When probably one of the bigger plot points is that Sue's getting yet another hairstyle, I think even Byrne knew it was time to walk away.

Over dozens of issues, he'd broken the Fantastic Four, then reassembled them again, severely powering up Invisible Girl (and in the process, upgrading her to Invisible Woman) and bringing in a welcome change there. It was likely his most significant contribution to the series.

On the other hand, he ditched the Thing and swapped him out with She-Hulk, which would have been okay for a few issues, but she really overstayed her welcome. Then he gave away Thing's longstanding girlfriend to Johnny Storm.

At least, through it all, there were some—if you'll pardon the pun—fantastic stories, even if they did weight a touch heavily toward Dr. Doom.

Still, for all of that, it was a hell of a run, but I just wish it had gone out on a high, instead of more of a "meh". ( )