Matthew Brown Comics Ambient Zero Publications
Comics about the strangeness of life
Matthew Brown Comics Ambient Zero Publications
Comics about the strangeness of life
From Sketch to Page: A Gallery of Comic Book Artwork
Discover Ambient Zero Comics
Meet Matthew Brown
Matthew Brown participated in the Montreal underground comics scene of the early 1990s with Gogo Guy / Éditions Trip Comix and continued upon returning to Toronto, launching his own Ambient Zero Publications.
“Ambient Zero” refers to the ground state of all phenomena—a field of limitless potential.
Brown’s books include FALL SOUND: 4 and 1/2 Songs by Mark E. Smith's THE FALL (2025), Monk: WORK (2025,) TEARS FOR ERIC: The Appearance and Disappearance of Eric Dolphy (2023), ORNETTE SPEAKS: A Cartoon Grammar (2020), ROTHKO: A Comic Strip Memoir (2019), WHAT IS MEDITATION? And Why Should I Do It? (2018), ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT (2016) and FEAR ITSELF: Collected Strips 1988-2008 (2011.)
Jazz Comics - experimental documentary comix on jazz masters
Monk: WORK
TEARS FOR ERIC: The Appearance and Disappearance of Eric Dolphy
TEARS FOR ERIC: The Appearance and Disappearance of Eric Dolphy
An expressionist romp through the stage, the studio and the street with enigmatic piano genius Thelonious Monk (1917-1982). It is a matter of public record that Monk was a founder of the revolutionary jazz style called bebop, along with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and later, Miles Davis.
Monk’s music parades an off
An expressionist romp through the stage, the studio and the street with enigmatic piano genius Thelonious Monk (1917-1982). It is a matter of public record that Monk was a founder of the revolutionary jazz style called bebop, along with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and later, Miles Davis.
Monk’s music parades an offbeat pageantry where the absurdity of life is never mocked or scorned—but rather treated with a sweet delectation and elevation. Artist Matthew Brown’s brush style is gestural and wild. Like the music itself—angular, dissonant, minimal (and emphatically rhythmic) yet warm-hearted.
Like all art that works, it is a mystery.
This is a non-linear, experimental comic--showcasing the time period during which Monk was recording the legendary album "Underground" (1968) with Charlie Rouse on saxophone, Ben Riley on drums and Larry Gales on bass.
TEARS FOR ERIC: The Appearance and Disappearance of Eric Dolphy
TEARS FOR ERIC: The Appearance and Disappearance of Eric Dolphy
TEARS FOR ERIC: The Appearance and Disappearance of Eric Dolphy
Tears for Eric: the Appearance and Disappearance of Eric Dolphy (2023)
Eric Dolphy appeared in 1928 in Los Angeles, California and disappeared in 1964 in Berlin, Germany. During his 36 years on our planet he played the alto saxophone, bass clarinet and flute. On a few occasions, he also played the clarinet and piccolo. He performed with av
Tears for Eric: the Appearance and Disappearance of Eric Dolphy (2023)
Eric Dolphy appeared in 1928 in Los Angeles, California and disappeared in 1964 in Berlin, Germany. During his 36 years on our planet he played the alto saxophone, bass clarinet and flute. On a few occasions, he also played the clarinet and piccolo. He performed with avantgarde luminaries such as John Coltrane, Charles Mingus and Ornette Coleman. His recordings reveal the traces of a brilliant comet, burning with invention, knowledge and passion. Those who knew him remarked on his kindness and generosity. Facing discrimination in the larger society for the colour of his skin and within the jazz community for his nonconformist exploration, he relocated to Europe… where he shortly collapsed and died, from undiagnosed diabetes. But, who was he? Who was he? Who?
Aah… the music.
Matthew Brown, author and artist of “ORNETTE SPEAKS: A Cartoon Grammar,” continues his experimental comics documentary work with “TEARS FOR DOLPHY: The Appearance and Disappearance of Eric Dolphy.” Including a comics introduction explaining how the author discovered Eric Dolphy’s music, an impressionistic biography of poignant scenarios from Eric’s life, a song-by-song surrealist exploration of Eric’s masterpiece album “Out to Lunch!”, and exquisite drawings from historical photos, interspersed with quotations by and about Eric Dolphy.
An excellent introduction to Eric Dolphy’s work – and a valuable addition to the slim literature available on this giant of the human and jazz world.
ORNETTE SPEAKS: A Cartoon Grammar
TEARS FOR ERIC: The Appearance and Disappearance of Eric Dolphy
ORNETTE SPEAKS: A Cartoon Grammar
Ornette Speaks: A Cartoon Grammar (2020) ORNETTE SPEAKS illustrates the words which avantgarde saxophone genius and composer Ornette Coleman (1930-2015) spoke in filmed interviews. He coined the term 'free jazz' in 1960 and delivered fresh, aggressive blues-flavored jazz for decades. Generated in a spontaneous process using a 4x4 panel
Ornette Speaks: A Cartoon Grammar (2020) ORNETTE SPEAKS illustrates the words which avantgarde saxophone genius and composer Ornette Coleman (1930-2015) spoke in filmed interviews. He coined the term 'free jazz' in 1960 and delivered fresh, aggressive blues-flavored jazz for decades. Generated in a spontaneous process using a 4x4 panel grid within a square layout (like and LP or CD sleeve,) the book emulates jazz music's use of improvisation on basic forms. Ornette's life, music and philosophy are a joyful victory over racism and conformity.
Meditation - documentary books on meditation masters
WHAT IS MEDITATION? And Why Should I Do It?
EVERYTHING ARISES FROM AWARENESS: The Teachings of Korim Frederick Prack
EVERYTHING ARISES FROM AWARENESS: The Teachings of Korim Frederick Prack
What is Meditation? And Why Should I Do It? (2018)
WHAT IS MEDITATION? features "live" comics interviews with modern masters Edward “Edji” Muzika (USA) and Frederick Prack (Canada)--two teachers who bring the authentic value of introspection and healing into focus! It contains playful and powerful graphic interpretations of both Ed and F
What is Meditation? And Why Should I Do It? (2018)
WHAT IS MEDITATION? features "live" comics interviews with modern masters Edward “Edji” Muzika (USA) and Frederick Prack (Canada)--two teachers who bring the authentic value of introspection and healing into focus! It contains playful and powerful graphic interpretations of both Ed and Fred’s sixty plus years each of life experience, exploration and realization in meditation. Also sporting renderings of Hindu and Buddhist spiritual concepts and cameos from the Buddha, Lao Tzu, Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj and others. This is one of the few graphic novels to propose a mature and playful exploration of meditation.Having practiced meditation for more than 20 years, cartoonist Matthew Brown mixes autobiography with comix reportage to produce a unique take on the mysteries and practices of meditation.
EVERYTHING ARISES FROM AWARENESS: The Teachings of Korim Frederick Prack
EVERYTHING ARISES FROM AWARENESS: The Teachings of Korim Frederick Prack
EVERYTHING ARISES FROM AWARENESS: The Teachings of Korim Frederick Prack
Everything Arises from Awareness: The Teachings of Korim Frederick Prack (2025)
Fred Prack (October 2, 1943-February 9, 2024) was, in my opinion, an enlightened being, teacher, healer and, most importantly, friend. He was a householder – he had two sons, Aaron and Jason – and through his life he had many jobs, both within and without sp
Everything Arises from Awareness: The Teachings of Korim Frederick Prack (2025)
Fred Prack (October 2, 1943-February 9, 2024) was, in my opinion, an enlightened being, teacher, healer and, most importantly, friend. He was a householder – he had two sons, Aaron and Jason – and through his life he had many jobs, both within and without spiritual disciplines. Among them he had worked in advertising, lighting and visual effects for film, operating a health food store, and he was a Registered Massage Therapist, hypnotherapist and psychotherapist. He also taught Transcendental Meditation for 29 years, and when I met him and knew him, he was a long-standing member of the Zen Buddhist Temple in Toronto.
More than that, he had a kind word and empathy for everybody. He saved my life, certainly, when I was at my wits’ end. At his life memorial ceremony at the Zen Buddhist Temple, it became evident that had illuminated and empowered the lives of many others as well.
Fred asked me to proofread a manuscript he had written, meant to be part of a series: “The Wholeness Life Meditation Manual” (1996.) My approved revision from 2014 is included here in its entirety. Also included are two extensive interviews from 2011 and 2016. The latter formed the basis for a graphic novel I wrote and drew presenting Fred’s teachings, “What is Meditation? And Why Should I Do It?” (2018.) The present volume also contains Fred’s writings for various websites and personal emails, and my own summary of his teachings.
I believe and hope Fred’s words can help heal the world.
- Matthew Brown (Editor), Toronto, 2025
“What is needed to resolve and quell the mounting waves of fear and suffering girdling the world, is Awakening to pure Awareness, Buddha Nature, unconditional Love and Compassion.
What each of us can do from the deepest level, of what we are, is infinitely more powerful than the fears that keep minds constricted and focused on the surface where perspective is lost and fear holds sway over everything.
If people around the world can touch that reality within themselves and begin to know it as themselves, I know we can heal what is happening to all the life that is this planet. I believe this is where real peace begins.”
- Fred Prack