welcome to the addiction Crazyrcer!
First of all.....lemme refer you to some good initial reading...ground school if you will:
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?id=17
Hope Ed doesn't mind me beating him to the punch referencing his own article
Second....I would find a field and local hobby shop where local flyers are. Take your time getting into this hobby! A rushed decision might lead to an ill advised purchase and might tarnish your view of the hobby. Keep in mind that flyers tend to be passionate about their experiences with planes they have flown and will not hesitate to recommend for/against planes they might not have ANY experience with. For example, I started with electrics. Less expensive, quiter, and generally more relaxing. But that statement is made having never flown Gas powered planes.
I imagine the increased thrust to weight ratio makes for fantastic flying. And while I have had tons of success and countless hours flying my Aerobird Challenger, there are many who could recount stories of failed flights. Difference maker for me: I found a guy locally that flew electrics and he was gracious enough to help me with my first 3 flights. From there, I found the local club and have been able to continue to learn from the generous fellas who fly @ my local field. All of this has helped me get further and further into this hobby.
As far as beginner planes. There are numerous electric beginner planes that might work for you. There are alot of variables that go into the decision: how much are you willing to spend? Where are you going to fly it? Are you going to attempt to teach your self? I think that would give folks in here a better idea of what they might recommend.
As for my recommendations. Electrics. I would say get a 2 or 3 channel plane first. Something with good dihedral and a high wing design. Characteristics shared by the planes Wolfewind mentioned above. Many people have taught themselves with varying degrees of success how to fly with those planes. Another plane that you will find receives alot of recognition, and for good reason, is the Slow Stik. Dang plane basically flies itself. But I will leave owners of those planes to explain the details.
Good luck! Hope I was a help!
-Sumo