Zack Snyder’s new film Watchmen, based on the celebrated graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons has inspired fanatic, sometimes rabid fan support carried through viral marketing. But recent photos snapped around US cities like the one here taken in New York City begs the question:  Ingenious studio marketing or crazed fanboy vandals losing control of their sense of property and law?

I opt to believe the latter.  It is doubtful that studios would go through the trouble of spending hefty sums of cash for what will be seen by relatively few consumers.  It also seem unlikey that local business owners would consent to the defacing of their property even if paid hansomely.

Whatever the motive or the source, suspense is building for the release of 2009’s most anticipated film which finally hits wide release March 6.