Think Professor Charles Xavier is a hero? Think again.

Professor Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X, the bald and benevolent telepath of the X-Men, is often hailed as a hero, a visionary, a savior of mutants and mankind alike. But beneath that shiny, smooth dome and serene demeanor, could there lurk a not-so-nice guy? Let's explore why this supposed paragon of virtue might just be... a little bit of an asshole.

Oh, where to even begin?

Professor X, the wise and revered leader of the X-Men, has had his fair share of questionable moments with his team. Let’s dive into some instances where he was less of the mentor and more of the menace in the mansion.

Manipulation tactics, invasion of privacy, and mishandling of the Phoenix

Charles Xavier is one of the most powerful telepaths in the world, which means he can read your thoughts, manipulate your memory, and influence your decisions without you even knowing. Consent, ever heard of it, Charles? This man can literally rewire your brain, and he’s used this power more than once to his own advantage or to “protect” someone from themselves. Sounds more like playing God than playing guidance counselor. When Jean Grey transformed into the Phoenix, a cosmic force of near-unlimited power, things got a tad out of hand (as they do). What did our good professor do? Instead of helping her manage this immense power, he placed psychic blocks in her mind. You could argue he was trying to protect her, but really, it was more about keeping a lid on something he didn't fully understand or couldn't control. When those blocks eventually broke down (as psychic blocks are wont to do), things went south fast. Not the best move, Charles.

Then there's Wolverine, the man with the metal skeleton and questionable haircut. Logan’s mind is more fortified than a bank vault, courtesy of his traumatic past and the whole Weapon X fiasco. Does Xavier respect that privacy? Nope. He frequently uses his telepathic powers to tamper with Wolverine’s memories or make tactical decisions. Privacy invasion much? Wolverine’s brain might be tough, but it’s not an open invitation. Don't forget about Cyclops, either. Scott Summers has been one of Xavier’s most loyal followers, practically the poster boy for the X-Men. Yet, Xavier has no qualms about using Cyclops when it suits him. He once allowed Cyclops to believe he had expelled him from the school as part of a covert plan. Manipulative much? It’s like saying, "Trust me, but I'll only trust you when you don't know you're actually part of my secret strategy."

And who could overlook the treatment of Rogue, the Southern belle with the lethal touch? When Rogue joined the X-Men, she was struggling with her powers, which let her absorb the abilities and memories of anyone she touches. A touchy situation, you might say. Does Xavier give her the gentle, nurturing care she needs? Not exactly. He often pushes her into situations where she's had to use her powers, despite the immense personal risk and psychological toll it takes on her.

Lastly, there’s his handling of the whole "Danger Room is sentient" debacle. Turns out, the X-Men’s training facility is in fact alive and feeling pretty trapped and miserable. When Xavier finds out, does he immediately free this sentient being? Nope. He keeps this little tidbit to himself for a long time. Not cool, Professor, not cool.

Convenient secrets, lies, and hypocrisy

Let's talk about his pet project, the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters. Sounds noble, right? What a guy. A sanctuary for young mutants to learn and grow. But let's be real - turning impressionable teenagers into your personal army of super-powered soldiers? That's kinda sketchy. Professor X regularly sends these kids, barely out of puberty, into dangerous battles. Sure, they signed up to learn, but one might argue they also signed up for math class, not mutant warfare.

Not to mention how he deals with his enemies. Sure, some of them are genuinely bad news, but Xavier's approach can be pretty authoritarian. "My way or the psychic highway," seems to be his motto, which makes him a huge hypocrite as he constantly criticizes Magneto over having a similar but different approach to his own views on the matter. He’s locked foes in psychic prisons or left them in comatose states. Rehabilitation and redemption? Not so much on his watch. It's either Charles Xavier's idea of peace or the highway. Remember that time Professor X inflicted so much agony and fear upon Magneto through the power of using all of his Holocaust memories and triggering his PTSD? I don't care who you are, using trauma as a weapon is just so, so wrong on so many levels.

Also, consider his relationship with his closest friends and students. He’s kept secrets, big, life-altering secrets, from them. Remember the time he hid the existence of his twin sister, Cassandra Nova, who just so happened to be a genocidal maniac? Oops, forgot to mention that one! This kind of selective transparency doesn’t exactly scream “trustworthy leader.” And while we’re on the topic of trust, how about that time he formed a secret hit squad, X-Force, and kept it hidden from practically everyone? Yep, even the most devoted of teachers can have a dark side, and it seems Professor X likes his served with a side of covert operations.

Now, I'm not saying Professor X hasn’t done some good in his life - he absolutely has.

He's fought for peace and understanding between humans and mutants, and he's championed the rights of the oppressed. But even with the best intentions, his methods can be pretty questionable. Being a leader isn’t just about the end game - it’s about how you play the game. And sometimes, in Charles Xavier’s case, he plays it in ways that are a bit... well, assholish.

In essence, Professor Xavier, despite his grand ideals and visions of harmony, has often used his powers and position to manipulate or outright control his X-Men. It's a classic case of the ends justifying the means, but with a heavy dose of psychic meddling. Whether it’s for "the greater good" or just his way of maintaining order, these actions certainly don’t always paint him in the best light.

Professor Charles Xavier, the telepathic titan of the mutant world, might just be a little less saintly than he appears. But then again, nobody’s perfect - not even the founder of the X-Men.