I addressed a similar issue in a paper I wrote for Ethics.
Comic book creators have a serious quandary. Without going academia here, I'll just sum up.
The average age of the comic book reader is growing up. Most of us are in our mid-20's with some deviation of ten years (and even more toward older readers pushing the range upward in age but not so much in the other direction). Yet, comic books are often packaged for younger readers. DC and Marvel have both said clearly (and I can find attribution if anyone needs it) that they need to attract younger readers for the industry to endure.
Yet, look at the Front Page banner for this thread. Wonder Woman, a model for young girls to look up to and aspire toward, is breaking a man's neck in cold blood. Granted, it was a kickass story. And the way the character had changed and the elements of the plot, I enjoyed the story. (This is to say nothing of the growinf moral ambiguity developing in the big three, heady, heady stuff.)
Still, this is clearly a story that is not written for a ten-year-old. Which, I have no problems with. I went back and tried to read comics of my youth, the ones that got me into comics (80's) and they're nigh unreadable. As a consumer, I love how the stories and plots are growing up with me. I love how the stories have more to offer me than the Chameleon trying to figure out Spidey's secret identity for 13th time or the Joker planning another elaborate but foolish heist.
Looking at it as a possible future parent, I see very few comics on my shelf that I'd let my kid read (without my supervision) before his or her prepubescent years. (I mean really, would you let your nine-year-old read Millar's run on the Authority or his Wanted?)
Sure, they are comics for kids. But is the difference clearly marked? You can walk into Hastings (a local bookstore chain) and find Ultimate titles next the OMAC Project. Sure, Ultimate's not bad. Ult. Spidey and FF would be great books for a young kid of the future to cut their comic book-reading teeth on. But not so much the Ultimates (thanks, Millar!).
I guess, to answer your question in a vague, roundabout and unsatisfactory manner, I'm of two minds. The comic fan inside me that's grown up to be a discerning, educated reader, loves today's comics. But there's quite a minefield to wade through in the future when I introduce Kaz Jr. to Daredevil and Co.
