I have a grid of 16 SKCropNode objects. Each contains a SKShapeNode used as a mask, and a SKSpriteNoe. In this image with the mask not set you can see all 16 object appear in a grid.
https://github.com/soggybag/Grid
Interaction is strange also. Tapping makes the image sprite move down and disappear moving out of the mask. You can tap the area below the orange, where a sprite would be hidden, and it recognizes the tap event.
Even stranger you not tap the sprite in the upper right?