award in 1986 and 2000.)