Java is pretty easy, more easy than that you can try Actionscript with Flashpunk or Flixel and the easiest PureBasic, BlitzMax or MonkeyX

This is really interesting thanks

Paperdoll Sprites will help you to assemble, organize and visualize your sprites, export sprite-sheets (combined and with clothes) and gif's.
I'm planning to add editing features with layers in the next releases but on the initial release of the application editing is not planned.

http://igg.me/p/291132