Gilles de Rais, Joan of Arc's comrade-in-arms, Marshal of France and confessed child murderer, has inspired a number of artistic and cultural works.
As early as the 15th century, the character appeared in a mystery play and a prose poem. He then underwent a long eclipse in cultural representations, before folklore transfigured him into Bluebeard.
From the 19th century onwards, literature revived the character, and cinema followed with films dedicated to the Maid of Orléans. Finally, comics and anime illustrate contemporary visions of the Marshal de Rais.