Teaser: The Question learns of Darkseid's plans in Apokolips.
Main Plot: In a future where Batman married Catwoman and had a son named Damian, the happy couple's lives are slain by an elderly Joker and his new apprentice. Now it's up to Dick Grayson, the new Batman, to stop the two clowns, while the now orphaned Damaian tries to find the courage to avenge his parents by becoming the new Robin.
- And the Adventure Continues: Damian's story ends with him going off to stop robbers as the new Batman alongside his son, the new Robin.
- Ascended Fanboy: The new Joker was just some random nobody that was only too happy to let the original remake him. The original Joker snarks, "Batman's not the only one with fans, y'know!"
- Batman Cold Open: The Question takes center stage, as he infiltrates Apokolips and learns of Darkseid's invasion plans for Earth.
- Book Ends: The episode proper begins with Batman foiling a couple of bank robbers. Alfred's story ends with Damian (now Batman himself) and his son going after bank robbers.
- Casting Gag: The adult version of Damian is voiced by Diedrich Bader, and Damian's son, the new Robin, is voiced by Bader's son.
- Foreshadowing: The Question is on Apokolips, having learned of Darkseid's plans to invade Earth and presumably dying before he can escape.
- History Repeats: Just as how Bruce Wayne watched his parents get murdered, Damian sees his parents get killed by the Joker and his apprentice.
- Joker Immunity: Joker is presumably killed early on in the story, only to turn up as an old man when confronting the Dick Grayson Batman. Joker happily acknowledges this trope.Dick: You're supposed to be dead. How'd you—?
Joker: [shuts Dick's mouth] Oh, who cares? I've been blown up, dropped down smokestacks, fed to sharks! I'm the Joker! I always survive! - Legacy Character: Dick Grayson takes over as Batman for Bruce Wayne, with Damian in turn taking over for him. The Joker remakes a nobody into his likeness, as well, as part of a plan to prevent future Batmen from appearing.
- Mythology Gag:
- Robin's introduction to the story echoes the cover of Detective Comics #38. Him and Batman then beating up crooks and shaking hands is a play on a sequence from the intro to Batman (1966).
- The scene in the future echoes the opening to Batman: The Animated Series, with two thugs blowing up the entrance to a bank and a cape-wearing hero standing on a rooftop.
- Nerves of Steel: The Question openly mocks Kalibak and calmly tips his hat to Parademons that tower over him.
- Noodle Incident: Back in the real world, Batman is heading out to face Catwoman. He simply describes her latest stunt as "another feline-related felony" to Alfred.
- Once Upon a Time: How the episode proper begins, hinting at the final twist of it being Alfred's story.
- Passing the Torch: After Bruce gets married, he passes down the mantle of Batman to Dick, who he passes down to Damian when he comes of age. Also, Damian first inherits the title of Robin before passing it down to his son when he becomes the next Batman.
- Pursued Protagonist: In the teaser, the Question is caught spying on Darkseid and spends the next couple minutes running through the villains' base, eluding or beating up multiple pursuers before being cornered and seemingly deciding it is Better to Die than Be Killed (although the next episode reveals he just faked his death to escape).
- Related in the Adaptation: Damian's mother is Selina rather than Talia al Ghul in this story.
- Secret Secret-Keeper: During the confrontation, the original Joker says he is well-aware that the current Batman is the original Batman's Kid Hero All Grown-Up. Evidently, no one else figured this out, but the Joker boasts he's very smart for a crazy guy.
- Shipper on Deck: Given that Alfred is the author it's safe to assume he wouldn't mind Bruce getting together with Catwoman.
- Shoot the Messenger: According to the Joker, his doctor told him a lifetime of exposing himself to assorted chemicals created a terminal condition.Joker: He gave me six months to live. I gave him six seconds! [laughs]
- Suddenly Voiced: The meta-twist is that Alfred (previously silent in all his prior appearances) is the narrator.
- Wham Shot: After the adult Damian and his son head off to deal with a bank robbery, the scene transitions to Alfred writing in a book.
- What If?: The episode is a tribute to classic imaginary stories of the Silver Age, the Framing Device being that it's a detective story written by Alfred Pennyworth.
