Variety is reporting that the Cartoon Network has ordered 26 episodes of the Marvel Super Hero Squad animated series, which features “super stylized” versions of key Marvel superheroes including Captain America, Hulk, Wolverine, Silver Surfer, and Iron Man.  The new Marvel toon series, which mixes humor with adventure (see “Marvel Super Hero Squad”), will join a potent Cartoon Network lineup that already has the mostly highly rated animated series for boys 6-14, Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

According to Variety, voice talent for the Marvel Super Hero Squad series includes Tom Kenny (Spongebob Squarepants), Steve Blum (Wolverine and the X-Men), Gary DeLisle (The Fairly Oddparents), and Charlie Adler (Transformers).  Hasbro is already producing “super-deformed” (or “super-stylized” if you will) action figures based on the new series, and Marvel is planning to issue a Marvel Super Hero Squad comic book in the fall, when the actual cartoon should be debuting on the Cartoon Network.

The Marvel Super Hero Squad will be the third new Marvel-based toon to premiere in 2009.  Wolverine and the X-Men debuted on Nicktoons in January and posted the highest rated original series premiere ever (see “Wolverine and the X-Men Debut Boffo”), while the Iron Man: Armored Adventures animated series is set to bow on the same cable network this spring.  DC Comics-based superhero cartoons once held a commanding lead over their Marvel brethren in the TV animation category, but by the end of 2009 Marvel will have more than caught up with its rival.