The book, published by Dead Reckoning (an imprint of the U.S. Naval Institute), includes an afterword by Ennis that clarifies which elements of the story are historical fact and where he took creative liberties to create a cohesive narrative for his protagonists. The Stringbags - GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW - Comics Bookcase

The graphic novel , written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by P.J. Holden, follows a fictional three-man Royal Navy crew— Archie, Ollie, and Pops —as they pilot the Fairey Swordfish through three of its most legendary World War II engagements . Nicknamed the "Stringbag" because it could carry almost anything, this underpowered biplane was an obsolete relic in an era of high-speed monoplanes, yet it achieved feats that defied modern military logic.

: The veteran gunner who has served in the Royal Navy for ten years without ever being promoted. Three Historic Battles

A recurring theme throughout the book is the unlikely effectiveness of the Swordfish. Because the planes were so slow—with a top speed of "not very much"—enemy gunners often over-calculated their lead, firing far ahead of the slow-moving biplanes. Additionally, they were so lightweight that barrage balloon cables sometimes failed to cut through them, allowing them to survive conditions that would destroy faster, modern aircraft.

: The crew participates in the surprise attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto. This mission famously proved that aircraft carriers had rendered massive battleships vulnerable, even when attacked by "creaky" biplanes.

The story centers on an "unlucky" crew who, due to administrative oversights and a constant shuffle between squadrons, never received the promotions or rest they were due:

: A mediocre pilot whose budding ambition eventually changes the trio's destiny.

: The trio joins the desperate effort to stop the pride of the German fleet. In a pivotal moment of the war, Swordfish torpedoes famously jammed the Bismarck's rudder , leaving the titan vulnerable to the British fleet.