Illinois Jack

Illinois Jack is a fictional series of comics featured in the Arthur episode "Dear Adil". The comics feature its protagonist, Illinois Jack (or "Illy" for short), traveling around the world and going on various adventures. The comics contain numerous cultural stereotypes.

One comic, "Illinois Jack and the Caravan of Horrors", is prominently featured. Various inaccuracies about Turkish culture are featured in the story:


 * Turkey is depicted as a hot desert climate. In reality, Turkey is not that dry or hot, and it snows there during the winter.
 * Illy's friend Mustafa lives in a tent, while in real life, most Turkish people live in houses or apartments.
 * The clothing of the Turkish characters in the background resembles Arab or Indian clothing. Most notable is the use of the fez, which has been illegal in Turkey since 1925.
 * Camels appear to be a common method of transportation in the comic.
 * Lamb's eyes are eaten in the comic. Turkish cuisine does not include lamb's eyes.

Other comics exist, which also have inaccuracies. In one comic mentioned by Alberto Molina, Illinois Jack goes to Ecuador and finds a golden Mayan temple, while the real-life Mayans were from Mexico.

When writing to his pen pal Adil Akyuz, Arthur used the comic as a study of Turkish culture, on the advice of Buster who gave him his copy. Unaware that the comic was wildly inaccurate, Arthur asked many questions that confused Adil. Alberto later reveals to Arthur that the comic should not be taken as an accurate picture of any of the cultures it depicts, prompting Arthur to sort out the misunderstanding with Adil.

The comic is a parody of Indiana Jones.