Batman is wanted as part of new viral campaign

Meriah Doty

Avid Batman fans can now whet their appetite for the July 20th release of Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises."

Part of a newly-launched official viral marketing campaign, the film's site thedarkknightrises.com dons a wanted poster for Batman, issued by Gotham City. Batman is wanted for murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault of a peace officer. Here are more details from the poster:

The anonymous vigilante known as the Batman is responsible for six deaths, including two police officers and District Attorney Harvey Dent. The perpetrator is also wanted for the kidnapping and endangerment of Commissioner James Gordon's family, and the aggravated assaults of several Gotham Police Personnel.

The Batman has never been seen out of his mask and tactical uniform. He has been known to drive a large military-type vehicle, but this vehicle is believed to have been destroyed and abandoned. He has more recently been seen driving a two-wheeled vehicle of an unknown make and model.

The perpetrator is skilled in infiltration, fighting, and evasion. His body armor is believed to be bulletproof & flame-retardant.

[VIDEO: 'The Dark Knight' marketing campaign goes viral]

The film's site hosts an eight-page police report which fans are encouraged to scour for evidence that has been placed at physical locations in the real world. Via Batman's new rap sheet, fans have been instructed to tweet and email visual clues that have been scattered around the globe. The scavenger hunt requires fans to "submit photographic evidence of graffiti related to any movement in support of the vigilante's return."

Some fans are already on the case:

[RELATED: Bane now intelligible in 'The Dark Knight Rises']

"The Dark Knight Rises"—the last in Nolan's trilogy, starring Christian Bale as Batman and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman—will feature two-times the amount of eye-popping IMAX footage than did " The Dark Knight." A new teaser trailer for "Rises" will play ahead of this weekend's "Avengers" screenings nationwide.

Watch 'The Dark Knight Rises' Trailer: