Double-dip on the X-Men

So in the last couple of weeks I've purchased these two collections. They reprint almost the same material - so why the double-dip?

The first one I bought was the Epic Collection which reprints GIANT-SIZE X-MEN (1975) 1, X-MEN (1963) 94-110, MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) 53, 69-70, ANNUAL (1976) 1, IRON FIST (1975) 14-15, MATERIAL FROM FOOM (1973) 10. 

It's a nice collection which includes lots of issues but as it's reprinting some of my favourite comics I was looking at it a bit more critically than some of the other Epics I own and was disappointed in the small gutter on the spine edge which meant it wasn't quite as easy to read as it should have been.

Therefore, because I've been on the Masterworks site looking a discussions regarding Omnibus editions reminded me that I was previously coveting the UnCanny X-men omnibus edition.

This reprints slightly different material (X-Men(1963) 94-131, Giant-Size X-Men 1, Annual 3) plus letters pages and other extras.

The great thing about the Omnibus editions is the oversize format and the reproduction is brilliant. So this will be my copy and I'll persuade Luke to read the Epic. I do own some of the original comics (issue 111 upwards) but I'm still a happy customer!

Oh yes, my old 1st print masterworks will be put away too. These original editions are not as good as later formats with inferior colouring, binding etc.

More Bronze-Age back-issues

I'm clearly on a little bit of a back-issue kick at the moment because I've just bought these three back issues off ebay. Nothing expensive but they just caught my eye,

Iron Man #90 is actually an upgrade copy as it was one of the first US Marvel comics I ever bought. This slightly better condition copy will go into the box and I'll frame my original copy. I love the cover!

X-Men Annual 4

It's from 1980 - 9so Byrne was still the regular series artist ) it's the classic team

The annual has John Romita Jr on art

Why haven't I bought this before??