Ann Nocenti offers a tale of a young Arcade having nightmares and revealing he had an abusive father. Really? So that excuses his villainy? I find these “reasons he’s bad” stories a bit tiresome. The story in #31 is about Charles Xavier spending time in space while his woman, Princess Lilandra, is busy doing other things. It’s harmless, but these Nocenti stories are not as interesting as Chris Claremont’s were.
I’m with you. I’ve had enough of all these “It’s not MY fault I’m a criminal/murderous psychotic/asshole” type origin stories. Eventually, we all have to take responsibility for who we are, regardless of our various circumstances. There is no rationalization for evil behavior, although my heart does bleed for the Mole Man, upon occasion. God must have really hated the Mole Man.