Should I read 'Classic X-Men' or not?

[Nutcrawler]

So a few weeks ago I started a Claremont reading list for X-Men, and I've been working through it on and off.
I'm not too deep, just UXM #132, and I've just found out that the Classic X-Men collections add new material in addition to the reprints.
Is the new material really worth it/necessary, or should I just read it like it was published?

[Kitty&Piotr<3]

I think it is Classic #8 that has some backstory on the X-Men's latest hot couple.

[Alan2099]

So a few weeks ago I started a Claremont reading list for X-Men, and I've been working through it on and off.
I'm not too deep, just UXM #132, and I've just found out that the Classic X-Men collections add new material in addition to the reprints.
Is the new material really worth it/necessary, or should I just read it like it was published?

A lot of the backups are pretty good stories and provide some strong character work. You don't have to read them to understand what's going on, but I'd suggest reading them.

[Andru]

You're not missing anything.

The extras were only ever meant to "enhance" the story. Honestly, most of it was quite forgettable.

[Osvaldoeaf]

You don't have to in order to understand the stories, but if you love character moments, then you definitely should! The issue with Thunderbird's funeral, for example, is an essential X-Men read!

[shooshoomanjoe]

Not necessary but there are some great stories. Also note that Classic X Men have new material (except for 3 issues i believe) but X Men Classics doesn't.

[Ricochet Rita]

Absolutely YES.

Supplementary stories from Classic X-Men by Claremont & Bolton are gold. At the very least, they're highly beautiful stuff, focused in characters, their personal issues and relationships (often out of X-Men). But frequently they also enlighten and spell scenes out, or even they explain things that remained elliptical in the series.

I mean, if you'd like to know how friendship between Logan and Kurt began, or how Phoenix saved Jean's life, or why Piotr has a child in the Savage Land, you MUST read CXM.

[Riv86672]

Absolutely YES.

Supplementary stories from Classic X-Men by Claremont & Bolton are gold. At the very least, they're highly beautiful stuff, focused in characters, their personal issues and relationships (often out of X-Men). But frequently they also enlighten and spell scenes out, or even they explain things that remained elliptical in the series.

I mean, if you'd like to know how friendship between Logan and Kurt began, or how Phoenix saved Jean's life, or why Piotr has a child in the Savage Land, you MUST read CXM.

So true.

That series wasn’t just done for the hell of it. It really contributed the most classic of X Men runs.
One of my favorite parts was actually the covers. New takes on the originals that really got me excited to crack open the books and enjoy.