So pictures of Suri Cruise finally surfaced in Vanity Fair almost five months after her birth, April 18. Hmmm. When one thinks of proud and doting fathers the image of hiding one's child from the world for several months doesn't usually come to mind. But only Cruise and Holmes know the real reasons why they chose to keep Miss Cute As Can Be Suri out of the limelight till now.

In light of Cruise's celebrity, perhaps he and Holmes were concerned about the child's privacy and safety. But if that were the case you probably wouldn't want to publish pictures of the tot in a major magazine that are then broadcast to millions around the world. Or, the couple could have kept Suri missing in action because of Scientology beliefs about maintaining calm around children. One never knows, do one?

However, there are those industry wags who ponder the timing of the events – and as any actor worth his salt will tell you, timing is everything. Suri was born within 24 hours of Brooke Shields' second baby girl, Grier. Ironic when you consider the whole brouhaha between Cruise and Shields over his criticism of her taking antidepressants for post-partum depression after the birth of her first child.

Mayhap Cruise didn't want the obvious comparisons that would have been made between Suri and Grier to mar her coming out, as it were, so the family decided to wait till a more opportune time. And what more opportune time than after Cruise has been publicly – and rudely – dismissed from his long-time deal with Paramount Pictures, complete with tongue-lashing by mogul at the top Sumner Redstone. The perfect spin control for Cruise's visibility and viability would be to take the onus off of Cruise, the actor, and put it on Cruise, the doting dad. And how about that apology to Brooke just the week before the pics of Suri were to surface? Coincidink? I think not. Timing, timing, timing...

So how does Tom stack up thus far to Hollywood's other favorite new papa of late, Brad Pitt? Check it out to see what – if anything – they have in common besides being first-time dads of their biological offspring. Obviously, one thing they don't have in common anymore is deals at Paramount, which Pitt's production company still calls home.

Pix of Tom Cruise		Pix of Brad Pitt
Tom Dad Age: 43 First Biological Child: Suri Cruise, born April 18		Brad Dad Age: 42 First Biological Child: Shiloh Pitt, born May 27
Baby's Momma: Katie Holmes, age 27		Baby's Momma: Angelina Jolie, age 30
Previous Dad Experience: Became InstaDad with ex-wife Nicole Kidman, by adopting two children, Connor and Isabella.		Previous Dad Experience: Became InstaDad upon falling for Jolie, by legally taking on her two adopted children, Maddox and Zahara
During Pregnancy: Cruise often seen not by Holmes side, as she's accompanied by his family and Scientology cronies while he promotes "Mission: Impossible III" around the globe right up to the imminent arrival of baby.		During Pregnancy: Pitt rarely not seen by Jolie's side, accompanying her around the globe on her ambassadorial duties. Cancelled plans to attend Cannes Film Festival to tout his latest film because of "imminent arrival" of baby.
Birth Bedside Manner: Cruise reportedly was on hand recording the birth, done in complete quiet according to Scientology beliefs.		Birth Bedside Manner: Pitt reportedly was on hand and cut Shiloh's umbilical cord after her birth by caesarean section.
Baby's First Photos: Cruise and Holmes charged nothing for Vanity Fair to show the first photos of Suri almost five months after her birth.		Baby's First Photos: Pitt and Jolie charged some $4 million for People Magazine to show the first photos of Shiloh at three weeks old.
Baby's First Public Outing: At four months old, Suri reportedly surfaces with Mom and Dad at a party given by Cruise and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.		Baby's First Public Outing: At 11 days old, Shiloh surfaces with Mom and Dad at a press conference in Namibia where she was born.
Baby's Impact: Since becoming a first time biological father, Cruise has embraced business as usual. Days after Suri's birth, he went back out to publicize "MI:3." Now he's stepped up his efforts to attend to his waning popularity and faltering career, particularly in the light of Paramount's recent dismissal.		Baby's Impact: Since becoming a father, Pitt has embraced "the responsibility of putting your life second, your job is to show this little one around the world." He's stepped up his philanthropic efforts for AIDS and poverty stricken children around the world.