The Buckets
By Greg Cravens | 7.3K FollowersAbout The Buckets
Art holds a mirror up to Nature. "The Buckets" come along, turn the mirror on Art and say, “Look how goofy you’re acting. Now get to work, Art. Your kids need an Xbox 360.”
"The Buckets" comic strip isn’t a parody of family life. Parodies are filled with hearts and rainbows or enraged tirades and dramatic confrontation. "The Buckets," though? Nope. Real life, baby. It’s funny because it’s on a page and not in your house at the moment. Next week, when it’s happening to you, you’ll thank us for reminding you that it’s supposed to be funny.
Greg Cravens looks in the mirror and sees not himself, but all of us. And then he draws up the silly, grand, goofy, thrilling, utterly human things we do and calls it "The Buckets."
Meet Greg Cravens
Greg Cravens is the author of the comic strips "The Buckets" and "Hubris." His first comic, "The Buckets," offers a realistic snapshot of modern family life: the worries, the mayhem, and the often-overlooked rewards. “'The Buckets' is for anyone baffled by human behavior and the most exquisite comic strip for those willing to see their behavior objectively,” says Cravens. In 2012, Cravens launched his newest comic strip, "Hubris." It is the story of people who enjoy their weekends more than their jobs—wandering in and out of The Outdoor Galore Store, the woods, the skate park, the river, and trouble. They'll risk their lives and limbs to entertain the reader by entertaining themselves. “'Hubris' takes us outside to play, and we all need that sorely,” says Cravens. “I craft the strips with meaning behind the fun.”
Originally from Tennessee, Cravens graduated from Memphis State University. He began as the artist on "The Buckets" (originally created by Scott Stantis) in 2001, just after the strip's 10th anniversary. In 2006, Cravens completely took the reins for the strip. The transition was smoothed by the fact that Cravens began the strip as a married cartoonist, father to two young boys, and owner of a mortgage and a dog—just as Stantis had been 10 years earlier. Cravens also creates large, unwieldy piles of advertising cartoons. He continues to author both of his comic strips in Memphis, surrounded by his friends and family.
Cast of Characters
Larry
Larry is a modern dad, which is to say he's neck-deep in his kids' lives and can't figure out where his own went. This certainly isn't his father's fatherhood.
Sarah
She's the mom who's sure that something beautiful and life-affirming is going on, and maybe she'll learn what it is after all the laundry is done. All Sarah knows now is that your kids inherit your brains ... and don't return them.
Frank
Larry's dad believes the world used to be better, and he tells the world so whenever possible. On especially crabby days, Frank likes to step outside and shout, "You kids get off YOUR lawn!"
Eddie
He's still at that endearing stage when kids have only a nodding acquaintance with reality. But really ... you don't KNOW tricycles can't fly until the theory's been thoroughly tested.
Toby
Like any teenager, Toby has all the charm and skills he needs to be crowned king of the world. He's just waiting around for you to acknowledge it.
The Dog
Dogzilla turned up at the Buckets' house a few years ago and decided to keep them—so far.