‘Fables’ is excellent :D

Others my favourites:

Alan Moore, ‘V for Vendetta’

Alan Moore, ‘League of extraordinary gentlemen’

Alan Moore, ‘Watchmen’

Neil Gaiman, ‘Sandman’(series, but packed into albums)

Frank Miller, ‘Give me liberty’

Mike Mignola, ‘Hellboy’ (series)

Masamune Shirow, ‘Ghost in the shell’

Yukito Kishiro, ‘Battle angel Alita’ (series)

If you're gonna include manga, Miyazaki's 'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind' needs to be at the top of the list.

Add to the list

Frank Miller's Ronin

Transmetropolitan. Basically cross Hunter S Thompson and Futurama. The blackest of black comedies. Likely to be a love/hate kind of thing... but it's one of the books that opened my eyes to what a non-superhero comic could be.

I've only ever dabbled in caped heroes, so most (if not all) of what I listed is what you're looking for although Saga deserves special mention. I'd consider The Sandman (sadly DC) a must read. It takes a volume or two to really find its footing but none of it is bad. Something Is Killing the Children is good too.

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.

"Arzach" by Mœbius. "The Incal" by same and Jodorowsky.

Jodorowsky's worlds are a delight to read as are his films very unusual visuals in both.