So I am wanting to catch up on all the classic X-Men stories post Giant Size X-Men #1. I picked up the Uncanny X-men Marvel Masterworks volumes 1-3 and just finished reading volume 2, so I am well into the Phoenix Saga. My basic goal is to read all (or most) of the issues up into volume 2 in the early 90s. So these are the trades I am planning on getting and wanted to see if there is anything major I might be missing:

Marvel Masterworks Volumes 4-8

X-Men: From the Ashes

X-Men Omnibus Volumes 1 & 2

I know there is a bunch of 80s stuff I am missing. What do you recommend? Still brand new to X-men and I don't need to read everything, I just really want to hit all the highlights. And get some sweet looking trades for my bookshelf! :-D

@shieldzeal:I can't necessarily recommend anything, but are you in the U.K.?

@V_Scarlotte_Rose: USA

I just bought all the Essential X-Men trades myself.They're black and white but you can't beat the value.

@shieldzeal:Oh, fair enough.

It's just I discovered Marvel pocket books recently, and they're quite a bit cheaper than full size TPBs. I think it's just a U.K. thing though.

I do like the full color masterworks editions. I am a sucker for hardcovers.

But if the price is right...