Flog notes that Gary Panter’s JIMBO’S INFERNO has won an American Book Award, presented each year by the Before Columbus Foundation for books of merit.

The American Book Awards were created to provide recognition for outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s diverse literary community. The purpose of the awards is to recognize literary excellence without limitations or restrictions.

This is the second Fantagraphics book to garner an ABA — Joe Sacco’s Palestine was a recipient in 1996, and the award at that time very much helped solidfy Palestine’s place in the pantheon of great graphic novels. Here’s hoping Panter’s has a similar affect, I can’t think of a more deserving artist.