History VitriolicBestBuds / WebComics

* In ''Webcomic/DumbingOfAge'', Becky insists that Dorothy is her nemesis, due to being a competing claimant for the title of "Joyce's best friend", but because they ''do'' both care about Joyce, they frequently work together and eventually show every sign of being pretty close friends themselves, with Becky's "emnity" coming across more as a running gag she won't let go of than anything else. Dorothy, for her part, starts of being oblivious to this, then bewildered, then finally settles into resigned amusement, but makes it quite clear to Becky that she's not going to engage with the concept. For her part, on the one occasion she ''does'' manage to upset Dorothy, Becky immediately works on trying to find a way to apologise and make up without admitting she's doing anything of the sort.

* ''Webcomic/BeyondTheEnd'': Michael and Uriel constantly seem at each others throats, with Uriel being an uncontrollable wildcard that loves to break the rules, and Michael being the hardline of the law. Despite Michael seeming seconds from crushing Uriel under his foot most days, they're actually PlatonicLifePartners, with Michael breaking down when [[spoiler: he thinks he might have actually killed Uriel by accident.]]

* ''Webcomic/Rain2010'': Rudy and Gavin constantly get on each others nerves and can both annoy each other, but they genuinely care for one another and will support and comfort when in need.

-->'''Gil:''' ''[with Tarvek in a choking hold]'' Listen to ''everything'' this duplicitous snake says!
:: Even funnier during the [[{{Synchronization}} Si Vales Valeo]] sequence.

* The nordics in ''WebComic/ScandinaviaAndTheWorld'', of course. Especially prominent with Sweden and Denmark, but Norway tends to go out of his way to remind them of [[CosmicPlaything how they treated him for centuries]], or rub his immense wealth in their faces. TruthInTelevision, some of the most common jokes found in Scandinavia are about a Swede, a Dane and a Norwegian doing something foolish, with the fool being switched around depending on country.

* ''Webcomic/VGCats'': Aeris and Leo, the main characters, do stuff to annoy the hell out of each other. It even got to the point where, in one strip, [[spoiler:Aeris went back in time to abort an unborn Leo out of existence]]. But all said and done, there are moments when they show they actually do care for each other--"The Perfect Gift" is an example.

* In ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' Gilgamesh and Tarvek fluctuate somewhere between "best friends" and "hate each other's guts". Agatha ironically predicted they'll ''like'' each other (due to being NotSoDifferent) before discovering they're already acquainted.

** Faye and Dora in [[http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=708# this strip]]. Also many others, but in this one Raven describes it: "Sometimes I can't tell if you guys are friends or if you hate each other."

* The [[http://www.commanderkitty.com/crew/ cast page]] of ''Webcomic/CommanderKitty'' paints CK and Socks' relationship as such, though with socks being an IntelligibleUnintelligible, [[http://www.commanderkitty.com/2009/11/29/energize-sounds-better-than-peekaboo/ it's kind of hard to tell on his end]]. CK and Nin Wah [[http://www.commanderkitty.com/2012/11/04/plan-a/ are also shaping up to become this]].

* Enigma and all seven of his brothers in ''Webcomic/DragonTails''. Despite threatening death to any who touch his lake and using memories of his brothers' past idiocy to fuel his rage-filled fighting style, Enigma will do pretty much anything to protect his family, risking his own life and limb to ensure their safety. There's also Lemuel and Norman. Norman often schemes to use Lemuel as a disposable pawn in his quest to conquer the world, or as a bodyguard or slave. Lemuel...has a pet food dish labelled "Normie".
* ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'':
** Faye and Dora in [[http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=708# this strip]]. Also many others, but in this one Raven describes it: "Sometimes I can't tell if you guys are friends or if you hate each other."
** At Marten's dad's wedding, his mother meets an old friend and they trade [[http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2391 really nasty barbs]]. Claire looks a bit shocked, but Marten just comments that his own taste in friends (ie Faye and Dora) suddenly makes sense.
* Pretty much everyone in ''Webcomic/SomethingPositive'' insults everyone else constantly and to their faces, as Davan explains [[http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp11122006.shtml here]]. Sometimes it's hard to see the difference between the way they treat their friends and the way they treat people they'd be happier without, even for the characters. There's more than one genuine hatred mistaken for affection relationship. Kharisma and Mike especially are prone to being on the unliked end of them. Then again, all the core cast are in vitriolic relationships, so it's hard to blame them for the mistake.
-->'''[[http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp08062009.shtml PeeJee]]:''' Sometimes I hate you so much I worry it might be love.\\
'''Davan:''' Talk like that is why people [[ShipTease speculate about us]], y'know.
** Worth pointing out as well, though [=PeeJee=], Davan and Aubrey collectively torment, insult and play with each others emotions or lack there of to a degree, all three would literally rip through hell to get at someone who'd wronged the other considering even Davan forgives Eva before the noose is loosened around her neck by any of his friends short of Jason.
* Largo and Piro from ''Webcomic/MegaTokyo'' are total opposites in many ways, with Piro spending a lot of time making snarky comments about his friend's loose sanity and total lack of social skills. For his part Largo seems to think of Piro as a weak hearted, easily manipulated fool who is easy prey for the forces of evil (They're both right). This makes the moments of true friendship they show all the sweeter.
* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'':
** One-sided example with Roy Greenhilt and Elan, namely the former with the latter. Roy is often very exasperated and annoyed with Elan's eccentricities, but he still cares a lot for his bard and he often gives credit when credit is due to Elan, especially as the latter TakesALevelInBadass. Elan meanwhile has nothing but respect and adoration for Roy, seeing him as like an older brother (which becomes more symbolic when on recalls Roy lost his younger brother, who was a CheerfulChild and hypothesized to have likely ended up as a bard had he grown up.) Though this starred from [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0162.html strip 162]] onwards. Prior to that, Roy saw Elan [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0153.html less as a member of the team, and more as an obstacle they overcame on a regular basis]].
** In one of the books, it's revealed Elan wrote a ''five-act rock opera'' for Roy in dedication to the man and why Elan holds him in high regards (this was after Roy was resurrected.) Roy is annoyed for how long it is, but he still listens to the whole thing because Elan worked so hard at it.
** Vaarsuvius and Belkar are a pretty good example of the less benign version. They constantly attack, insult, sic animals on, and berate each other, but both have saved the other at least once, and have risked themselves for the other. And then there was the [[KissingUnderTheInfluence event...]].
* Tony and all his friends in ''Webcomic/CharbyTheVampirate'' but especially Zeno. While Zeno considers Tony his best friend, this hasn't stopped Tony from delighting in Zeno's [[http://www.drunkduck.com/Charby_the_Vampirate/4782813/ rejection and humiliation]]. Menu is a major offender here too.
* Similar to the Black Mage/Fighter example is that of Dominic and Steve in the ''Tabletopgame/MagicTheGathering'' webcomic ''Webcomic/UGMadness''. As the author himself says, the best thing about Steve is that "he is far too intent on becoming your friend to ever get angry with you. You can even [[http://www.ugmadness.net/index.php?date=2005-10-03 smash his car with a hatchet]]- it's cool."
* Pretty much the entire cast of the ''Webcomic/CollegeRoomiesFromHell'' belong to this trope, but Mike and Dave above all others.
** Debatable since many of the characters actually hate each other and have tried to kill each other almost as often as they've aided each other, and [[AFriendInNeed when one of them is in trouble]], it often takes some convincing before another one will help, and he or she might not be too pleased about helping.

* ''Webcomic/ExterminatusNow'' has a four-way version: the entire main cast is horrifically abusive to each other (verbally ''and'' physically), but they're all close friends. One of the more noticeable examples of this is when [[http://exterminatusnow.co.uk/2007-11-17/comic/black-and-white/the-end-of-an-era/ Lothar actually goes out of his way to save Harry, Syrus, and Rogue]], despite repeated claims that he only keeps them around to be meat shields.
** Especially [[http://exterminatusnow.co.uk/2011-05-16/comic/the-cesspool/man-feelings/ Lothar and Rogue]].
* Doc Worth and Lamont in ''Webcomic/HannaIsNotABoysName'' are [[http://vert-is-ninja.deviantart.com/art/Sorta-Maybe-A-Little-Sorry-159680694 textbook examples]].
** Also, Hanna and Conrad; with Hanna being the nice oblivious one and Conrad as something of a JerkWithAHeartOfGold. Or maybe just a {{Jerkass}}.
** It seems that Worth and Conrad have a strange bastard hybrid of both variants: Worth thinks they're type two, and Conrad is grumpily oblivious. [[http://hanna.aftertorque.com/?p=149 Worth is "keen on" Conrad]], and [[http://hanna.aftertorque.com/?p=626 gets quite shouty about the absence of "Count Fagula"]].
* ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' has Gabe and Tycho, who constantly share petty insults and at times have been shown to violently murder each other.
** Writing TheRant attached to the comic, Both Mike Krahulik (Gabe) and Jerry Holkins (Tycho) have depicted themselves as a parasite riding on the talent of the other.
* In ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' Gilgamesh and Tarvek fluctuate somewhere between "best friends" and "hate each other's guts". Agatha ironically predicted they'll ''like'' each other (due to being NotSoDifferent) before discovering they're already acquainted.
-->'''Gil:''' ''[with Tarvek in a choking hold]'' Listen to ''everything'' this duplicitous snake says!
:: Even funnier during the [[{{Synchronization}} Si Vales Valeo]] sequence.
-->'''Tarvek:''' Snitch.\\
'''Gil:''' Sneak.\\
'''Tarvek:''' Libertine!\\
'''Gil:''' Fop!

* Webcomic/CaseyAndAndy room together, and are best friends since high school. They also kill each other on a regular basis. (not ''try to kill'' but ''kill''). On the other hand, they have saved each other from deadly threats.

* ''Webcomic/OurLittleAdventure'': Rocky and Angelika. They snark and bait each other on a regular basis, but they are obviously very good friends, and have protected each other since before meeting up with Julie and Lenny.
* Dorothy and Elanor in ''Webcomic/KevinAndKell'' tend to be antagonistic to each other (once even indirectly causing a broken hip), due to natural prejudices (Dorothy's a rabbit, Elanor's a wolf), disagreements over how to manage Aby's business, and their mutual granddaughter's diet (Dorothy is trying to push a more vegetarian diet on the naturally omnivorous Coney), but they agree that they are each other's best friends, partially because between old age and predation, they don't really have anyone else left to call friends.

* Anthem and Gilgam in ''Webcomic/TheWaterPhoenixKing'' -- they're really the only two people who can, or would ''dare,'' to tease each other, until recently. Seriously, he's the ReallySevenHundredYearsOld, battle-scarred ProudScholarRaceGuy who helped defeat her people's side in the war, and she's the AxCrazy DarkMagicalGirl who goes [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity Dark Willow]] at the drop of a hat, and they both know all this about each other almost from the start ''and don't care.'' A more perversely-beautiful friendship you could hardly imagine.

* Bear and Tiger certainly have this in [[http://bearandtiger.com/ Bear and Tiger]] where it's taken to the logical extreme that they're both still friends even though they poop in each other's hats... [[http://www.bearandtiger.com/?p=701 No really]].
* ''Comicbook/BuckGodotZapGunForHire'':
** Buck and Whree.
--->'''[[http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buckcomic.php?date=20090110 Ambassador Whree]]:''' I... have never found a sentient I enjoy ''hating'' more than I hate you.
** This works on the scale of species: Klegdixals seems to be easily irritated (it takes a lot to make one say "I... I feel positively ''un''-unhappy!") and have {{jerkass}} reputation in turn. Humans happily [[http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buckcomic.php?date=20080207 drive them mad]] or blackmail, given a chance.
---> I predict that a Klegdixal/Humanity partnership will produce a ''unique'' dynamic, one that to outsiders will appear quite doomed, but...

* Though [[CasanovaWannabe Duster]] and [[KnightInSourArmor Cliff]] from ''Webcomic/SlightlyDamned'' are [[http://www.sdamned.com/2010/01/01272010/ great allies]], they still [[http://www.sdamned.com/2011/02/02192011/ show it]] in [[http://www.sdamned.com/2008/08/08092008/ odd ways.]]
* The [[http://www.commanderkitty.com/crew/ cast page]] of ''Webcomic/CommanderKitty'' paints CK and Socks' relationship as such, though with socks being an IntelligibleUnintelligible, [[http://www.commanderkitty.com/2009/11/29/energize-sounds-better-than-peekaboo/ it's kind of hard to tell on his end]]. CK and Nin Wah [[http://www.commanderkitty.com/2012/11/04/plan-a/ are also shaping up to become this]].
* ''Webcomic/AlfdisAndGunnora'' has Gunnora and Fulla, who swear at and tease each other.
* In ''ComicStrip/{{Nodwick}}'', this dynamic is clear between [[BrainsAndBrawn Yeagar and Arthax]], who consider each other equals but take every opportunity to snipe at the other for being (respectively) DumbMuscle and a MadScientist. Arthax and Nodwick exhibit this dynamic as well, as Arthax seems to respect Nodwick's common sense even though he constantly abuses him. Yeagar and Nodwick are closer to mutual SitcomArchNemesis status: Yeagar is usually the first to go for the "mistreat the henchman" solution, while Nodwick frequently snarks at, belittles and annoys Yeagar with verbal barbs. Although they probably hang out more than any other combination of the group, ComedicSociopathy usually rules the day between them.
* Andrew and Marie-Ange, in addition to being PlatonicLifePartners, are an example of this in ''Webcomic/AutumnBay'', constantly teasing and picking on each other.
* ''Webcomic/TowerOfGod'':
** Twenty-Fifth Bam, Khun Aguero Agnes, and Rak Wraithraiser are the story's core TrueCompanions, but HotBlooded Rak and [[NervesOfSteel coldly calculating]] Khun are always insulting each other and arguing. Rak still acts almost like he did at the start right after he'd been trying to hunt the other two for sport and been forced to team up with them; he'll barely admit to caring about Bam, who's basically a human puppy dog, let alone Khun, who's not very nice at all on the surface and gives as good as he gets.
** Endorsi and Anaak. By the end of the first season, they've been fighting bitterly and ostensibly trying to kill each other, but when Endorsi is given the choice to let Anaak killed for opposing the Jahad Family that Endorsi herself belongs to, she rather chooses to endanger her status by refusing, and to fight a vastly superior opponent.
** Among more side characters, Boro, Daniel, Aka, Sachi and Roen became FireForgedFriends after they boarded the Hell Train several times together, and started going there just to meet each other, but a flashback from their last time on the train shows the three first ones still treating each other with apparent contempt and saying they're sick of seeing the same faces every time.
* Sara and Jane of ''Webcomic/NobodyScores'' (dis)function like this. They're constantly snarking at or pranking each other but they've been friends since high school and are now roommates. The [[ComedicSociopathy horrors inflicted]] on Beans are more an afterthought.
* ''Webcomic/{{Nebula}}'': Mars finds Earth to be intrusive, annoying, and far too invested in everyone else's business, and frequently tells her to go away; she [[IJustWantToHaveFriends just wants to have friends]] and keeps at it anyway, refusing to take it personally. Mars ''does'' care about her though, and when he thinks things are getting outright dangerous he goes to her first to try and warn her before anyone else.
* In ''Webcomic/CobwebAndStripes'', this is the relationship between Betelgeuse and Jacques. It doesn't seem, the way they interact in their earliest scenes together, like they particularly like one another. But as in the [[WesternAnimation/{{Beetlejuice}} cartoon]], Jacques and his wife Ginger are Betelgeuse's only real friends in the Neitherworld and he's actually rather (quietly) fond of them.
* ''Webcomic/StandStillStaySilent'': Lalli towards Emil, especially after their OddFriendship stops running on a platonic version of LanguageOfLove and they can speak to each other. Both Emil and Lalli have some form of NoSocialSkills, but Lalli's are so bad that the average person's BrutalHonesty and InnocentlyInsensitive are normal speech to him. Meanwhile, Emil is in the middle of ironing the "jerk" out of his childhood RichJerk attitude and the "rich" part has lead him to having a sheltered childhood, the combination of the two regularly resulting in behavior that annoys the EnragedByIdiocy Lalli. This results in Lalli regularly being quite vitriolic towards Emil, who in turn has a surprisingly high tolerance towards it.
* ''Webcomic/{{Freefall}}'':
** Sam develops this kind of relationship with almost everyone who's ever met him. The police chief, in particular, seems to respect Sam's cunning and creativity ''almost'' as much as he resents Sam's active hostility to order and willingness to do stupid things for a laugh.
** Henri Mer and Dr. [[spoiler:Bowman]] have a very friendly relationship that is nevertheless laden with verbal sparring. The latter is generally more likely to launch the attacks, but Mer has been known to launch a few salvos in response.
-->'''Henri:''' What are you carrying?\\
'''[[spoiler:Bowman]]:''' Pancakes. Real pancakes. Made with real bananas. I figured this should buy me at least fifteen minutes of unmonitored access before you hit the alarm that I've escaped again.\\
'''Henri:''' You'd get a full half hour if you weren't such a lousy cook.

** One-sided example with Roy Greenhilt and Elan, namely the former with the latter. Roy is often very exasperated and annoyed with Elan's eccentricities, but he still cares alot for his bard and he often gives credit when credit is due to Elan, especially as the latter TakesALevelInBadass. Elan meanwhile has nothing but respect and adoration for Roy, seeing him as like an older brother (which becomes more symbolic when on recalls Roy lost his younger brother, who was a CheerfulChild and hypothesized to have likely ended up as a bard had he grown up.) Though this starred from [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0162.html strip 162]] onwards. Prior to that, Roy saw Elan [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0153.html less as a member of the team, and more as an obstacle they overcame on a regular basis]].

** The Twenty-Fifth Baam, Koon Agero Agnis and Rak Wraithraiser are the story's core TrueCompanions, but HotBlooded Rak and [[NervesOfSteel coldly calculating]] Koon are always insulting each other and arguing. Rak still acts almost like he did at the start right after he'd been trying to hunt the other two for sport and been forced to team up with them; he'll barely admit to caring about Baam, who's basically a human puppy dog, let alone Koon, who's not very nice at all on the surface and gives as good as he gets.
** Androssi and Anak. By the end of the first season, they've been fighting bitterly and ostensibly trying to kill each other, but when Androssi is given the choice to let Anak killed for opposing the Zahard family that Androssi herself belongs to, she rather chooses to endanger her status by refusing, and to fight a vastly superior opponent.

** The Twenty-Fifth Baam, Koon Agero Agnis and Rak Wraithraiser are the story's core TrueCompanions, but HotBlooded Rak and [[NervesOfSteel coldly calculating]] Koon are always insulting each other and arguing. Rak still acts almost like he did at the start right after he'd been trying to hunt the other two for sport and been forced to team up with them; he'll barely admit to caring about Baam, who's basically a human puppy dog, let alone Koon, who's not very nice at all on the surface.

** The Twenty-Fifth Baam, Koon Agero Agnis and Rak Wraithraiser are the story's core TrueCompanions, but HotBlooded Rak and [[NervesOfSteel coldly calculating]] Koon are always insulting each other and arguing. Rak still acts almost like he did right after he'd been trying to hunt the other two for sport and been forced to team up with them; he'll barely admit to caring about Baam, who's basically a human puppy dog, let alone Koon, who's not very nice at all on the surface.

* ''Webcomic/TowerOfGod'' has a plethora of examples. First of all, Koon Aguero Agnis and Rak Wraithraiser are a blue-haired noble and a giant humanoid alligator respectively, and they do not get along from the very start, yet still maintain a bond of trust and rigid understanding after their team is dissolved. And finally, there are Androssi and Anak. By the end of the first season, they've been fighting bitterly and ostensibly trying to kill each other, but when Androssi is given the choice to let Anak killed for opposing the Zahard family that Androssi herself belongs to, she rather chooses to endanger her status by refusing, and to fight a vastly superior opponent.\\
\\
Among more side characters, Boro, Daniel, Aka, Sachi and Roen became FireForgedFriends after they boarded the Hell Train several times together, and started going there just to meet each other, but a flashback from their last time on the train shows the three first ones still treating each other with apparent contempt and saying they're sick of seeing the same faces every time.