Ortaçan

Ortaçan is a name that can refer to several entities, most notably a popular Turkish comic book character and an associated publishing house. The character Ortaçan was created by cartoonist Oğuz Aral and first appeared in the satirical weekly magazine Gırgır in 1972. He is depicted as a young, observant boy who navigates the complexities of everyday life in Turkey with a mix of innocence and witty commentary. The strip often serves as a social critique, using Ortaçan's perspective to highlight various societal issues and cultural nuances.

The success of the Ortaçan comic strip led to the establishment of Ortaçan Yayıncılık, a publishing house that continues to publish his adventures and other comic works. The character's enduring popularity in Turkey is a testament to his relatable nature and the satirical approach of his creator. Ortaçan comics are enjoyed by a wide audience, from children to adults, and are considered a significant part of Turkish popular culture and comic history. The character's name itself, Ortaçan, is a colloquial Turkish phrase that can be interpreted as meaning "average" or "middle," further emphasizing his role as an everyman figure.