In this seminar, we will examine self-portraits of women and nonbinary people in a wide variety of comics and poetry. From the early poems of Sappho to the newest work of Marjane Satrapi, this course will focus on each work as an act of definition. We will critically examine the comics and poems assigned in scope of broader issues facing females and nonbinary people during the time of production. How does the intersection of gender, race, class, ethnicity and sexual orientation influence the way these women and nonbinary chose to depict themselves? How is their work responding to the same forces? Placing the pieces in historical and socio-political context will give way to a nuanced examination and understanding of the power of creation as a tool against inequality. The seminar is designed to facilitate exploration, examination, evaluation, and communication. Reading and reflection is crucial to student success, as we will engage in seminar style discussions. Producing high quality, college-level writing is expected, and we will be flexing our creative muscles as well. We will examine the relationship between creating and identity in numerous examples, and come away with a better understanding our own.