Yes it is all very confusing. So you have at least made a choice of buying a DSLR camera
Regarding the magazines there's almost as much choice as DLSR's!!.I jest of course.
I take on a casual purchase of magazines and have tried most when a particular review or artical interests me.
The two Mag's I find interesting for myself are Amateur Photographer which is published every week and the other one which I think may be of interest to yourself is "What Digital Camera" and is published monthly.
The WDC has a short list (Street price,Pro's & Con's,size etc) appendix at the back.Its a starting point though.
I think first of all you must decide on your budget,its very easy to be persuaded to spend a lot of money for very little return.This is especially true when you are buying you first DLSR.
There are virtually no high street outlets that stock all of the range of DLSR's.
You will find web outlets that have a vast stock which is fine for buying but you can't try so you must make your mind up first before going down this route.
John Lewis mid week will let you play with the Nikon,Canon.Olympus,Sony and the Panasonic Lumix (Avoid weekends its too busy) This way you can see if the buttons are to your liking,weight & size etc.
At least you can then decide which camera is comfortable to you.
Regarding the types of pictures you are likely to take or specialise in taking will then depend on what Lens you purchase.Most manufacturers will do a "Kit" which includes the camera body plus a Zoom Lens.
Purchasing this way would give you the Lens at half price if you had purchased the two items separately.
If you give a little more info on this I'm sure you will get some more advice on the type of lens that would be suitable.
As I said you will know your budget and and it will be very difficult to stick to that once you start looking at the range of facilities that DLSR cameras offer if you are not strong-minded.
Probably the best bargains may be had "After Christmas"
Brian