To his frustration, Bernie would discover he is a perfect IF negative, one of a handful of people on Earth immune to the excession effect. Bernie's negative status renders him immune to many non-physical superpowers, as well as being a "chrono-psychic null," incapable of being perceived by high-order beings unless they are physically looking at him. However, it was this status that eventually helped him become Dr Blackhattan. He also wants to become a reporter. Note: Bernie has on several occasions sneezed when the Queen Squid is acting nearby. The reasons behind this has never been explained.