Reply #18: If this were some new interpretation on these characters, I might agree.

[Marr]

But all these elements have been an intrinsic part of the characters since the mid-80's at least. You should pick up The Dark Knight Returns if you've never read it. It's got a lot of political overtones. Watchmen as well-- if you've never read it, it may surprise you for being an incredibly smart examination of philosophical and political questions, through the admittedly odd superhero genre.