"If I Fail, a World is Lost!" is the title to the first story featured in issue #66 of the Tales of Suspense superhero anthology series published by Marvel Comics. The story was written by Stan Lee with artwork by Don Heck and inks by Mickey Demeo. It was lettered by Sam Rosen. This tale stars the character of Iron Man. The second story features the character of Captain America and is called "The Fantastic Origin of the Red Skull". It was written by Stan Lee with artwork by Jack Kirby, inks by Chic Stone, and lettering by Artie Simek. Both stories were edited by Stan Lee. This issue shipped with a June, 1965 cover date and carries a cover price of .12 cents per copy.
According to the Catalog of Copyright Entries, Periodicals, 1965, page 308, registration number B173314, this issue shipped to retailers on March 3rd, 1965.
"If I Fail, a World is Lost!" is reprinted in Marvel's Greatest Comics #24 from December, 1969, as well the Invincible Iron Man Omnibus, Volume 1 hardcover collection from 2008, the Iron Man Epic Collection, Volume 1 trade paperback from November, 2014, and in black and white the Essential Iron Man, Volume 1 trade paperback collection from November, 2000.
"The Fantastic Origin of the Red Skull" was adapted into the "The Fantastic Origin of the Red Skull" mini-episode of the Captain America animated series in 1966. Most of the animation used in the episode are taken directly from panels from the original story.
Prior to this the events revealed in "The Fantastic Origin of the Red Skull", the first appearance of the Red Skull was established as taking place in Captain America Comics #1 in March, 1941. This story now reveals that the Red Skull who appeared in that issue, as well as issue #3, was in fact an impostor named George Maxon. The character that most people recognize as the Red Skull made his first canonical appearance in Captain America Comics #7 in October, 1941. This is one of the earliest examples of a "retcon" (retroactive continuity) to take place in the Marvel Universe.
The origin of the Red Skull, as revealed here, is expanded upon in greater detail in Captain America #298 in October, 1984. That issue reveals that the Red Skull's actual name is Johann Shmidt (also mis-spelled as Schmidt in later sources).
This is the first appearance of the Iron Man armor MK IV. It is distinguished from the previous model in that it is a slightly sleeker design, and does not have the upturned angles on the upper portion of the face-plate like the MK III model. This model will go through minor upgrades, including adding a nose-piece to the face plate.
This is the first appearance of Nautilium, which is a rare mineral that possesses properties that compromises the ability of humans to breathe oxygen.
Reference is made to a previous battle between Giant-Man and Attuma. This took place in Tales to Astonish #64.
The blonde-haired woman seen on panel 5 of page 3 in "The Fantastic Origin of the Red Skull" will be identified later as Esther. Though this issue doesn't reveal it, the expanded origin from Captain America #298 establishes that Esther is the very first murder victim of Johann Shmidt.