The Marvel Universe

Now I'm not a huge comic geek or anything(although some times I wish I was, comic geek seem to be in vogue right now) but I do enjoy a good graphic novel.
I only began reading them a few years back when I purchased The Crow, the graphic novel that spawned the movie. This was an awesome book and set the flame burning. Since then I've read a few books each from the 100 bullets series and a few from the Preacher series, plus some Frank miller stuff and also some Kevin Smith books(I am a Kevin Smith Geek)
I'd never really got into the whole super hero thing though, I love Batman but he's not a superhero. Then some one at work started bring in Marvel comics to read. I didn't think they could be as dark or engaging as the adult oriented books I'd been reading. I couldn't have been more wrong. Marvel is doing some awesome stuff right now with some of the best art work I've ever seen. 2 series stand out for me from what I've read so far. The Ultimates series and the Civil War series which has just started.
The Ultimates is brilliant bringing what I believed to be tired and outdated superheros like Captain America right back into the 21st century. The art is great and the story is gripping. They're all amazingly paced and keep you gripped and wanting more at the end.
The Civil war story arc which I said just started is looking to be awesome. All the well known and not so well known Superheros are there and split down the middle. Captain America leading one side Iron man leading the other and leading them to what looks like one big ass super hero fight. It's so exciting. If you're the least bit interested in comics or graphic novels I urge you to try some of the new Marvel stuff. It's amazing.