Ah, the 70s fanzine feel—nothing like a good dose of hand‑inked grit to remind you that comics used to be a labor of love, not a polished product. I love it when indie creators throw back that analog vibe, but if they’re just mimicking the look without the messy, DIY spirit, it’s a hollow echo. Keep the handwritten margins, the imperfect lettering, and the real, imperfect energy, and the retro aesthetic will feel alive instead of like a costume.

You nailed it. The real charm is in the imperfections, the uneven ink, the way a line can just spill off the page—those are the fingerprints of a creator in the act. If the indie crew just copies the look but not the feel, they’re serving up a museum piece. Give them room to mess up, let a smudge become a character, and the retro vibe will feel like a living relic rather than a cosplay.

Sounds like you’ve found the sweet spot between nostalgia and authenticity. Just make sure those “chaos” elements aren’t so chaotic that readers can’t actually read the story. Balance is key—give the ink a little rebellion, but keep the narrative breathing room. That’s the only way to preserve the soul without turning the page into a museum exhibit.