The whysoserious website set up to promote Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight has released a sensational new poster with a rather post-9/11 sensibility. The poster features Christian Bale as the caped crusader, poised heroically in front of an apparently burning building onto which the Bat-motif has been carved in flames.

In a publicity-machine that has played avid Batman fans like a harp from hell, this piece of artwork is a killer blow, and perhaps represents best Nolan's attempt to cross over the fantasy of the Batman myth with modern themes and sensibilities.

Even if the film sucks when it opens on the 18th July, the year-long build-up of often-innovative publicity almost qualifies for its own page on the IMDB, and a good rating to boot. And we don't think the film will suck.

UPDATE: Five more posters released. Find them here!