In an interview with Comic Book Resources, new Winter Soldier writer Jason Latour (best known for his 12 Gauge Comics creator owned series, Loose Ends) has discussed his plans for the series. Fans were disappointed to hear that Ed Brubaker would be stepping down (he recently revealed that the title was going to be cancelled before a sudden increase in interest granted it a reprieve), especially as he's the one who brought him back and made him one of THE most interesting characters in the Marvel Universe. The cover below is by Declan Shalvey, although there's currently no word on who will be pencilling the series when the current creative team departs. Be sure to click on the link at the bottom of the page in order to read the interview in full.
On How He Managed To Land The Job Of Writing Winter Soldier:
I was surprised to get the chance, simply because I didn't think this character would ever be in play. Brubaker's work on this character has been great. He's really built such a strong and compelling foundation-- that when the possibility was introduced my mind went off like a nuclear test site. As for how it came about -- I'd drawn a few stories for my editor, Lauren Sankovitch, in the past and I'd made it clear I was interested in writing for hire, too. Fortunately she seemed to like my creator-owned work and when the time came to cast the book she asked me if I would be interested.
On Where He Will Take Bucky Once Ed Brubaker Concludes His Run:
At first glance Bucky is a man struggling with what seems like two very polar sides of his nature. But if you read at the great origin stuff Brubaker, [Marc] Andreyko and [Chris] Samnee did -- it's pretty clear that the makings of the Winter Soldier were there all along. He did some awful things for the Soviets, but if things play out differently who's to say he wouldn't have committed those atrocities for the U.S.? So one of the things I'm seeking to delve into is -- what exactly is the line? Where and when does Bucky Barnes end and the Winter Soldier begin? There may not be an answer to that question -- and that possibility is a very scary thing he'll try to face and learn to live with.
On His Plans To Continue Exploring The Character Of Bucky:
A darkness has washed over The Dude -- Like I said, it's the pain that sticks. He's done some awful things -- things that he'd like to believe were independent of his control. But when Cap fixed his mind with the Cosmic Cube, it's telling that he used the phrase "Remember who you are." That didn't just return him to "Gee wilikers, Cap, I sure like pinball" Bucky -- it kept intact a lot of memories he'd rather have seen erased. Recently his past has come home to roost -- and each time he found himself asking what his role in creating the situation was. It's made him feel very powerless. People he loves keep getting thrown into harm's way, and he's trying to look in the mirror and see how much of it is his old habits. Who he works for is just where he starts.
On Who Else We Should Expect To See In The Series:
A few members of everyone's favorite spy organization will still be lurking around, pulling puppet strings and shooting darts in people's necks and what not. Cap and Black Widow are such staples -- could I get away with Razorback? Maybe flying the Helicarrier? Chiefly it's going to focus around a new threat and a new ally. Two people who were once caught in the Winter Soldier's swath. Our big antagonist is a new take on Bucky's rogues' gallery in the sense that she's the first indirect casualty of his actions. She's got plans much larger than revenge, but their personal connection is going to make things very complicated for Bucky.