I'm also thinking that Dr Venture's ancestor started the Guild in no small part to contain the super villain threat, under the guise of promoting it. Basically, if you think about it, most of the Guild rules force these guys to act like cartoon menaces and not actual terrorists (think Cesar Romero Joker instead of Heath Ledger Joker).
Makes sense, especially considering that S.P.H.I.N.X. (Sphinx!) has set themselves up to deal with the guys who DON'T play by the Guild's rules(or any other costumed group's, as
Fallen Arches shows that there are at least 2 lesser competitors in the Costumed Supervillainy racket).
