Wouldn't it make more sense, especially the first time around, to do a one time short story -15-20 page to see how to like the "feel" of collaboration and if you are in sync with the writer.
Anyone can call themselves a writer nowadays, though it's funny, that there are more writer, less artist, but art grab readers, while writer keeps reader.
They sort of inverse on each other later on ahahaah.
Oh yes, back to what I was saying, you might want to do a small collaboration first. Three thing to focus on the first run around is the feel of making comic strips, collaboration, and the individual partner.
Hmm... fine arts. You have a fine art degree but do you draw in simliar style? I've never seen a comic book using that style of art before, especially not one like in the marvel and dc universe.
By the way, if you don't find the writer that is right for you, here is a little
short story if you ever wanted to try out creating a comic if you haven't done one already.
http://greybubblegum.deviantart.com/art/Shine-355716108 (short story, it's not dark but it does have vivid details)
http://greybubblegum.deviantart.com/art ... 1409200275 (synopsis, darker tone)
p.s. I'm a designer (web) that work for several marketing department and it seems as though the new trend, are anime-ish style of storytelling and artwork. I think that market is going to grow more and more, with many site like tapastic.com and inkblazers.com, so you might be able to make a few bucks here in there depending on your comic. Just food for thought.
If you have your own story, I think you should just go ahead and start drawing it, you probably won't need a writer. Most collaboration tend to be between artist who wants to enjoy drawing a story that they like and leave the writing to the writer. I don't think most artist (who have an idea for their own story) knows that a writer won't do much for them. I say go for it.
Beside, there no way of telling if a writer is good or not good, other then reading their stories and having "a good feeling" about them lol. With art, it's easier to determine that.