What would be a good cruiser to get for a first bike?

I've never ridden before but my friends and my dad has a motorcycle. I'm thinking about getting into it and was wandering what bikes I should be looking at. I definitely want a cruiser and I like the black look that kinda sits low. My friend got a Harley Iron 883 a couple years ago and I kinda like that look. I just saw the Honda Shadow Phantom and I also like the way it looks. Any other recommendations would be appreciated as far as looks and the amount of power it should have. I don't plan on going real fast or anything but I just hear of people buying their first bike with not much power then when the get more comfortable riding they wish they had gotten something bigger.