The team behind the incredibly impressive viral campaign from 2008’s The Dark Knight is back at it again with the first steps into viral marketing for the follow-up, The Dark Knight Rises. And their first order of business? Our first look at Tom Hardy as Bane.

But one of the coolest things about this can be found here. It’s a really great way to make yourself a part of the whole experience. By tweeting or facebooking “#thefirerises”, your avatar goes to complete the first image of Bane from The Dark Knight Rises.

One more thing, accompanying a black screen is what appears to be a piece of the score playing when you go to www.thedarkknightrises.com, so definitely check that out as well.

All of this is extremely cool, and has got me even more excited, not only for the film, but also for the viral campaign. This is going to be huge.

But what do you think? Are you excited by this viral marketing? What do you think of Tom Hardy as Bane? I know he doesn’t have the luchador mask, but it still looks pretty freakin’ cool, right?