You may not care about all the drama that happens in the average teens life but to them it is everything. It is not pointless that his powers suddenly give him the ability to deal with bullies and the confidence to ask the hot chick out. In fact it is the exact opposite, this is escapism fantasy and the fantasy of suddenly being able to fight back against bullies and talk to hot chicks is one of the reason the character has so much appeal. The entire YA genre is built around dealing with bullies, being true to your friends, have to deal with well meaning but clueless parents and getting the hot chick/guy.

I agree that it was nice to skip the back story but Marvel kept in his young twenties for decades so he could appeal to a specific audience and he still appeals to them.