If I recall correctly, Norman wanted to be the hero during this, right? Well... if I also recall correctly, in one of the earlier issues of the Thunderbolts (Deadpool's appearences) - Norman said he had the cure for cancer. So... what I'm contemplating is - was Dark Reign just a pointless storyline for the mula or did it actually have a proper meaning to it? Because... Norman could've just released that cure for cancer and bam!, instant hero. 
 
     - - Well, tell me what ya'll think?

Osborn promised all sorts of different things to different people; cure for cancer, control over their powers, money... anything to get people to do what he wanted.   
 
Dark Reign was a long winded way to heal the rifts caused by Civil War.  The world had to see how much worse things had become by enforcing restrictions upon their super heroes.  

Norman Osborn did think he was a hero. He still thinks that he is a hero.

terran's right (:

It wasn't moderately pointless..it was completely pointless....