[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/carrie_matt_and_nick.png]]
Three young Batman fans discuss what they think he's really like, unknowingly stumbling into an arson by the villain Firefly. Based off UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks and ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns''.

----
!!Tropes:

* ActionGirl: Carrie is braver than the others, and is based off Robin (who she plays in her story) from ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns''.
* AmbiguouslyGay: One of the kids, named Joel, is a not so subtle parody of Creator/JoelSchumacher, who actually was gay. He has pretty feminine mannerisms and seems to have some erotic fixation on Batman.
* AndImTheQueenOfSheba: Carrie's reaction as the first story is introduced:
-->'''Matt:''' He's got a lot of cool equipment, and he and Robin are real funny.\\
'''Carrie:''' And my dad's a spy with the CIA.
* ArtShift: Each story has its own visual style which corresponds to different past incarnations of the Batman character.
* BadassAdorable:
** Before the Joker incapacitates him in Matt's story, Robin successfully takes down several mooks using oversized instruments.
** Carrie's version of Robin can also go toe-to-toe with Mutant gangs while armed with a slingshot.
* BarrierBustingBlow: Batman does this to a mook in a sequence based on ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns''.
* BatmanGrabsAGun: Carrie's version of Batman assures her that the tank's bullets are rubber. Honest.
* BigDamnHeroes:
** Dark Knight Batman to Robin in the second act ([[BroadStrokes it was actually a child the Mutants took hostage in the comic]]).
** Robin to Batman, providing a distraction so he can take the Mutant leader apart.
** Batman to the kids after Firefly torches the theater.
* BlastingItOutOfTheirHands: A thrown batarang is clearly shown ''lodged in the mook's hand''. This is a sequence homageing ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'', which has that happen regularly.
* BroadStrokes: {{Flanderiz|ation}}ed and inaccurate versions are told of Batman's [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] adventures and ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'' respectively.
* CastingGag: Creator/MichaelIronside voices the ''[[ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns Dark Knight Returns]]'' version of Batman, who was also voicing Darkseid in ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'' at the same time ''BTAS'' was airing.
* CasualDangerDialogue: Dark Knight Batman and Robin engage in his; after he saves her, Robin asks sarcastically if he figured she had all night. Then when the mutants fire on their tank, Batman only remarks, "Kids these days. No respect."
* ColdBloodedTorture: The operating table scene from ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'' makes the cut! Robin/Carrie is apparently quite impressed by this scene.
* CombatPragmatist:
** In line with Matt's story, Joker acts this way towards Batman and Robin, ambushing Robin in a sneak attack when the latter is distracted.
** Carrie's version of Batman uses military power and brute force.
* DynamicEntry: In the ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'' section, Batman first appears by crashing through a wall to grab a thug.
* FormulaBreakingEpisode: Kids tell each other what Batman is ''really'' like -- one says he's like the Dick Sprang version from the 50s, one argues for the style of ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'', and all dismiss the kid who likes [[Film/BatmanAndRobin Joel Schumacher's version]].
* {{Homage}}:
** The first sequence is a homage to the Silver Age Batman comics.
** One of the sequences is an homage to ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns''.
* IllKillYou: The sequence taken from ''Dark Knight Returns'' that used this phrase.
-->'''Mutant Leader:''' [[HulkSpeak I KILL YOU! I EAT YOUR HEART! I SHOW YOU WHO RULES GOTHAM CITY!]]\\
'''Batman:''' Alright, son. Show me.
* InstrumentOfMurder: The 1950s' ''Batman'' has a giant piano DeathTrap, as well as other musical implements used as weapons.
* MotiveDecay: Back on his [[Recap/TheNewBatmanAdventuresE10TorchSong first appearance]], Firefly wanted revenge against his ex-girlfriend. Now he's an arsonist for hire. As with The Mad Hatter [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE65TheWorryMen previously]], Batman calls him on this, and he tries to justify it, saying "Fire needs fuel. Chemicals are expensive."
* MythologyGag:
** Carrie is modeled on Carrie Kelly, the Robin from ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'', and she retells a section of that series.
** The 4th child is an [[AmbiguouslyGay effeminate]] boy named [[Film/BatmanAndRobin Joel]] standing under a sign that says "[[Creator/JoelSchumacher Shoemaker]]", who talks about how Batman wears [[Film/BatmanForever rubber]] [[Film/BatmanAndRobin armor]] and has a car that can drive up walls. [[TakeThat The other kids dismiss his theories, and him, out of hand.]]
* RashomonEffect: The different versions of Batman told by the kids. Referenced at the end when the kids witness Batman himself battling the pyromaniac villain Firefly -- each of them concludes that what they saw proves that their version is the accurate one.
* SelfDeprecation: The show pokes fun at some of Batman's campier eras and periods.
* SelfInsertFic: Carrie apparently puts herself in her story in the role of Robin, under the assumption that Robin is a girl. Also somewhat doubles as an inversion since her name and design are both lifted straight from Carrie Kelly, who actually was a female Robin in ''[[ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns The Dark Knight Returns]]'', which her section is modeled after.
* ShoutOut:
** Aside from the homages that are used to tell the story, at the beginning one of the boys describes Batman as an inhuman monster. The girl says he needs a reality check. She is based off Robin in ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'', who says the same thing when her friend describes Batman the same way after he saves them from mutants.
** The episode resembles a classic comic book story ("The Batman Nobody Knows") where kids around a campfire tell each other -- and a bemused Bruce Wayne -- their different takes on Batman. [[WordOfGod According to the]] DVDCommentary, this is an accidental resemblance caused by coming up with the same basic idea independently.
* ShownTheirWork: Unlike the original comic, the TDKR version of Batman makes sure his rubber bullets ricochet off the ground before striking their targets; this is how they are meant to be used as doing so reduces the risk of permanent injury and even death.
* StupidestThingIveEverHeard: The kids find the first boy's story ridiculous. One of them even scoffs at the idea of Batman calling Robin "[[Series/Batman1966 old chum]]". They are even more dismissive of [[Film/BatmanAndRobin Joel's version]].
* StylisticSuck: The segment based on the 1950s era. The synchronization between lip flaps and dialogue is poor, the background music cuts between tracks suddenly, and the animation quality fluctuates wildly.
* TakeThat: The group scoff at a fourth boy who loves Batman's muscles and leather armor and claims the Batmobile can drive up walls. He is extremely flamboyant, is standing outside a [[Film/BatmanForever Shoemaker]] store, and his name is [[Film/BatmanAndRobin Joel.]] Creator/JoelSchumacher was [[ActuallyPrettyFunny actually amused]] by the reference.
* UnreliableNarrator: Invoked by the group concerning the first boy's story, which he heard from his uncle. The uncle was a security guard who happened to witness one of Batman's exploits but it turns out he was hit with KnockoutGas early in the fight and missed the whole thing.
-->'''Carrie:''' The whole story's bogus, your uncle was asleep half the time!\\
'''Matt:''' Well, like I said, that's how he tells it.
%%* VignetteEpisode
* WouldHurtAChild: Firefly has no problem killing the kids when he sets the blaze.

----