Gone are the days of boys-only sports clubs. Welcome to the twenty-first century, where women come in all shapes and sizes as highly-skilled and respected athletes in many forms. 2015 was a year of highs for athletes, as social media campaigns with strong female role models from stadiums, swimming pools, and auditoriums successfully washed over the Internet.

And with the emergence of iconic superheroes who happen to be female on comic covers (Lady Thor rules!), as well as realistic representations of women in comics like Jessica Jones, it seemed like perfect timing to get Marvel and a few great artists together for this project. EspnW’s IMPACT25 list of top athletes from 2015 includes a powerful principal ballerina (Misty Copeland, image above), a phenomenal tennis legend (Serena Williams), a fandom-centric soccer team (USWNT), a tough movie-star MMA boxer (Ronda Rousey), and a teenage-hotshot snowboarder (Chloe Kim).

Each athlete selected as an IMPACT25 honoree was rewarded with a specific artist and career highlight online. And while these women are undoubtedly gorgeous and in elite physical form, it’s their individual achievements in their sport and art which truly matter. With their remarkable training, dedication, and outreach, these women are living superheroes, having exceeded any and all expectations placed upon them.