Just finished reading the series Incorruptible, and now about to start the companion series Irredeemable. These are an interesting twist on the super-hero genre, where the good guy becomes the bad guy, and vice versa. Incorruptible is told from the point of view of the bad-turned-good hero, and Irredeemable is of course told from the opposite POV. Besides the concept being unique and original, the story itself was had me riveted and the end was very satisfying, in my opinion. Also, it wasn't very long, only 30 issues which translates to 7 trade paperbacks. So if I were to recommend some graphic novels for a noob, this would be one of them.
I could totally see this being made into a movie. Based on the early artwork, I keep picturing a Clive Owen as the main bad/good guy, if he could get alot more buffed up anyway.