Olivia Barker

USA TODAY

Elle magazine seems to be covered in controversy lately.

They wrapped Melissa McCarthy in a capacious coat last year. And now for one of four February fronts, they've hacked Mindy Kaling off at the chest and shot her in black and white — while her fellow funny ladies of TV, Allison WIlliams, Amy Poehler and Zooey Deschanel, are pictured full-length and in full color.

And the Internet has taken notice.

"Mindy Kaling's Elle cover looks different from the others," posted Jezebel.

Some readers were more direct: "@ELLEmagazine's cover featuring Mindy Kaling is a post-racial liberal's wet dream. Unfortunately, it's still racist. Try harder Elle."

Others were positively blunt: "@ELLEmagazine Mindy Kaling cover just plain racist and fat-ist. You do not empower women ELLE, you bring them down."

Not helping matters: The verbiage Elle sent out from editor in chief Robbie Myers in their press release heralding the quartet of images. "The covers we shot with Zooey Deschanel, Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler and Allison Williams are all distinctive." Indeed.

This morning, Kaling seemed to defuse (capitalize on?) the perceived photo fail in a tweet, which Elle retweeted: "Wishing for more skin on my @ELLEmagazine cover? Chris Messina & I are naked on a brand new #themindyproject tonight, ya pervs! 930/830 FOX"

Elle's statement? "Mindy looks sexy, beautiful and chic. We think it is a striking and sophisticated cover and are thrilled to celebrate her in our Women in TV Issue."

UPDATE: Kaling has just posted another tweet:

"I love my @ELLEmagazine cover. It made me feel glamorous & cool. And if anyone wants to see more of my body, go on thirteen dates with me."