One approach for getting into things is to read the Ultimate series, which rebooted a lot of plotlines and characters into "start from here, it all makes sense" versions. The issue there is that they're sometimes really different from their 616 (Normal) versions.
Another possible good way to approach it is to pick up one of the younger series. (As in, focusing on teenagers.) They're recent and they focus on new characters without a ton of backstory to read, but they interact with others in the universe. You can slowly become more familiar with the Marvelverse through their eyes.
The recommended series there would be:
Young Avengers (Avengers focus) New X-Men: Academy X (X-Men focus) Runaways (general Marvelverse focus)
They're listed in descending order of the canon familiarity you'd need to pick up on what's going on. Runaways, set over in *gasp* LOS ANGELES, is quite separated from the typically NY-centric Marvel books. Flipside, Young Avengers focuses on these new characters but rolls around in references to long-time characters right from the very first issue.
I like all three books quite a lot, but ran a tabletop RP set in the Academy X setting and so have a bias toward that. Warning, if you pick up some of the Academy X graphic novels: it starts with a good artist, abruptly gets a HORRIBLE one, and then it's fine again. Just stick it out past that godawful issue or two, it does get better. Runaways and YA are pretty much always solid on art.
And since you mentioned an interest in the gay issues, all three series do have LGBT themes in theme, with out characters. (Either immediately or eventually.)
no subject
Another possible good way to approach it is to pick up one of the younger series. (As in, focusing on teenagers.) They're recent and they focus on new characters without a ton of backstory to read, but they interact with others in the universe. You can slowly become more familiar with the Marvelverse through their eyes.
The recommended series there would be:
Young Avengers (Avengers focus)
New X-Men: Academy X (X-Men focus)
Runaways (general Marvelverse focus)
They're listed in descending order of the canon familiarity you'd need to pick up on what's going on. Runaways, set over in *gasp* LOS ANGELES, is quite separated from the typically NY-centric Marvel books. Flipside, Young Avengers focuses on these new characters but rolls around in references to long-time characters right from the very first issue.
I like all three books quite a lot, but ran a tabletop RP set in the Academy X setting and so have a bias toward that. Warning, if you pick up some of the Academy X graphic novels: it starts with a good artist, abruptly gets a HORRIBLE one, and then it's fine again. Just stick it out past that godawful issue or two, it does get better. Runaways and YA are pretty much always solid on art.
And since you mentioned an interest in the gay issues, all three series do have LGBT themes in theme, with out characters. (Either immediately or eventually.)