There are lots of dot matrix graphics LCD displays available on the surplus market.
I would not consider getting one without a controller unless you had some very unusual need to do so. There is no practical way I know of to control a VGA or XGA screen either. The T6963 controller accounts for 90% of the graphics displays out there. SED1330 is probably the next most common. I've written for both.
You need to consider what backlighting, if any, you need, and B/W or color, and if you need grayscales. The low end market doesn't have much for greyscale. You may have difficulty getting samples, but like I say, there's plenty out there on the surplus market and eBay, often the same ones you'd get from a vendor.