Jason R. Latham - Sunbelt Digital Media

Vandals might think they're funny, but Judge Stefany Miley isn't laughing.

The candidate for District Court 23 became the target of "Bat-mania" over the weekend, when a campaign sign was covered in paint and the judge's face was altered with a bright red "joker smile."

Miley's name was transformed to "Smiley" and at one point the word "judge" had been replaced with "joker."

If only Batman were here to round up these ruffians. 

The graffiti is an obvious reference to the blockbuster film "The Dark Knight" and follows a viral marketing campaign that encouraged fans to submit online photos of their faces covered in clown makeup.

That added more hype to the film, which grossed a record-breaking $155.34 million in its first weekend.

Metro Police Detective Scott Black says graffiti is something every candidate must "take into consideration" when running for office.  Most assume its going to happen and have a plan to replace damaged signs.

This is the first instance of Joker-related vandalism that Black has heard about, and he did express concern that it could continue.  "We might have some guys that are enthusiastic about the movie and it might pick up," he said.

According to Metro, graffiti is the most common criminal complaint from the public to the police department.

Miley isn't the first victim of a Joker-related prank.  Police in Syracuse, New York suspect Bat-fans to be responsible for a recent string of vandalism.  The culprits left Joker playing cards at the crime scene, mirroring a scene from the film.

Last week a San Antonio news station was evacuated after receiving a chocolate cake wired to look like a bomb.  The cake was part of a promotion for the film.