Origin
A quiet man who inherits a circus and a rather large mortgage.
Creation
Drawn by Harvey Eisenberg.
Major Story Arcs
When a second-uncle, Petronius J. McCarthy, dies, he leaves his circus to McCarthy Charles. The circus, however, has ended up as a complete failure. In addition to no patrons, the circus is also in danger of being foreclosed by Rufus Chiselgrinder.
That’s all until Charlie McCarthy meets McCarthy Charles. Charlie is sure that he can find an act so sensational as to put the circus back into business. McCarthy Charles promises Charlie as many free passes for his friends as Charlie desires, provided the act is found.
McCarthy Charles continues to try and draw a crowd but to no avail. Charlie finally arrives later with a cow that can walk a tightrope. McCarthy Charles immediately puts the cow, Mortimer Snerd‘s Bessie, into his lineup and the success is immediate. He thanks Charlie by offering him a job and free passes to any kid Charlie desires.