The end freakin rocked. Sanji's part of him saying he was #1 was hilarious. And the last spread just awesome. I agree. The first pages sucked.
Also, look at usopp's staff. That's one big slingshot he has there. Wonder if it's a permanent change of weapon. Though it seems everyone has an improvement in their weapons/fighting skills. We haven't seen Zoro's, Sanji's or Chopper's yet. But I bet they do.
And Luffy has a lot of awesome lines in this arc. First:
Marines: Said something about there being thousands of marines in Enies Lobby.
Luffy: And I'm alone. Get out of my way!!
Then...
Luffy: you can say die you want to die!! It doesn't matter!!!....But things like that&.you should say it when youre with us!!!...Now leave it all to us.