iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Meet one of the new commanders in Nick vs. the Brick of Ick! ❄️ This little guy is basically a snowball… on sticks. Because apparently that’s all you need to command an army of slime-fighting aliens. #indiedev #gamedev #indiegame #gameart #characterdesign

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Nick vs the Brick of Ick started with two completely different ideas. Nic had a game about slimes battling in lanes & I had an old children's book pitch called Nick vs the Brick of Ick. We put them together & somehow we made a pretty fun game. #gamedev #indiegame #illustration

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Over the weekend, I started drawing some Ocarina of Time art, and it just kept growing… and growing… and now it’s way too much. Hopefully I’ll actually finish it by the time the remake comes out. #loz #tloz #zelda #zeldafanart #ocarinaoftime

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Big milestone for Nick vs. the Brick of Ick! Our demo has been approved by Steam, so we're getting very close to putting it in people's hands for a playtest. #IndieGame #IndieDev #GameDev #Deckbuilder

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

My monthly newsletter just went out! I shared updates on the video game & graphic novel I’m working on, plus some free wallpapers. A great way to follow along without me having to fight the social media algorithm. Subscribe here! #kidlitart #graphicnovel #illustration #indiedev normgrock.com/free/

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Hey #kidlitartpostcard! I’m Norm, an illustrator in Oregon. I’m available for PB, MG, cover, & graphic novel projects, especially author-illustrating graphic novels. My first graphic novel, GameLad, is coming out in 2027! Since it’s almost 🎃, here’s a spooky pic! #kidlitart #kidlit #illustration

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Nick vs. the Brick of Ick beta testing is coming soon! Here’s a look at one of our battle units: Infantry! A cheap melee soldier that walks forward and attacks anything in its way. Simple. Cheap. DEADLY!!! Wishlist it on Steam! #IndieGame #IndieDev #GameDev #Deckbuilder

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

It's depressing watching websites I used to love turn into one stop AI slop shops. Looking at you, Pinterest and Etsy. #humanart #noai

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

A little behind-the-scenes look at Nick vs. the Brick of Ick's slime sprites. We're getting closer to having something ready for people to play, which means lots of testing and tweaking. #indiedev #gamedev #gameart

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

A few years ago I had an idea for a children's book that never went anywhere. Now that same idea has turned into an indie video game. You never know what ideas might come back someday. #indiedev #gamedev #indiegame

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Very cool! 🎃 Fairy House Halloween was highlighted in Shelf Awareness Extra!: Halloween Edition! Always exciting to see the book getting some Halloween love! 🧚‍♀️👻 @chooseadventure.bsky.social #kidlit #childrensbooks #illustration

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Made some little 2" x 2" handouts for Nick vs. the Brick of Ick to pass out at PIGSquad! It’s awesome having physical pieces to give out. it makes the game’s beta release feel much more tangible. #indiedev #gamedev #indiegame

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I just finished the intro cutscene for Nick vs. the Brick of Ick! I wanted to give the game a comic-book feel, so the intro is fully illustrated in a comic style. Super happy with how it came together! #comicart #comicbookartist #indiedev #gamedev #indiegame #illustration

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Meet some of the NPCs from Nick vs. the Brick of Ick! These four characters can give you new cards and upgrades during your run. I'm having a lot of fun giving each of them their own personality. #indiedev #gamedev #gameart

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

My buddy Nick and I are making a game! Nick vs. the Brick of Ick puts a new spin on deckbuilders with a Saturday morning cartoon aesthetic. Today I’m working on attack, hit, and damage frames for our slimes! #indiedev #indiegame #IndieGameDev #2dgame #screenshotsaturday

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

GameLad is finally available for pre-order! You can order it from most of your favorite bookstores. No pressure, but pre-orders really do help. They let publishers know how many copies to print. So... do with that information what you will. 👍 #kidlit #KidLitUk #graphicnovelcommunity #KidsGN📚💬

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Another Comic-Con highlight was stopping by the Oni Press booth and meeting some of the people behind GameLad. I got super excited when I saw it was up for pre-order! Forgot to take a pic, so here’s me and some Pokémon instead.

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Nick vs. the Brick of Ick puts a new spin on deckbuilders! Build a powerful deck of slimes, deploy them in battle, and create game-breaking combos. Equip your slimes, outsmart enemy commanders, and dominate the battlefield. #Gamedev #Gamedesign #Indygame

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I made some GameLad phone wallpapers! 📱🎮 If you want one, they're free to download from the freebies page on my website. #phonewallpapers #art #wallpaper #graphicnovel

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I've been secretly working on a video game, NicK vs. the Brick of Ick! Think Plants vs zombies with cards! I've been creating the characters, cards, enemies, and world. Can't wait to finally share more about it! #gamedev #indiedev #indiegame

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Hello #KidLitArtPostcard Day friends! I’m Norm, an author/illustrator in the Pacific Northwest. I make kidlit books and #GraphicNovel. My first #MiddleGrade GN Gamelad is coming out next year. Portfolio: www.normgrock.com Rep: @pterlip.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart #Comics #Illustration

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Had a great time at @mrwolfcomics.bsky.social's book launch at @powells.bsky.social! Loved hearing about how the new book came about and watching the live drawing. Congrats on the release... and I may have to steal the zine idea for my own book launch.

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

One of my favorite parts of Comic-Con was meeting artists I admired. This year I got to talk to @mikemaihack.com and @seangallowayart.bsky.social. Mike even signed a book for my boys, which made bringing it home even more special. My son has already read it 3 times.

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Reposted by Norm Grock

Aron Nels Steinke @mrwolfcomics.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

My new book is out today! I’ll be at @powells.bsky.social Cedar Hills Crossing in Beaverton, OR at 7 PM tonight to celebrate.

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

YES! More Gurihiru art please.

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

We just showed my sons the first episode of Thundercats a few days ago.

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Reposted by Norm Grock

Charlene Chua @charlenedraws.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Reminder that this Thursday is the August #KidLitArtPostcard ! #kidlit #illustration

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Hey companies at SDCC, go ahead and spend millions of dollars on your booth, but for my money this was the best booth at San Diego Comic con in 2026. Rhode Montijo’s cardboard booth was so fun, So creative.

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Last weekend I had the chance to speak on a Choose Your Own Adventure panel at San Diego Comic-Con. I was pretty nervous at first, but after a few laughs from the audience I settled in. It ended up being one of the highlights of my weekend. Pretty sure that's my "I just made a joke" face.

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

10 years ago, I never would've thought I would go to #sdcc. This year, I sat on a panel talking about the books I helped create, then catch up with the team behind my #graphicnovel at the #onipress Booth. Sometimes it's worth stopping to notice how far you've come. Which is something I'm bad at.

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Twenty-year-old me would have absolutely lost his mind knowing he'd one day be speaking on a panel in a full room at San Diego Comic-Con. #sdcc

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

I'll be speaking at San Diego Comic-Con this Saturday! 🎉 If you're at #SDCC, come check out our Choose Your Own Adventure panel! I'll be talking about the illustration process and how these books come to life. Hope to see you there! #ComicCon #ChooseYourOwnAdventure #KidLit #Illustration

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Reposted by Norm Grock

Ernie Estrella @ernieestrella.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

At #SDCC I am moderating 2 panels on SAT 7/25: The #ChoseYourOwnAdventure Panel w/ @jendiagammon.bsky.social @normgrock.bsky.social @kazimali.bsky.social & Shannon Gilligan Ever wonder How a #CYOA Book is made? Come find out and have fun! Saturday 12:30-1:30PM ROOM 10 Details in the pic below

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

I'll be speaking at #SDCC2026! Join me Saturday at 12:30 AM for "How Does a #ChooseYourOwnAdventure Book Get Made?" I'll be talking about illustrating CYOA books with Shannon Gilligan, @jendiagammon.bsky.social, Kazim Ali, and moderator @ernieestrella.bsky.social #KidLit #Illustration #ComicCon

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Happy Book Birthday to my latest Choose Your Own Adventure Kids book, Fairy House Halloween! 🎉🎃 My copies just arrived, and I'm so excited to finally have them in hand! Grab yourself a copy wherever books are sold! #kidlit #bookbirthday @starlingliterary.bsky.social @chooseadventure.bsky.social

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Halloween hits early with my 6th @chooseadventure.bsky.social Kids book, Fairy House Halloween! Packed with spooky twists, fun choices, and colorful illustrations. Available wherever books are sold! #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitillustration

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

More press for GameLad. So amazing that it’s finally getting out into the world.

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ComicBuzz @comicbuzz.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Oni Press Announce GameLad comicbuzz.com/oni-press-an... @normgrock.bsky.social @oni-press.bsky.social #graphicnovel

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Norm Grock @normgrock.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

HEY EVERYONE! I'm thrilled to finally share this: my middle-grade graphic novel GAMELAD is coming from @oni-press.bsky.social. The press release, cover and a 10 page preview just dropped. goodcomicsforkids.slj.com/2026/06/22/e... #GraphicNovel #KidLit @starlingliterary.bsky.social

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