Picking 5...

NTT Archive Volume 1 = This is the title tha took me from boyhood to teen-dom... Always will hold a specal place in my heart.

Uncanny XMen Masterworks volume 4 - Yes- Dark Phoenix- but just as important is X-Men 138- which outlines the history of the team.

Superman from the 30s the 70s - A great sampler- but more for its sentimental value- I got it as a gift the year I started colecting comics.

Absolute JLA/Avengers - You know- If I have to take 5 books, I at least get all my favorite characters covered with this one book.

Life in Pictures- I love the Will Eiser stuff. Especially the more personal material.