American Gods, by comic scribe Neil Gaiman was awarded the 2002 Hugo Award for best novel at last weekend's World Science Fiction Convention in San Jose, California.  Gaiman, whose best-known comic work was Sandman, was the first writer that made his bones in comics to win the best novel award in its nearly 50-year history.  By winning this award, Gaiman joins such luminaries as Robert Heinlein, Philip K. Dick, Isaac Asimov, and Ursula K. Le Guin in the list of the best science fiction writers ever. 

 

The Hugo Award is named for Hugo Gernsback, 'The Father of Magazine Science Fiction.'  Winners are chosen annually by a popular vote of the members of the World Science Fiction Society and announced at World Con over Labor Day weekend. 

 

In addition to providing a merchandising opportunity for the novel itself, adding a Hugo award to Gaiman's long list of accomplishments makes his next comic work (for Marvel, see 'Marvel Snags Neil Gaiman') even more anticipated by his growing legions of fans.  And it solidifies the new prominence of the writer in comics (see 'Full Circle -- the Comic Writer on Top').  Congrats to Neil for this well-deserved honor.