Look at that cover! I mean, come on; you look up the word "hardcore" in the dictionary and that's the picture you should see! Team MD's Markus Ruhl, the most popular European bodybuilder, and Branch Warren, the "People's Champion," resting a pair of 200 pound dumbbells on his quads getting ready to hoist them into action. It doesn't get any more hardcore than that.
Everyone can understand Markus Ruhl's popularity position in Europe, and even in the United States. He is a big, freaky monster - perhaps the freakiest in the world. I mean...he does have an "MD Freakazoid Award" sitting on his mantle.
American champions such as Ronnie, Jay, Victor and Dexter, on the other hand, should eclipse Branch. But, you know, the best-selling issue of MD of all time was Branch Warren's. He truly is the people's champion because he embodies the very spirit of blue-collar muscle. Just big, hardcore, heavy-duty workouts and work ethic, combined with his soft-spoken and approachable nature, makes Branch truly the "People's Champion." Together, Branch and Markus nearly tore the gym down. Volume 1 of this four-part "tour de hardcore" starts next month. Bring your barf bag.