Residents of France's second-largest city Marseille have called on Batman for help after a recent surge in violent crime.
The mock online petition and Facebook page, entitled "Will It Take Batman To Save Marseille?", comes after a pensioner was shot dead last week trying to stop a robbery, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Marseille has also seen 13 gang-related killings this year, many thought to be linked to the drugs trade.
Criminal gangs are increasingly using heavy duty weapons such as AK-47 assault rifles, thought to arrive in the city through its Mediterranean Sea port.
The government has said it is sending in 130 extra riot police - who will be patrolling streets by the end of August - as well as 24 more detectives.
