There are comics to suit every literary taste. Understanding Comics, by Scott McCloud, is an examination of the medium in the form of a comic. Maus, by Art Spiegelman, is a dual memoir of holocaust survival and the creation of the book itself. Both are widely translated and available in public libraries.

You could use the Eisner Awards as a source of recommendations. Read the blurbs and preview pages of the winners and nominees, and select the book or series that appeals to you the most. For example, Ballad for Sophie was a recent highlight for me, and was nominated for four Eisner Awards.