John de Lancie at UK's first My Little Pony convention

Star Trek: The Next Generation's John de Lancie is the Guest of Honour at Britain's first ever 'Brony' convention in August, taking place in Manchester, celebrating all things My Little Pony.

While My Little Pony may not seem our usual purview, the franchise has an incredible following and, of course, its own British magazine titles, so we're happy to give this event a plug. The team behind it are enthusiastic and determined to make the show a great event set to take place on the 18th - 19th of August 2012 in Manchester.

Known in My Little Pony fandom for voicing the lord of chaos Discord, John de Lancie is also known in the wider community for his role as Q in Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as appearances in many other shows, such as Stargate SG1, Torchwood, Breaking Bad, and Johnny Quest. John will be answering questions, signing autographs, and filming his Brony documentary at the con.

More info:

- Official web site: http://bronyuk.org/

- UKofEquestria Forum: http://ukofequestria.co.uk/threads/welcome-to-the-brony-uk-convention-forum.1138/

LCD Publishing launches "It's For Boys"

Exeter-based LCD Publishing will launch a new title aimed at 5-7 year-old boys this Friday (22nd June 2012).

It’s For Boys, a new 13 issue a year title priced £2.50 is, according to distributors COMAG, “designed to make learning fun for boys, every issue will be crammed full of activities, stories and games using some of the most popular TV characters around."

Every issue of the 32-page It’s For Boys title will include numbering, spelling, counting, matching and observational activities designed to educate and entertain early-learners.

Featuring characters such as Garfield, Scooby-Doo, Spider-Man, Mr. Bean and Spongebob Squarepants, the publishers hope It’s For Boys will encourage young boys that learning can be fun.

As is almost the norm these days, every issue will have a covermounted gift. Number 1 will come with three great racing cars.

We can only assume that if this is a success the publishers, whose titles include Pony World and Action GTX, will look at other titles in the same vein. Surely It's For Girls can't be far behind?

Morrison one of three authors to gain Queen's Birthday honour

Congratulations to Grant Morrison, who has been awarded an MBE, recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List (pdf) "for services to film and literature".

The annual list was published this weekend and saw just three authors - crime writer Susan Hill, poet Jean Binta Breeze and Grant, who is perhaps best known today for his work for the US market such as The Invisibles, New X-Men, Doom Patrol. His recent work includes DC Comics Action Comics and the newly-relaunched Batman Incorporated.

Needless to say, some in the comics community have expressed surprise at the news, given the nature of much of his work.

"Little surprising perhaps that a man so rooted in anti-establishment ideas, and writer of some controversial comics would be honoured this way, and would accept the honour," says Joe Gordon over at the Forbidden Planet International blog of the 52-year-old Scottish writer. "But what the hell. Congratulations Grant."

Indeed. One of three authors to get an honour? That's impressive in itself, surely.

An MBE is the lowest rank in the Order of the British Empire, established in 1917, the youngest of the British Empire's chivalry orders. It's handed out to people who in one field or another have provided a service to the UK.

Skilleter releases 'Sarah Jane' charity print

Artist Andrew Skilleter has released Sarah Jane Tribute Charity Print, donating a set sum from each and every print sale to supporting the Macmillan (Cancer) Nurses, £2.50 on an A4 size print, and £5 on an A3 size print.

The print celebrates the Doctor Who character portrayed by the late Elisabeth Sladen, who died last year.

You can also choose to have a Remarque Edition if you wish and Andrew will add a drawing, donating an extra £5.

"Please try and support this - let’s raise some money," asks Andrew. The image posted here is deliberately watermarked the image here to encourage as many of you as possible to buy the print which is not!

- More info: http://andrewskilleter.com