I wonder if they did this deliberately. It could work in two ways: either subliminally triggering interest with a bit of sly sexual innuendo, or causing a conscious WTF? PENIS MAGAZINE? reaction and thus causing people to look again. Or maybe both.
I have been exposed to media marketing through some friends in the business, doing this deliberately is not out of the question. The eye-catcher on the front cover is crucial in getting the sales at the supermarket checkout queue.
Which reminds me of my favourite cover lead:
"Feng Shui your handbag".
I didn't buy it.