Your first guitar will go a long way towards dictating all future purchases and playing styles. Eg. if you go with a Fender/Gibson you will get used to the thicker necks and 21/22 frets with no whammy bar. Nothing wrong with those guitars, I've owned a Gibson LP Goldtop and played a Fender Strat in a metal band back in the 90's. My first guitar was a Jackson Charvel so my preference has always been slim, fast 24 fret necks with floating trem systems - now I favour Ibanez but also like Dean, Ernie Ball Music Man, Jackson and ESP.
If you like metal and/or fast playing I recommend a good second hand Ibanez RG series. Excellent guitars and they are very flexible, at the end of the day you can play whatever you want on them - blues, country, shred, punk - the 'tone' comes from the pickups at the end of the day. My advice is to stay away from the crazy shapes (Flying V, Warlock, Iron Bird, Explorer etc) for you first axe - those guitars are more suited to experienced players for live situations (because they look cool) - too hard to play sitting down though, especially if you are just starting out.
How much you thinking of spending?