Java is a very straight forward language to start with, if you are already familiar with an imperative C sytle language. The deep issues are not specifically language related, but more broadly related to Statically (and strongly) typed, Single inheritance, OO languages.
I also humbly disagree with my Java brethren here and recommend that you learn to the basics using a text editor and the command line. That is were the specific gotchas of the JVM are most prominent.
Remember the most important distinction between Java and other languages: Java is both a language AND a platform.
You'll need to understand the notion of a classpath; the relationship between logical package structure and its (analogous) embodiment in the file system.
What will typing 'java', 'javac', etc. do when typed in the command line? Learn the fundamentals.
IDEs will completely paper over these fundamental issues of the Java platform.
I also recommend, if you are up to it, to read the Java language specification and (yes) the JVM specification. Make sure you grok classloaders and related issues when you begin your journey in Java if Mastery is what you are after.
