Boxdog is a webcomic created by The Weaver and hosted on The Duck. The protagonist is a pitiable woman named Boxdog, who's misfortune-filled life has left her homeless. The story begins with her finding a place to live, becoming roommates with a man named Scrimmage.
Beginning in January 2007, the comic went through a couple of hiatuses before finally concluding in July 2023. It can be read here
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Boxdog provides examples of the following tropes:
- Aerith and Bob: In a cast including such names as Boxdog, Teadog, Scrimmage, Cancer, and Fracas, Basil stands out as sounding relatively normal.
- Art Evolution: Predating even Ruby Quest, the beginning is drawn in a cruder version of Weaver's signature MS Paint style, but it doesn't take long to reach its usual minimalist charm. It experienced another bump up near the end of the comic as Weaver had acquired a drawing tablet.
- Bittersweet Ending: More sweet for Boxdog, more bitter for Scrimmage. Boxdog and Teadog finally reunite, letting them live together happily after years of not knowing what happened to the other one. As for Scrim, his nose is broken, his friendship is most likely over with Fracas and Basil, and Boxdog flat-out tells him that she doesn't forgive him for all he put her through. But he accepts her response with no hesitation, indicating he's realized how much of a scumbag he's been and that he might change in the future, and for the time being he has Cancer to talk to.
- Bottle Episode: The entire series takes place solely within Scrim's house, never once leaving the location.
- Cartoon Creature: It's not exactly clear what Scrimmage is supposed to be.
- Dog Food Diet: All Boxdog gets to eat, courtesy of Scrimmage.
- Establishing Character Moment: How Boxdog gets her new home sets the tone for her and Scrim's dynamic. He extorts a blowjob out of her under the implication that this is how she'll earn a living space... And then he turns her away anyways, but thanks for her sucking his dick. Boxdog just says "you're welcome" and prepares to leave, only staying because Scrim changes his mind, seemingly out of guilt. Then he reveals that her bed is a dryer.
- The Eeyore: Boxdog. Her moments of happiness are temporary at best.
- Extreme Doormat: Boxdog again, who never stands up for herself at any point. Probably justified considering that if she stands up to Scrimmage and it goes poorly, he could just kick her out and she'll end up homeless again.
- Failure Hero: Boxdog's suffering is a recurring theme, most often by Scrimmage's hand but sometimes by her own. By her own admission she doesn't seem to have any practical skills, and even attempting to watch TV ended in Mind Screw and a trip to the hospital.
- Forgetful Jones: Cancer, who apparently forgot her own name and came up with her current one on the spot. It turns out that actually is her name, but she forgot that she's actually Scrimmage's roommate and that she's "revealed" herself to him several times.
- Furry Confusion: Boxdog insists she's "not really a dog" despite looking like one, being named Boxdog, and every character being some sort of animal for that matter. This doesn't stop Scrim from feeding her nothing but kibble.
- Jerkass: Scrimmage. It's to him what being The Eeyore is to Boxdog.
- The Lost Lenore: Teadog to Boxdog. The two were very close before his untimely death, he's the only character Boxdog was close to before meeting Cancer, and he makes semi-frequent appearances in Boxdog's dreams and thoughts. He's still alive.
- Nice Guy: Cancer and Basil. They're unconditionally nice towards Boxdog, with Cancer being her Only Friend and Basil being the only one who calls Scrimmage out for mistreating her.
- "Not So Different" Remark: A series of them after the second poker game.
- Basil pulls one on Scrim (comparing him to Fracas) by bringing up what Fracas said earlier after Scrimmage gets upset over his sexually harassing Boxdog, accusing him of only being upset because he's the only one who's "allowed" to do that.
- Scrimmage tries to turn it back on Basil (comparing Basil to himself), saying he isn't any better than him, only for Basil to shut it down, saying Scrimmage is worse because he sexually coerced Boxdog while Basil never did.
- Scrimmage doubles down on it as he throws Basil out of his house, saying "you're just as fucked as me". Whether or not this holds any weight depends on whether or not one reads Basil as having ulterior motives when he invites Boxdog to live with him (right after Basil reveals he went to the poker game assuming Scrim invited Boxdog as a "party favor", and that he did want to do something with Boxdog, but only with her consent).
- Orwellian Retcon: Scrimmage's sign in 'White Noise' (after Boxdog mistakes him for Cancer) was changed from "Who's Cancer" to "Guess Again". This is to set up the reveal that Scrim knew about Cancer all this time, because she's actually his roommate.
- Precious Photo: Boxdog's picture of her and Teadog together. It ends up being the key that leads to them finding each other.
- Rule of Three: Teadog shows up to Scrimmage's house three times. The first time, he's knocking on doors and offering a survey, and is unceremoniously sent off, causing him and Boxdog to miss each other. The second time, he's doing the same thing, but Scrimmage talks with him and takes his card before brushing him off. The third time, Scrimmage calls him over so he and Boxdog can reunite.
- "Shaggy Dog" Story: Boxdog's explanation as to why she doesn't like cake combines this with more Tragic Backstory.
- Slice of Life: A very depressing one.
- Token Good Teammate: One almost wonders why Basil is friends with Scrim or Fracas.
- We Hardly Knew Ye: Fracas is introduced near the end of the comic as being part of Scrim and Basil's friend group, and is gone after five pages.
