I've always felt the sentiment that "Pell wasn't at the center of the explosion!" Is quite an insult to his character, and his big scene.
No, Pell isn't shown at the explosion center, but here sure isn't shown ducking out of it. Reading his scene, there is absolutely no room for other interpretation except: Pell is making a heroic sacrifice. He is carrying the bomb, as it blows. He intends to die. Looking at the flow of panels, and Pells simultaneous inner monologue, theres no way he released that bomb.
The panels go:
-Pell carries bomb
- Pell smiles, content that he's served his country
- Timer reaches zero
BOOM, Pells monologue concludes.
Pell letting go of the bomb would have to be squeezed in between these panels, and fly in the face of the scenes intended purpose. Pells final words and sacrifice would sure ring a lot more hollow if, before the explosion, he thought "this is propaby high enough, if I drop the bomb now, I can save my own life too!"
Pell not being at the center of the blast it not something that happened; but its something people reason had to have happened since he survived.