Recommendations for a newbie

I have an 8 year old son and I want him to read stories that inspire the hero side of his personality. Do you guys have any recommendations of comic books that will best capture this?

He's too young for the dark side of comic books so needs to be suitable for his age.

Thanks

Marvel have a number of "Marvel Adventure" digests, which are aimed at a younger audience. Theres quite a few available, and cover most of the major players in the Marvel Universe, I've listed a few below, but there's plenty to choose from.
Marvel Adventures Avengers: Thor
Marvel Adventures Avengers: Thor/Spider-Man
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man: Tangled Web Digest

Try the "Marvel Age" series.
They're aimed at a younger audience and each issue was a complete story.
The titles include Avengers, Fantastic Four, Hulk, Iron Man & Spider-Man.
They were later relaunched as "Marvel Adventures" so try a search for both.
(If you type "Marvel Adventures" into wikipedia you'll find a list of all of the collected editions.)

In a similar style, but from DC, are the Super Friends series.
They are basically the main heroes from DC working together, characters include big names like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash & Green Lantern.
The Collected Editions I know of are:
Super Friends: For Justice!
Super Friends: Calling All Super Friends
Super Friends: Head of the Class
Super Friends: Mystery In Space

There are other books out there, but I suggested these as they feature well known, established characters, who are probably already recognisable to your son.

Batman comics in the style of recent cartoon: Batman the brave and the bold, which has him teaming up with other heroes:

All New Batman - The Brave and the Bold Vol. 1

Great fun for bat fans. Of all ages.

Totally Agree with the Batman: Brave & The Bold suggestion.
How could I have forgotten to mention that in my post.

Thanks guys - these are great suggestions. I'll get on them straight away!

They don't all have to be about superheroes. I'd highly recommend Laika. It's a graphic novel about space flight through the eyes of Laika - the first dog in space. The storytelling is superb and done expertly.

[Deleted by the author on 2 Aug 2012 17:49:35 BDT]

It seems like you have nothing good to say Mistah. The Boys is not for an 8 year old, which I'm sure you're well aware of. Even if it's in jest it's still a stupid thing to say.

oh alright then, fair point -
Heavy Manners/ Heavyweight Version

Akiko - Mark Crilley
Bone - Jeff Smith
Cardcaptor Sakura - CLAMP
Amulet (this isn't without scares but it is a children's title, I don't know how sensitive your son is but I don't think I would have had difficulty with the level of intensity at his age judging by the first volume) - Kazu Kibuishi
Astro Boy (some racial stereotyping and possible sexism) - Osamu Tezuka
Korgi
The Secret Science Alliance
W.I.T.C.H.