C++: Where to initialize variables in constructor

Possible Duplicate:
C++ initialization lists

What are the pros/cons of initializing variables at option 1 vs option 2?

class MyClass
{
public:
    MyClass( float f, char a );
private:
    float mFloat;
    char mCharacter;
    bool mBoolean;
    int mInteger;
};

MyClass::MyClass( float f, char a ) : mFloat( f ), mBoolean( true ) // option 1.
{
    // option 2
    mCharacter = a;
    mInteger = 0;
}

Edit: Why is option 2 so common?