Where do I start?

I've always been fascinated and partially obsessed with super heroes and comics. Now that I got some Borders gift cards (small town far removed from decent comic shops) I finally have access to a whole lot of comics and graphic novels, I'm feeling overwhelmed. Where should I start? Which graphic novels should I buy? Etc. Etc.

Just finished "Marvels" and "Identity Crisis" and loved them both. . .

what company you want to check?

what type of things/characters do you prefer?

I prefer Marvel, but don't mind DC.

I like pretty much everything. Hated Watchmen, Leauge of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and didn't mind V as much. . .

Curious about some of the more artsy independants.

Buy some DD.

i get anything with the xmen or xbooks in it thats me though, im a mutant fanatic!

try the new Blue Beetle series, it's about to end so you probably will want to try the tps from the beginning

For truly super superheroes I would try out the team books, Avengers, JLA, that kinda thing. You might want to check out Annihilation, it was incredible.

Marvel has alot of new series starting up that should be easy to jump into right now.

Dark Avengers
Agents of Atlas
War Machine
The Punisher
Secret Warriors
Black Panther

Some series are changing their line ups and would be a decent place to jump in as well:
Mighty Avengers
New Avengers
Thunderbolts

If you're just getting started I'd go with some self-contained story-arc trades (usually around 20 bones apiece). My recs would be...