Exclusive: Sam Humphries On 'Star-Lord And Kitty Pryde'

She's a brilliant young mutant who grew up in the superhero game. He's a roguish adventurer from the wrong side of the universe. Together, Kitty Pryde and Star-Lord are one of the most surprising and popular new couples in the Marvel Universe, known to their fans as 'Starkat'. But now, with the coming of Secret Wars, their universe is ending, and that's a big challenge for any relationship.

ComicsAlliance can exclusively reveal that the next stage of the Starkat story will take place in a new Secret Wars 'Battleworld' book called Star-Lord And Kitty Pryde, written by Legendary Star-Lord writer Sam Humphries, and drawn by Marvel newcomer Alti Firmansyah, with the first issue cover by Yasmine Putri.

Although the book sees Kitty and Peter together, the merged universes of Battleworld means that it may not be quite the Kitty and Peter that readers expect, especially on the heels of Humphries' current X-Men//Guardians of the Galaxy crossover event, The Black Vortex.

Here's how Marvel describes the book:

STAR-LORD AND KITTY PRYDE--finally in their own series together! But are they TOGETHER together?! And is this the Kitty Pryde that Peter loves or one from a completely different reality. This series takes place right in the thick of things on BATTLEWORLD and is sure to be a wild ride!

We spoke to Humphries to learn more --- but he could only tell us so much!

ComicsAlliance: To the surprise of no-one, Secret Wars is full of secrets. What can you tell us about your Battleworld book, Star-Lord And Kitty Pryde?

Sam Humphries: Star-Lord And Kitty Pryde is packed with Battleworld secrets, and if I say any out loud, the Thors will be all over my butt for breaking my NDA.

I can say that the Kitty Pryde of the title is actually the Kitty Pryde from Age of Apocalypse. I can say this story takes place on Battleworld. I can say it is an action romantic comedy with some big, huge moments between the characters. Emotionally and spiritually, this is the continuation of the Peter/Kitty relationship from Legendary Star-Lord --- with a couple really huge twists you won't see coming. Whatever is about to happen, Peter and Kitty won't be able to go back to the way they were after this.

CA: What can't you tell us? (You can tell me; I promise I'll only tell our readers.)

SH: I can't tell you where on Battleworld this book is taking place. I can't tell you what brings these characters together, and what happens next. And there's a secret I can't even allude to, even though it's staring everyone right in the face. Those would all be spoilers for Secret Wars.

I also can't tell you the huge thing that happens to Peter and Kitty right before Secret Wars --- because that would be a spoiler for Black Vortex. But it's monumental for their relationship, and... well, all I can promise to everyone is, I wrote both characters as honestly as possible. And then I let the chips fall where they may. Que sera, sera.

The #Starkat fans have been begging to know what the status of Peter and Kitty's romance is gonna be during Secret Wars. This is the secret I couldn't talk about. But I know this announcement is only going to raise more questions than answers for them...

CA: Pete and Kitty were an unexpected couple when they first came together. What do you think makes them work?

SH: Peter is a scoundrel with a heart of gold. Kitty is a devoted teacher who craves adventure. They bring out the hidden parts of themselves that yearn to be understood and satisfied.

CA: Between Brian Michael Bendis's take on the character and Chris Pratt's performance in Guardians Of The Galaxy, and now your run on Legendary Star-Lord, Peter Quill is a much goofier guy than when he was first introduced. Do you hear Chris Pratt's voice in your head when you're writing him?

SH: No, I have my own Peter in my head. The comic book Peter and the movie Peter are compatible, but very different. For one, the comic book Peter has found love. Whether or not love lasts, it changes a person forever. So this is a song on comic book Peter's Walkman that you wouldn't find on movie Peter's Walkman:

CA: If your Pete doesn't sound like Chris Pratt, does your Kitty sound like Aubrey Plaza?

SH: They'd probably roll their eyes at each other so hard, but their bookshelves would have a lot in common.

CA: Including the Ultimate Universe, Kitty has now dated four men named Peter --- Colossus, Pete Wisdom, Spider-Man and Star-Lord. Is this evidence of an Illuminati conspiracy, and when is she getting together with Paste-Pot Pete?

SH: The answer to this question is actually contained in Black Vortex: Alpha, the first chapter of the runaway Marvel event blockbuster, Black Vortex! I am beyond gratified to report that every single chapter of The Black Vortex has sold out and gone back to second printings. The story has hooked people and new readers are demanding to get involved. And the epic-scale cosmic insanity is just beginning... wise readers are advised to pre-order.

Other potential suitors for Kitty: Peter Capaldi, Peter Tosh, Peter Paul Rubens.

CA: I've never seen Alti Firmansyah's work before, but she seems like an exciting discovery! What does she bring to this book?

SH: Alti is a huge find --- I know she's going to be very in demand once people see her work on this book. Her work is lively and dynamic, and her facial expressions are so vivid --- hilarious and heartbreaking. She's the perfect match for a romantic comedy where nothing is quite what it seems. I am really psyched to have her on board.

Star-Lord And Kitty Pryde #1 goes on sale June 2015.