After teaming with comic book legend Stan Lee to create a special cartoon that opens her set on her current tour, Mary J. Blige has announced plans to spin the animated short off into an Internet-based series.

The deal is similar to one that the Backstreet Boys signed with Stan Lee Media earlier this year (see [article id="1425172"]"Backstreet Boys, Stan Lee To Launch Super Hero Comic"[/article]). Blige will lend her voice to the animated "Webisodes," and has already contributed ideas for storylines and characters during development meetings.

I am thrilled to be working with Stan Lee and his talented staff," Blige said in a statement. "Having been raised on the hard streets of the city, in my case Yonkers, the chance to be transformed into a 'Protector Of The 'Hood' sends a powerful message to my fans that your community is what you make of it, that you can be a super hero every day.

Stan Lee Media plans to expand the Mary J. Blige

"hip-hop super heroine" concept to include various other media, including such outlets as TV, print, and film.

The "Mary J. Blige" Web-based series is expected to launch on StanLee.net in the fall, and the site has already set up a preview area where fans can get a glimpse at the character design as well as the video that is currently being shown prior to Blige's concerts.

In the clip, a highly stylized Blige battles various criminals and miscreants around an inner-city neighborhood and demonstrates several super powers, including the ability to fly and a sonic scream capable of shredding concrete.

Meanwhile, Blige is currently a month into her summer "Mary" tour, which is scheduled to roll in to Newark, New Jersey on Friday night (see [article id="1426119"]"Mary J. Blige Plans Summer Tour"[/article]).