I have tried a few manga books in the past and they were just OK but they weren't what I exactly wanted.  I want a fantasy geared series.  No graphic novels.  I know you guys know your stuff so recommend away and thanks in advance!!  Language/sex/violence doesn't bother me. 

Record of Lodoss War series might be a good start. However, they are old enough that finding them might be a problem.

Any more definite "yes" or "no" in regards to fantasy?

I highly recommend XxxHolic, by Clamp. But not sure if that is the kind of fantasy you want.

Urban fantasy, dark fantasy, epic/high fantasy, medieval fantasy, steampunk, magic - these are the types I like.  Thanks.

Check out girlgeniusonline.com  

They have books too, but they don't show up on PBS.  :P   It's a good series, though!

I'm totally going to second Derrick's rec for XxxHolic, by CLAMP.  It's a very good supernatural fantasy manga series.  It also crosses over sometimes with CLAMP's Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE series (high/epic fantasy - world hopping), which is also pretty good but might be kind of confusing if you're new, since it's a humongous crossover series (references a bunch of different manga by CLAMP).

You may also want to check out other stuff by CLAMP, like Tokyo Babylon, X/1999, RG Veda, and Cardcaptor Sakura.

Otherwise, I've liked these?
Basara (set in arabia-like fantasy world)
Death Note (urban supernatural horror)
Vampire Game (high fantasy)
Please Save My Earth (urban fantasy/science fiction/reincarnation)
After School Nightmare (urban fantasy/supernatural)
Fairy Cube (urban fantasy)
Pet Shop of Horrors (urban fantasy/supernatural horror)
Nighmare Inspector: Yumekui Kenbun (urban fantasy/supernatural)
Suikoden III: The Successor of Fate (high fantasy - based on video game)
Fushigi Yugi and Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden (set mostly in fantasy world like ancient China)
Hibiki's Magic (Very cute series, but also surprisingly sad.  Ditto Fruits Basket and Magical x Miracle.)

I've also heard that 07-Ghost and Pandora Hearts are good, though I haven't read them yet myself.

If you're willing to look into novels that inspired very good anime series, I highly recommend The Twelve Kingdoms and Scrapped Princess.  (Those are regular novel series, though, not manga.)

Hope this helps some!

I'm new to manga, too.  Ordered a few from PBS on a whim and now I'm hooked!  I'll be looking into these recommendations, as well.  Just wanted to throw in my two cents:  I'll second the recommendation for "Death Note".  Absolutely fantastic story, and so far my favorite manga title.

Ah, but you're looking for fantasy...  I haven't read much fantasy manga.  Lodoss War is on my Wish List (I heard it was top-notch).  Steer clear of "Magic Knights: Rayearth" unless you like a lot of annoying, cutesy dialog.

I really like "Ragnarok", though I might be in the minority there.  Just be aware that there is very little actual Norse mythology in the story.

Yu-Gi-Oh! is a good one if you haven't been ruined by the horrid 4Kids anime version.  Lots of Egyptian mythology in the Duelist series.

Oh My Goddess! is a feel good modern fantasy. Loser boy gets a goddess as his girlfriend. Really GOOD storyline, long and still going. I can't recommend it enough...

Incidentally, "Ragnarok" is Korean as opposed to Japanese.  Doesn't make any difference to me, but some people are very adamant about making a distinction between Korean manga and Japanese manga.  (Or really, Japanese manga and manga originating from anywhere else.)

Yeah. Manga is japanese. Manwha is korean, and there is another title for Chinese. It is different...

Wow.  Thanks for all of the suggestions but Derrick I'm afraid I have been ruined by the kids version of Yu-Gi-Oh!    My son used to watch that show and play the card game. 

Ah, I didn't realize it was called something else depending on which country it comes from.  Of course, it only makes sense that every country would have a word for "comics" in their own language...

Is there a good "primer" website out there on the basics of manga/manwha?  Wikipedia isn't that great and tokyopop.com and manga.com don't really have any discussion on the history, artistic styles/differences, etc.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.  I have several coming to me.  I have Fruits Basket, Death Note and Cardcaptor Sakura on their way.  Can't wait to see how they all are.

Oooooh, Death Note. Probably my TOP manga. Next is One Piece...

Is there a good "primer" website out there on the basics of manga/manwha?  Wikipedia isn't that great and tokyopop.com and manga.com don't really have any discussion on the history, artistic styles/differences, etc.

http://www.mania.com/aodvb/

This is a forum I used to frequent. Don't know if it qualifies as a "primer", but it has a LOT of info. and lots of people who know lots of things :-D

Vampire Knight is excellent if you like fantasy romance.

If you are into gothic fantasy you might try Godchild.