Captain America's Shield Is Part Of Stephen Colbert's Late Show Set

Stephen Colbert made his debut as host of The Late Show on CBS last night, and he brought along an item that should be familiar to fans of his previous show, The Colbert Report, and the Marvel Universe.

While introducing his audience to the remodeled Ed Sullivan Theater, Colbert pointed out Captain America's shield hanging on the wall. Colbert says the shield was given to him by "Captain America himself." More accurately, it was willed to him after Steve Rogers' "death" at the end of Civil War, and sent to him by then Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada.

In reality, the Captain America replica shield belonged to late Captain America writer Mike Gruenwald. The shield came into the possession of Marvel Editor Tom Brevoort, who kept it in his office until it was presented to Colbert.

Considering what a huge Lord of the Rings fan Colbert is, it's a little surprising that Sting – Frodo Baggins' sword, which was presented to Colbert by director Peter Jackson – didn't make an appearance. Cap's shield does make a more colorful set piece, and Colbert may prefer to keep the sword in his personal collection, or perhaps as a means of warning against an orc invasion.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS.