I'm going out on a limb here and guessing that the real thrust of this blatant collusion is to make things tough for CoH/V before Marvel and DC launch their own MMOs in the 2007-8 timeframe.

With the exception of Marvel/DC defectors like Image and Dark Horse, there simply aren't that many competitors in the print world relying on the superhero shtick anymore. I don't see the percentage there.

In fact, were we only talking about print, I can see how this scheme might backfire on them. It might force more independents to take risks they wouldn't otherwise take in terms of telling novel stories. The increased consumer choice could finally get customers to notice how lifeless and dessicated the mainstream market has become.

The availability of manga in the US is already having this effect to an extent, particularly among the post-Pokemon crowd. Turns out you don't have to be exposed to a radioactive something-or-other and develop a dubious fascination with spandex to be part of an interesting story.

In fact, I'm pretty sure all this is a result of Marvel and DC noticing that the kids aren't laughing at their pony's trick anymore. Once you get past the evil of trying to trademark a common term as an anticompetitive tactic, this whole affair just looks incredibly desperate and pathetic.