Great issue! The recognition of Octavius's brilliance, Reed's handling of Octavius and the Spider-Man billboard triggering him into full Dr Octopus mode (giving us a wonderful Mr Fantastic Dr Octpus fight) and then ending on that sad note of a failed mission. Wow!

And, Gerry, don't believe I saw that thread of yours at the time... so allow me to offer a wee bit belated condolances to you and yours.

Odd thing about the mail on this one was the number of letters from readers assuming the death of Reed and Sue's baby was a last minute decision. Perhaps their thinking was informed by what was by then becoming known about the genesis of X-MEN 137, but it struck me as odd that anyone would think I would invest so much time in the story only to "change course" at the last moment.

I remember reading this for the first time as a teenager. The ending hit me pretty hard even then. Now that I'm a father, it's even more heart-wrenching.

And Gerry, I also missed that thread last year. So let me offer my condolences and prayers to you and your family.

Intended surprises are usually better when they are actually coming out as surprises.

It's like with some film critics who sometimes reveal spoilers or at the very least offer something up like, "well the surprise ending is a good twist" which obviously puts you in a certain frame of mind when watching the film (or reading book, comic, whatever).
(An aside: I still think the most surprising ending M. Night Shyamalan could have in any upcoming film of his, would be a standard, Hollywood ending. Nobody would see that one coming, while they wait for the twist)