Mars is better than Venus.

Why oh why is GQ so vastly superior to comparable women's magazines? Let me count the ways...

1. It's funny.  I've never picked up a copy of Vogue or Harpers Bazaar and laughed out loud at an article or feature (unless it was "how ridiculous" laughter).  It's like all of the women who work there are so undernourished that it's deprived their brains of the capacity to process humor.  GQ is consistently funny, so much so that I'm constantly turning to B. on the couch to say "Did you read this???" which he undoubtedly finds either a) annoying because he hasn't read it yet or b) annoying because he has and yes, obviously he thought it was funny too.  My point is that the stuff is so funny that you can't keep it to yourself.

2.  It's comprehensive.  While Vogue and the like tend to focus only on clothes, accessories and beauty products, GQ hits all the high points: technology, home design, travel, culture (usually of the pop- versus high- variety) and Alan Richman's food writing is sublime.  The articles are well written and don't feel like they were created by some socialite who "writes for Vogue" to fill the hours between her blowouts and charity fundraisers.

3.  It's stylish.  GQ has embraced the list to good effect.  Clean graphic design, top notch photography.  While women's magazines can also do some interesting things with design, GQ's seems to enhance the readability of the issue; it's not gimmicky.

4.  It's quirky and has a point of view.  The staff writers' personalities shine through, and after a few issues, you feel like you know them (like an old ex-boyfriend that you occasionally regret breaking up with).  Glenn O'Brien is the Style Guy, a monthly column that "solves your sartorial conundrums."  Questions from wearing white (Alexander McQueen!) jeans in winter to the appropriateness of a sleeve tattoo peeking out at work.  Now admittedly, women's fashion is much more mercurial, with fewer rules; I'm not sure you could even do a Style Gal.  But I'd sure like to see someone try.

5.  It's smart.  Don't let the sometimes hootchie cover photos of women fool you; GQ is a publication that does not insult your intelligence, whatever your gender.  (And let's be honest, Jennifer Anniston looks good in that tie...)

So I urge all you ladies out there to get yourself a subscription.  Say it's a late Christmas present for your boyfriend or husband, but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts you'll be reading each issue cover to cover and wishing they'd start a "sister" publication.