Classic Comics & Crosswords was first introduced in four US test markets (Phoenix, AZ; Tampa, FL; Dayton, OH; and Cleveland, OH; plus customary comic channels) on 3 November 1991. The concept was to reproduce 40 syndicated comics and 6 crossword puzzles from King Features, five years after their original publication date. In addition to The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician, the comics included many other King Features daily strips of the period in alphabetical order: Andy Capp, Apartment 3-G, Beetle Bailey, Better Half, Big George, Blondie, Crock, Dennis the Menace, Family Circus, Flash Gordon, Funky Winterbean, Grin and Bear It, Hägar the Horrible, Hazel, Hi & Lois, Judge Parker, Lockhorns, Luann, Marvin, Mary Worth, Popeye, Prince Valiant (Sunday), Rex Morgan, Sally Forth, Snuffy Smith, They'll Do It Every Time, Tiger, Trudy, Tumbleweeds, and Wizard of Id.

The original publication was 48 pages, and it was produced and distributed Weekly. Volume 1, Issue 1, appeared 3 November 1991, and subsequent issues were produced and distributed weekly through to 22 December 1991 (Volume 1, Issue 8). The press-run consisted of about 10,000 copies of Volume I, Issue 1; immediately dropped to 7,000 for the second issue; and subsequently reduced to under 5,000. The weekly version continued with Volume II, Issue 1 (29 December 1991) through Volume II, Issue 17 (20 April 1992). No further Weekly editions were produced after that date.

Here are issues number 1 and 4.