If you're going for a drawing tablet, get what I plan on getting: A Wacon Intuos3. It's the best on the market, and the most expensive, but well worth it. You must also want to around at what some comic strips use.
I forget the name of the tablet Fred Gallagher (artist of Megatokyo) draws on -- Megatokyo is drawn on paper, so is his Warmth series, but he has a tablet... With his eye for general detail, I'd trust his judgement on brand more than my own.
And you totally beat me hands down with it comes to mouse drawing. I hate you.

"On Earth I shall guard. In Heaven I shall fight. For Hell I shall rule." - The Ethereal Prophecy, Blood Guardians Novel
"Oh my god! My pee is red! ...Mmm, punch flavored..." - Zephie-chan