Marvel editor on black Captain America, other diverse characters

Marvel Comics has rebooted several of its iconic comic book characters, with more on the way. The company's Editor-in-Chief, Axel Alonso, stopped by CBSN to discuss some of the changes.

One of the high-profile transformations Marvel is introducing: a black Captain America. Alonso said that the initial reaction to the news was negative, "because people don't like to hear about change. Ultimately, it all levels out."

Alonso said that fans are now excited about the new Captain America. "I think that the significance of an African American man dressed in red, white and blue is not lost on the public. It's caused a lot of interesting debate, but this is the world in which we live," he said.

Marvel also decided to reintroduce Thor as a woman, and the new Ms. Marvel is a Pakistani-American 16-year-old.

"She is a breakout character, I would say the breakout character of the year," Alonso said. "Her story is universal, and speaks to all audiences."

According to Alonso, the numerous adaptations of classic superheroes is an extension of a long Marvel tradition.

"It's the world outside your window," he said, which was something Stan Lee promoted when he ran the company. "I think what we've done in the last few years is really double down on that philosophy.