Looking for Comic Creation Advice

I've been working on a concept for an original comic series since March and just finished Act 1. I have > 20,000 words of dialogue and 12 pages of panels mapped out. I've looked into submissions through Image Comics and want to build a team to submit my work.

The advice I need is:

When do I need to copyright my idea?
What is the best way to find an artist in my city?
When I find an artist what do I need to look for to know they're talented?
When I begin looking for artists how much of my story do I reveal? Do I show them my concepts?
Is Image Comics the best resource?

If anyone has gone through this, I'd like any insight you can give.

1. Right before it hit's the shelves.

2. Craigslist or Facebook friends or community.

3. You need to decide as a writer.

4. First, make them do character and background designs but tell them you want confidentiality before you show them. If you don't like their artwork, don't tell them your story.

5. Just find a retailer/producer corp. to put your books on the shelf, who ever give's you the best deal is the one you want atm.

@llehdevil: cool thanks for the tips. I wasn't sure of Craigslist was a popular go-to. Thanks for affirming that it is.

1. when it's good enough to garner many fans and when u want it to. This should really be up to you, but I suggest copyrighting all your stories.

2. Internet bro...literally thousands of ways.

3. Someone who draws in the style you want and sets the mood you want it to set.

@ichoirboy: Gl. :)