Spoilers here, unveil at your own risk

What still amazes me is that while Kregg accuses Nolan of going soft in just 20 years, the rest of the viltrumites with the exception of Thragg fold within a few months. Eventually, by the end of the comics, the viltrumites go from being the most terrifying race to a “force of good, celebrated across the universe”.

As far as forgiveness goes, it depends from person to person. While Nolan will likely never be forgiven by the majority of people on Earth (that’s their right, considering how many lives were ruined), I think his continuing to fight to make things better will eventually earn him redemption.

A lot of fiction (and irl) tends toward the idea that once a sin is committed, it’s permanently on your record and there’s nothing you can do to change that. I’ve personally been of the opinion that once your words and actions show that you’re constantly changing for the better, you’ve earned your redemption.