Geekscape Comics: Jason Latour Taking Over Writing Duties On ‘Winter Soldier’

Well, in a very surprising announcement earlier today, Marvel Comics revealed at Fan Expo Canada that Ed Brubaker will be leaving Winter Soldier effective January 2013. As of issue #15 he will be replaced by Jason Latour (Loose Ends) on writing duties. Latour is probably best known as an artist, having worked on issues of Wolverine, Scalped and Invincible.

In an interview with Comic Book Resources when asked about how he received the opportunity:

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.

And in regards to his upcoming story for Winter Soldier:

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.

Ed Brubaker commented regarding his departure on Twitter:

To end all speculation: Cap 19 and Winter Soldier 14 are my last Marvel books for now. But I may return, because Marvel has been my home.

My next comic project, beside Fatale, will be announced in December or January. And you’ll sh*t when you hear about it. In YOUR PANTS.

When it was recently announced that Brubaker would be leaving Captain America, he talked a good deal about heading creator owned mostly, but indicated that he would stick around on Winter Soldier for a while. This news is sure to disappoint many who have loved what Brubaker has done with this character since bringing him back from the dead in 2005.