Lynn Varley

Lynn Varley is an American comic book colorist best known for her vivid, painterly work on several landmark projects with her former husband, writer/artist Frank Miller. Born in the United States, she entered the industry in the early 1980s and quickly made her mark by bringing a lush, atmospheric palette to Miller’s bold black-and-white linework. Varley’s most celebrated collaborations include the futuristic samurai epic *Ronin*, the historical battle saga *300*, and the *Sin City* series, particularly *Hell and Back*. Her coloring on *Batman: The Dark Knight Returns* helped define the gritty, noir-infused look of modern superhero comics, though she is also credited on the Danish-language *Batman: Nattens ridder*. Varley’s style—characterized by deep, moody tones and a cinematic sense of light—set a new standard for comic book coloring in the 1980s and 1990s. She worked primarily with Miller, but her influence extends through the many artists who sought to emulate her textured, watercolor-like effects. After a period of relative quiet, Varley remains active in the industry as of 2026, with over 130 credited issues. Her contributions have been recognized with several industry awards, including Eisner Awards for her work on *300* and *Sin City*, cementing her legacy as a pioneering colorist.