The only shadow that gets cast on this cover comes from the fact that Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle aren’t on it. There still would have been room for them, on top of the banner that Celestia and Luna hold, appearing behind it like they stand on pedestals, but Andy didn’t include them.  
Which is a shame, they are in the official comics right since the beginning, the comics even started with them. They are the first three ponies that star in the comics, right on the first page of the very first issue (which was even drawn by Andy Price too), so they really would have deserved a spot here.  
It’s an awful neglect that Andy didn’t think of them when drawing the cover. :(

It’s interesting to see the differences here. I didn’t know they still change so much stuff on the cover in the months after giving out the preview for it.

Luna stop nomnoming that banner

Just wait until they get to 100!

oh cool!  
happy anniversery MLP!!! XD

@Beau Skunky  
I actually got that reference

@Beau Skunky  
Good one.

So is this going to be the issue where they finally defeat Dr. Robotnik?