I agree.. And the fact that Lester is less of an irredeemable asshole makes John look worse for having, as Zed said "manipulated him" into sacrificing himself.

Zed said John completely manipulated him.. The fact that Gary, as depicted in the TV show wasn't a complete scumbag arguably makes John look even worse for manipulating him into sacrificing himself.

The fact that Gary was not a caricature of a scumbag in the tv show arguably makes John even more of a bastard. Zed said that John completely manipulated Gary into allowing John to use him that way.

I think he's walking a fine line in showing John for the right bastard he actually is in the comics and having the character still appeal to a wide audience. Having said that, the fact that Gary was more sympathetic makes John look worse for having , as Zed Said, "manipulated him" into sacrificing himself