Record breaker! Idris Elba becomes the first ever solo male cover star for Maxim magazine

By Ross Mcdonagh For Dailymail.com

Published: 22:49 EST, 4 August 2015 | Updated: 01:54 EST, 5 August 2015

Most men would be ecstatic to break a world record in a lifetime.

Idris Elba just broke his second in less than three months. 

The 42-year-old has become the first ever male to appear solo on the cover of Maxim Magazine.

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Elba room: Idris Elba has become the first ever solo male cover star for Maxim magazine

Elba room: Idris Elba has become the first ever solo male cover star for Maxim magazine

'We've never in US Maxim history had a man on the cover solo,' editor-in-chief Kate Lanphear told Racked on Tuesday.

'This is the very first time, and there was no one else in the world more badass than Idris.'

Although men have appeared on flip covers and have also starred alongside women throughout the mag's 20 year history, a guy has never appeared on his own until this September's issue.

First: Editor-in-chief Kate Lanphear confirmed the 42-year-old was the first man to appear on his own on the front of the mag in its 20 year history

First: Editor-in-chief Kate Lanphear confirmed the 42-year-old was the first man to appear on his own on the front of the mag in its 20 year history

All of the above: Under the fitting headline 'Man Up', it describes its cover star as an 'actor, musician, racecar driver and all-around badass'.

All of the above: Under the fitting headline 'Man Up', it describes its cover star as an 'actor, musician, racecar driver and all-around badass'.

Fashion issue: The man himself looked smoldering on the front in a heavy black and grey animal-print jacket, which matched his trademark salt and pepper beard

Fashion issue: The man himself looked smoldering on the front in a heavy black and grey animal-print jacket, which matched his trademark salt and pepper beard

Under the fitting headline 'Man Up', it describes its cover star as an 'actor, musician, racecar driver and all-around badass'.

The man himself looks smoldering in a heavy black and grey animal-print jacket, which matches his trademark salt and pepper beard.

'For me, he was really the perfect embodiment of what I think the new Maximman is,' Lanphear continued. 'He's multi-dimensional, he's complex, he's sophisticated, but he's down to earth. 

Got it all: The editor described The Wire star as 'multi-dimensional, he's complex, he's sophisticated, but he's down to earth'

Got it all: The editor described The Wire star as 'multi-dimensional, he's complex, he's sophisticated, but he's down to earth'

Stirred, not shaken: In the mag Elba brushed off rumours he is to play the next James Bond

Stirred, not shaken: In the mag Elba brushed off rumours he is to play the next James Bond

Super man: The magazine claim the Luther star 'sort of a living, breathing superhero' who counts among his achievements this year, breaking the British land speed record

Super man: The magazine claim the Luther star 'sort of a living, breathing superhero' who counts among his achievements this year, breaking the British land speed record

'It was funny when on set, I was like, "Is there anything this guy can't do?" -  He's an award-winning actor, he's a DJ, his capsule clothing line for Superdry is about to hit stores. 

'The guy broke the [British] land speed record which hasn't been touched since like 1928. He's sort of a living, breathing superhero,' she said. 

In May The Wire star drove a Bentley Continental GT Speed at 180.361 mph across Pendine Sands in Wales, breaking the 88-year-old record set by Sir Malcolm Campbell in the legendary Blue Bird. 

'I just like the velocity, and I guess I’m slightly addicted to the risk of it,' he told the Maxim

Need for speed: In May the actor drove a Bentley Continental GT Speed at 180.361 mph across Pendine Sands in Wales, breaking the 88-year-old record set by Sir Malcolm Campbell in the legendary Blue Bird

Need for speed: In May the actor drove a Bentley Continental GT Speed at 180.361 mph across Pendine Sands in Wales, breaking the 88-year-old record set by Sir Malcolm Campbell in the legendary Blue Bird

Addict: He told Maxim 'I just like the velocity, and I guess I’m slightly addicted to the risk of it'

Addict: He told Maxim 'I just like the velocity, and I guess I’m slightly addicted to the risk of it'

Elba, who will appear in Star Trek Beyond next year, DJs under the stage name DJ Big Driis. 

He was also heavilly rumoured to become the next James Bond, but he admitted he doesn't think it will happen .

'If I were the Bond producers and everyone was pointing me toward one actor, what’s the surprise in that?' he said. 'Honestly, it’s one of those things that if it should happen, it would be a self-fulfilling prophecy; it would be the will of a nation.' 

Multitalented: Elba also DJs under the stage name DJ Big Driis

Multitalented: Elba also DJs under the stage name DJ Big Driis

Busy: As well as starring in BBC's Luther and Marvel's Cinematic Universe as Heimdall alongside Thor, Elba is also set to appear in Star Trek Beyond next year
Busy: As well as starring in BBC's Luther and Marvel's Cinematic Universe as Heimdall alongside Thor, Elba is also set to appear in Star Trek Beyond next year

Busy: As well as starring in BBC's Luther and Marvel's Cinematic Universe as Heimdall alongside Thor, Elba is also set to appear in Star Trek Beyond next year

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