Imagine a story conveyed effectively through both pictures and words. With so many to choose from, I recommend starting with one of these poignant titles, which are similar to contemporary dramatic fiction.

Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi
The author of the acclaimed memoir Persepolis, which details Satrapi’s girlhood in Iran, now takes a unique perspective on Iranian women’s sexuality. This frank, funny and revealing discussion among female relatives focuses on love, marriage, changes in societal expectations, virginity, satisfaction, and keeping up appearances.

Stuck Rubber Baby: a novel by Howard Cruse
A young man is caught in the civil rights movement and entrenched homophobia of small-town America.

Summer Blonde: four stories by Adrian Tomine
From one of the best writers under thirty come these often controversial stories of desperate weirdos looking for love.

Tricked by Alex Robinson
This true-to-life relationship drama brings seemingly unconnected lives together with an act of violence.

War’s End: Profiles from Bosnia 1995-1996 by Joe Sacco
In two short stories, war-zone correspondent Sacco captures characters from each side of the crossfire in Bosnia. “Soba” features a Sarajevo artist-warrior and “Christmas with Karadzic” focuses on Sacco’s pursuit of a Bosnian Serb war criminal.  An earlier book, Safe Area Gorazde, covers 1992-1995.