Gift for New Reader Recommendations

So I've read a bunch of X-Men but I have a friend who is interested after I shared a couple episodes of Cerebro with him and I'm looking for entry-point recommendations that I could give as a gift. 1 maybe 2 trades is probably the right size.

He doesn't read a ton of comics. I think he'd like the drama/soapy aspects so I'm thinking 80's Claremont. Something more recent could also work. I considered HoxPox, but it feels like A LOT for someone who doesn't really read comics.

He's a friend but also a work colleague, so something like an omnibus is way too big a gift.

Would love any recommendations folks have.