In that case it's more a business decision than a political one, although some vocal fans (esp. the racist or sexist fringe) are trying to turn it into a PC discussion and the end of the comic industry. It isn't. These companies are now multi-billion dollar businesses and the comics are a "business line", which is why changes don't cross into other mediums like movies and merchandising. The movie. licensing and merchandising business lines now dwarf the comic book line in terms of revenue even though the comics are at the heart of everything, they are only read or followed by a small percentage of the customer base. The comic book business line need to come up with ways to inject interest and try to attract new readers. They do so through things like "event books", "gimmicks" and reboots such as the New 52. Those things always run their courses and then things always go back. Some longtime readers might drop a female driven Iron Man while others might enjoy the run, and maybe some new readers will check it out along with other Marvel titles. That's the gamble publishers take, but it's both a calculated and a temporary one. So don't get your knickers in a knot. As sure as the sun will rise, Steve Rogers will be Captain America super patriotic, WWII super soldier in the comics again (he'd better be), Thor Odinson will be Thor, Logan will be Wolverine, Tony Stark will be Iron Man. It's the core readers who panic and then somehow feel vindicated when things return, but that was the plan all along.