Anime has been getting more popular in the US and I want to try the manga source material. Never read any manga before. Where should I start? I like sci-fi, action, and psychological thriller.

Also — do you read them right to left? That seems confusing.

Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo. The definitive gateway manga. Sci-fi, action, incredible art. You'll be hooked immediately. And yes, right to left — you get used to it in about 10 minutes.

Ghost in the Shell for cyberpunk/sci-fi. Berserk for dark fantasy (warning: extremely violent). Death Note for psychological thriller — the mind games between Light and L are incredible.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by Miyazaki. The manga is even better than the movie. Ecological sci-fi at its finest.