Marvel Comics Unveils Black Captain America

Just a day or so after it revealed a new female version of Thor to the world, Marvel Comics has continued its drive for greater diversity among its iconic superheroes.

And the latest big change is in Captain America's skin colour - because the new holder of the famous stars-and-stripes shield will be black.

Sam Wilson (aka Falcon) will be taking over from a retiring Steve Rogers as part of Marvel's Avengers NOW initiative.

The news was announced on US TV show The Colbert Report, where host Stephen Colbert had fun with the change.

"I don't have to tell you that the world is falling apart under Barack Obama's leadership," the comedian said.

"We're losing one of our greatest leaders, Captain America. He won our hearts back in 1941 by punching Hitler in the face!

"Unfortunately, Cap's days of protecting America are numbered.

"With Steve Rogers brought low there's a huge void in the Captaining of America. Who among us is prepared to step in?

"You'd have to be extremely patriotic, look decades younger than your actual age, and you'd have to own Captain America's actual shield."