The Barker is Carnie Calahan, a promoter who works at Colonel Lane's Mammoth Circus. His job is to stand outside the circus and bark at passers-by to try and get them to come in. This position lead him to interact with many strange characters, including his oddball co-workers. His grandson Kitt Callahan also worked the same trade many years later. Barker was created by Joe Millard and Jack Cole, first appearing in the Quality Comics publication National Comics #42. (1944)