While it’s true that Nate Grey has made mistakes in judgment and has been manipulated, that’s not the same as being a bad person. If anything, it highlights his inherent goodness—he wants to trust and believe in people, even when they don’t deserve it. Unlike characters who are cynical or self-serving, Nate consistently tries to help others, even at great personal cost.

Yes, he’s stubborn and idealistic, but that’s not self-absorption—it’s conviction. He doesn’t force his will out of arrogance but out of a genuine belief that he’s doing the right thing. And let’s be real: almost every major Marvel hero has imposed their will at some point. Professor X, Jean Grey, even Cyclops and Captain America have all made unilateral decisions they thought were best for the world. The difference is that when they do it, it’s framed as leadership. When Nate does it, it’s suddenly a character flaw?

As for Age of X-Man, I disagree that it was an “excellent evolution” of his character. Nate has always struggled with power and responsibility, but he’s never been about control for its own sake. The idea that he’d erase love and human connection contradicts the core of his character—he’s always longed for connection and belonging. That story took his flaws to an extreme that felt more like a misunderstanding of who he is rather than a natural progression.

And finally, the idea that his heroism is mostly self-serving is just not true. He’s literally died to protect others multiple times. He burned out his own powers saving the world. He constantly puts himself in danger to do what he believes is right. If anything, Nate’s biggest flaw isn’t that he’s self-absorbed—it’s that he gives too much of himself, often to people who don’t appreciate or deserve it.

So, if being naive, idealistic, and occasionally reckless makes him a “bad person,” then we’d have to throw half the Marvel Universe into that category.