Here's a good vlog on the art of Maus:
How to design a comic book page
As for graphic novels, some that I like are:
The Quest for the Time Bird
Transformers - Last Stand of the Wreckers
Asterix (any of them)
100 Bullets
Bone
We3
The Boys
Goon (any of them)
Rising Stars
Madame Mirage (90's schtick with female lead. I love it)
Happy (get in on the ground floor before the TV show is released)
I second:
Saga
Mouse Guard
Fables
Sex Criminals
I really didn't like Y - the last man, for reasons that I won't mention due to the potential to spoil or influence opinions, however it is worth the read.
Another one that I think doesn't live up to the hype is The Watchmen, however it's one you should read for the sake of comics and understanding it as an entertainment medium.